Which fuse rating to use in a plug

[JohnW2]

There are obviously both! PNP and NPN versions of germanium, and silicon transistors.

That was certainly eventually true. However, if I recall correctly, at the very start, when there were just germanium ones, they were all PNP. Silicon ones then came along, and were initially all NPN. Whilst we then went on to see the appearance of PNP (as well as NPN) silicon transistors, I must confess that I can't recall there ever having been NPN germanium transistors - but that may just be due to the dust in my brain

 

[JohnW2]

.... there is no longer a RAE exam to take.

Interesting - is that true? I know that it changed into an MCQ jobbie many moons ago, but I didn't realise that it had subsequently gone completely.

If the RAE has gone, what does one have to do to get a licence these days?>

 

[fixitflav]

Fair enough - although start-up currents are so brief, and fuses so (relatively) slow to blow in the face of 'moderate overloads' that I would personally be pretty surprised if there were ever a problem with domestic refrigeration devices.

Yes, but I wouldn't risk a 3-amp fuse in my fridge/freezer while away on holiday.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I must confess that I can't recall there ever having been NPN germanium transistors - but that may just be due to the dust in my brain

Not common, but they did/do exist..

 

[ericmark]

If the RAE has gone, what does one have to do to get a licence these days?

Do a series of courses, and each one allows you to increase the wattage you can use. More practical so maybe better, but when someone comes from another country that does not have a reciprocal agreement, it is a pain having to do it in stages. Course run by radio clubs, and they are also becoming rare.

 

[JohnW2]

Do a series of courses, and each one allows you to increase the wattage you can use.

Interesting. Are there not any 'assessments' (aka exams) associated with these courses -i.e. is mere 'attendance' adequate?

What about us oldies - do I take it that we can use 'maximum permitted wattage'?!

 

[JohnW2]

Yes, but I wouldn't risk a 3-amp fuse in my fridge/freezer while away on holiday.

Probably wise.

Mind you, those around who are a bit paranoid about what might happen whilst they are aware on holiday might have to try to consider some alternative (not simple!) to leaving their freezer on whilst they are away. A few years back, the freezer of a 'friend of a friend' apparently 'burst into flames' whilst he was on holiday. Fortunately, it was in an outhouse (which was destroyed by the fire) but had it been in his house ...... !!

 

[ericmark]

Interesting. Are there not any 'assessments' (aka exams) associated with these courses -i.e. is mere 'attendance' adequate?

What about us oldies - do I take it that we can use 'maximum permitted wattage'?!

Yes, there is an exam, but it was a long time ago when it changed, and yes us old ones can use max wattage, although not sure measured in watts any more, I am rather out of touch.

 

[JohnW2]

Yes, there is an exam, but it was a long time ago when it changed, and yes us old ones can use max wattage, although not sure measured in watts any more, I am rather out of touch.

I think it changed (at least for most bands) from power input to ERP (but still in Watts) an awfully long time ago, didn't it? I don't suppose you are as 'out of touch' as I am - I'm not far off 60 years of RSGB membership The available bands are, of course, now very different from (and more numerous than) what we were brought up on!

 

[Deleted member 142255]

I think it changed (at least for most bands) from power input to ERP (but still in Watts) an awfully long time ago, didn't it? I don't suppose you are as 'out of touch' as I am - I'm not far off 60 years of RSGB membership The available bands are, of course, now very different from (and more numerous than) what we were brought up on!

Strange how when Pete01 and me went off topic you got upset, yet it appears ok for you to do it.

 

[JohnW2]

Strange how when Pete01 and me went off topic you got upset, yet it appears ok for you to do it.

As far as I am concerned, it's OK for anyone to 'do it' (unless the mods disagree), so you don't need to feel inhibited. I have very probably been the most prolific culprit as regards 'off-topic' discussions here for about 14years - and I don't criticise myself for that

However, my personal view is there's a big difference between 'serious off-topic discussion' of topics of mutual interest to some members and general chit-chat/whatever, which I feel is more appropriate in the many platforms designed for such things.

However, I certainly don't loose any sleep over any of this, and have no difficulty in ignoring exchanges which are of no interest to me - and you should feel free to use this forum in any way that the mods allow, since I am no arbiter (or 'policer') of that.

 

[Deleted member 142255]

As far as I am concerned, it's OK for anyone to 'do it' (unless the mods disagree), so you don't need to feel inhibited. I have very probably been the most prolific culprit as regards 'off-topic' discussions here for about 14years - and I don't criticise myself for that

However, my personal view is there's a big difference between 'serious off-topic discussion' of topics of mutual interest to some members and general chit-chat/whatever, which I feel is more appropriate in the many platforms designed for such things.

However, I certainly don't loose any sleep over any of this, and have no difficulty in ignoring exchanges which are of no interest to me - and you should feel free to use this forum in any way that the mods allow, since I am no arbiter (or 'policer') of that.

I don't feel inhibited at all. But you got quite upset about our conversation which may have been in the wrong section. Yours is completely off topic and has nothing to do with the OP's question.

 

[securespark]

It's very inconvenient, if your fridge, or freezer circuit develops a fault, when that circuit is a shared one which includes much of the house. For the normal householder, it becomes a very real problem, if the circuit will not reset, and they have to wait a week to get an electrician to attend, and just hope they have the skills to find the issue.

It's also inconvenient if the things are on their own circuit and it's not immediately apparent they have gone off.

But I am a very happy camper on the separating stuff side of the field.

It may only happen once in a blue moon, but that's good enough for me.

I'd have RCBOs, separate stuff as much as possible, get rid of s*dding ring finals (they're a PIA and unnecessary in most situations) and put washing machines tumble dryers, boilers, fridges, freezers, etc on their own radials. Shock horror.

 

[JohnW2]

I don't feel inhibited at all. But you got quite upset about our conversation which may have been in the wrong section.

I think you are probably too sensitive. It takes an awful lot to get me upset, certainly a lot more than you. I merely 'observed' that things were happening in this forum that I hadn't really seen in well over a decade - so, 'just observing' and not 'upset' at all'!

Yours is completely off topic and has nothing to do with the OP's question.

It is - and, although it occasionally attracts some flak or criticism, I have been doing that continuously very extensively throughout the 14 years I've been here! Mind you, I sometimes even criticise others for taking discussions 'off-topic', but nearly always because of their 'timing' - since I feel it only fair that we should do all we can to answer (or, at least address) an OP's question(s) as fully as possible before we allow discussion to drift onto matters which may have little or nothing to do with (and therefore probably wouldn't interest) the OP and his/her questions(s).

 

[JohnW2]

It's also inconvenient if the things are on their own circuit and it's not immediately apparent they have gone off.

Quite so. It's that bit of 134.1 that Harry quoted (about 'minimising inconvenience') that results in most of the debate and differences of opinion - since one man's 'serious inconvenience' is another man's 'trivial annoyance, once in a blue moon'.

But I am a very happy camper on the separating stuff side of the field. ... It may only happen once in a blue moon, but that's good enough for me.

As I've said, I'm also a great believer of separating stuff - which is why I have such a (some would say 'ridiculous'!) number of circuits in my house!

However, the point I've been making is that there are some things which I personally feel are best not the only one thing on a dedicated circuit.

I'd have RCBOs, separate stuff as much as possible, get rid of s*dding ring finals (they're a PIA and unnecessary in most situations) and put washing machines tumble dryers, boilers, fridges, freezers, etc on their own radials. Shock horror.

As I've said, in many senses it's fair enough to go as far as one wants in the direction of "one circuit for every hard-wired load and one circuit for every socket - although, if one wants to avoid 'getting too silly', one needs to decide 'where to draw the line' ... BUT, as above, it still remains my view that there are some things which I personally feel are best not the only one thing on a dedicated circuit.