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Post by patty on Apr 23, 2018 8:55:26 GMT
I didn't have any 3 pin plugs like those in my boat...I've always regarded them as old fashioned as I've only ever seen them in old houses....I'm sure many boats probably do have them...
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Post by naughtyfox on Apr 23, 2018 10:49:08 GMT
Knowing nuffin' about boat electrics, I assume this is what everybody has for things that need to be plugged in to the 12v system? We have 3 sockets like this - 2 up front by the cratch wall, 1 in the kitchen. We also have three double-sockets for the 240v system, for when we can get shore power, but that's a completely different circuit. also I think an electrician would be fairly horrified by it. Nah... why? It's only 12v and only for lights, what does it matter if a mains plug is used? Designed to withstand 240v but only got 12v going through it, and not many 'currants' as it's only for a light. These circuits come from the switch+fuse panel anyway.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2018 11:11:29 GMT
My mother-in-law lived in a modern well equipped 'sheltered flat' for a while. Most rooms had a round 3 pin socket that I was surprised to see as I associated them with old wiring. When I asked about them it was explained that they were provided via a different circuit that was designed for very important equipment and were connected to a far more robust backup power supply that was capable of supplying things like dialysis machines for 12 hours but not all capable of supplying all residents cooking etc needs. Seemed like a good arrangement to me.
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Post by JohnV on Apr 23, 2018 11:31:51 GMT
the 3 pin 2 amp plug/skt is often used in hotels for table lamps etc. Often these are switched from a central position.
Using a 2 amp socket prevents all but the most determined Darwinian from plugging in hairdriers, hair straighteners, or vacuum cleaners.
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Post by deadly on Apr 23, 2018 12:23:34 GMT
I have no idea are these things 'old' or are these plugs & sockets still 'nowadays'.. They're an old design, but they've never been allowed to die out because there's still applications for them. In the past 30 years the market for non-standard mains connectors has grown, and the number of different incompatible types available has increased. the ordinary BS1363 13A mains plug we're all familiar with is now available in at least 6 special variants to my knowledge, but the old round pin stuff just keeps on going because every sparky from the last half century is familiar with it and it's the first thing that springs to mind any time a "non-standard" is needed. I'm not sure there's any actual rule but the way it seems to go is if just one or two specials are needed then round pins get used but if it's a big fit-out such as cleaning sockets in a hotel, sockets in a prison or protected supply in a hospital / server room then BS1363-derived types get used. A lot of 2A is used in places where they don't want people turning up and plugging their own stuff in because they don't want the existing equipment unplugged (seen often on mains powered wall clocks and clocking-in machines in the workplace but don't mistake it for the similar looking 2 pin special historically used on clocks by the railways and underground). Some university halls of residence are using the 5A round pin connectors to try and prevent students using their own kettles and toasters although the students don't normally take long to figure it out. There's still a lot of stage lighting gear using the old legacy round pin 15A connectors as well (which is why I have dozens of them). I think an electrician would be fairly horrified by it. Indeed, I cringe every time I see a mains rated connector or switch used for a DC application. I spend a lot of my time cringing at other people's boats, motorhomes, caravans. There are a lot of switches out there which will handle 240VAC at a reasonable load but will fail early if used with DC at more than a few percent of their AC rating. Having said that, these round pin 2A connectors seem to be fine with DC, I've seen one deliver 12v 10A into a heated jacket liner for a prolonged period with no ill effects.
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