The MK Safety plug
Discussion
When I was a maintenance engineer one of my tasks every six months was to check the tightness of all 13A plug terminals.
Surprisingly I often found screws had loosened off despite being checked regularly over the years.
I was told this was due to the 50Hz mains frequency vibrating them loose, I am not sure if this was a leg pull or not, but I found plenty of loosish screws over the years.
Surprisingly I often found screws had loosened off despite being checked regularly over the years.
I was told this was due to the 50Hz mains frequency vibrating them loose, I am not sure if this was a leg pull or not, but I found plenty of loosish screws over the years.
kev b said:
When I was a maintenance engineer one of my tasks every six months was to check the tightness of all 13A plug terminals.
Surprisingly I often found screws had loosened off despite being checked regularly over the years.
I was told this was due to the 50Hz mains frequency vibrating them loose, I am not sure if this was a leg pull or not, but I found plenty of loosish screws over the years.
More likely to be hot/cold expansion & Contraction.Surprisingly I often found screws had loosened off despite being checked regularly over the years.
I was told this was due to the 50Hz mains frequency vibrating them loose, I am not sure if this was a leg pull or not, but I found plenty of loosish screws over the years.
V8A*ndy said:
Paul Drawmer said:
Also - please look at this for dangerous non-complying plug - they have a fake CE marking, but it doesn't make them safe.
http://www.nickhill.co.uk/unfused_plugs_in_uk_deli...
Them things are everywhere. Mostly come with chargers for toys and other electronic bits of kit.http://www.nickhill.co.uk/unfused_plugs_in_uk_deli...
Cut them off and bin them immediately.
Alucidnation said:
gottans said:
Worth bearing in mind that the uk 13A plug is fused, the plug is fused because our wiring standard uses the ring main rated at 32A.
The european schuko plug and us plugs are not fused because the building wiring is different. Using plugs without fuses in uk buildings represents a very serious hazard to life and property plus a darwin award entry.
bThe european schuko plug and us plugs are not fused because the building wiring is different. Using plugs without fuses in uk buildings represents a very serious hazard to life and property plus a darwin award entry.
ks.If you think I am wrong then please provide a counter-argument rather than just dismiss the statement.
gottans said:
Alucidnation said:
gottans said:
Worth bearing in mind that the uk 13A plug is fused, the plug is fused because our wiring standard uses the ring main rated at 32A.
The european schuko plug and us plugs are not fused because the building wiring is different. Using plugs without fuses in uk buildings represents a very serious hazard to life and property plus a darwin award entry.
bThe european schuko plug and us plugs are not fused because the building wiring is different. Using plugs without fuses in uk buildings represents a very serious hazard to life and property plus a darwin award entry.
ks.If you think I am wrong then please provide a counter-argument rather than just dismiss the statement.
dmsims said:
V8A*ndy said:
Paul Drawmer said:
Also - please look at this for dangerous non-complying plug - they have a fake CE marking, but it doesn't make them safe.
http://www.nickhill.co.uk/unfused_plugs_in_uk_deli...
Them things are everywhere. Mostly come with chargers for toys and other electronic bits of kit.http://www.nickhill.co.uk/unfused_plugs_in_uk_deli...
Cut them off and bin them immediately.
Morningside said:
techiedave said:
Brother D said:
I'm saying this while looking down at my wife's american hairdryer with the exposed live terminals. In the bathroom. Next to the sink.
Bro Ive been there had dark thoughts but its not worth it. Relationships work themselves out eventually, rigging an accident just ain't the way to deal with it
deserves another.What a great thread. As part of my O-Level design project (some 30 years ago
) one assessed part was to draw, assess and recommend any changes to the design of a UK plug.It was a hard assessment to complete as I'm not particularly talented in arty stuff. Having spent hours and hours gazing at the thing, trying to draw it and contemplating how it could be improved, I concluded it's actually perfection.
I couldn't find anything wrong with it apart from the time it takes wire one. Then considering the life time of its use verses the time required to properly prepare the cable it's still the best.
An amazing piece of design, and these days the only criticism would be don't make it cheap in China.
I got 94% in my O-Level design - never did find out where the other 2% & 2% and 2% went.
gottans said:
Alucidnation said:
gottans said:
Worth bearing in mind that the uk 13A plug is fused, the plug is fused because our wiring standard uses the ring main rated at 32A.
The european schuko plug and us plugs are not fused because the building wiring is different. Using plugs without fuses in uk buildings represents a very serious hazard to life and property plus a darwin award entry.
bThe european schuko plug and us plugs are not fused because the building wiring is different. Using plugs without fuses in uk buildings represents a very serious hazard to life and property plus a darwin award entry.
ks.If you think I am wrong then please provide a counter-argument rather than just dismiss the statement.
However, the fuse in the plug top is designed to protect the cable attached to the appliance.
TheExcession said:
What a great thread. As part of my O-Level design project (some 30 years ago ) one assessed part was to draw, assess and recommend any changes to the design of a UK plug.
It was a hard assessment to complete as I'm not particularly talented in arty stuff. Having spent hours and hours gazing at the thing, trying to draw it and contemplating how it could be improved, I concluded it's actually perfection.
I couldn't find anything wrong with it apart from the time it takes wire one. Then considering the life time of its use verses the time required to properly prepare the cable it's still the best.
An amazing piece of design, and these days the only criticism would be don't make it cheap in China.
I got 94% in my O-Level design - never did find out where the other 2% & 2% and 2% went.
I'd set the plug to one side and consider how to design a single combined tool with which to wire it; something that unscrews/screws, strips large and small insulation and can trim the wires - any thoughts? ) one assessed part was to draw, assess and recommend any changes to the design of a UK plug.It was a hard assessment to complete as I'm not particularly talented in arty stuff. Having spent hours and hours gazing at the thing, trying to draw it and contemplating how it could be improved, I concluded it's actually perfection.
I couldn't find anything wrong with it apart from the time it takes wire one. Then considering the life time of its use verses the time required to properly prepare the cable it's still the best.
An amazing piece of design, and these days the only criticism would be don't make it cheap in China.
I got 94% in my O-Level design - never did find out where the other 2% & 2% and 2% went.
Dr Doofenshmirtz said:
Gotta say I don't rate those MK plugs at all...couple of issues:
1] As you screw down on the cable, despite the washer that is supposed to hold the cable in place, they invariably grab on and pull the cable round the screw.
2] If you screw down too hard (sometimes not that hard), the screw simply snaps off because it's clamped down at an angle.
I'm not that struck on the cable clamps either.
It doesn't and they don't assuming you use the correct technique.1] As you screw down on the cable, despite the washer that is supposed to hold the cable in place, they invariably grab on and pull the cable round the screw.
2] If you screw down too hard (sometimes not that hard), the screw simply snaps off because it's clamped down at an angle.
I'm not that struck on the cable clamps either.
I may start popping up pictures of my retro plugs connection. Just found a Crabtree one which must be from the early 90s. On the Xmas lights that go round the porch there is an early 80s Ashley one (without insulation on the terminals) It might not be the safest plug in our possession but its traditional to use it.
I started the thread partly as a mock anorak and partly as a homage. Most of what I post is tongue in cheek but it doesn't always travel well.
I am also aware that MK did not bring in the safety standards that we have. ( I was messaged about this) I know full well that the safety specifications we have came about after many years of work. I also know that the MK Safety Plug is just a product name but I was just genuinely surprised that a design of a plug brought out in the 80s hadn't altered much in 30 years. Other manufacturers have chopped and changed their designs Mk have stayed true to theirs and if you think about it that doesn't happen much. Over the course of that 30 years TV's have cone from 20/ 22 or 26" cathode ray beasts through FST (flatter Squarer Tubes - remember them ? ) through to the LCD's that we have today. Cassette decks have dies, mini disc and DAT have come and gone. Yet one manufacturer sticks with the same curved shape throughout it all.
I started the thread partly as a mock anorak and partly as a homage. Most of what I post is tongue in cheek but it doesn't always travel well.
I am also aware that MK did not bring in the safety standards that we have. ( I was messaged about this) I know full well that the safety specifications we have came about after many years of work. I also know that the MK Safety Plug is just a product name but I was just genuinely surprised that a design of a plug brought out in the 80s hadn't altered much in 30 years. Other manufacturers have chopped and changed their designs Mk have stayed true to theirs and if you think about it that doesn't happen much. Over the course of that 30 years TV's have cone from 20/ 22 or 26" cathode ray beasts through FST (flatter Squarer Tubes - remember them ? ) through to the LCD's that we have today. Cassette decks have dies, mini disc and DAT have come and gone. Yet one manufacturer sticks with the same curved shape throughout it all.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 10th December 23:18
griffgrog said:
You are correct. Because the UK uses a ring main rated at 32A and the continent use radial circuits rated at 16A, we have to use those horrid UK huge plugs that need to acoomodate a fuse to protect the cord and appliance.
The UK has the best plugs in the world for various reasons. One of which is the fact that you can protect individual appliances with the right spec fuse...anything from 1 amp up to 13 amps. If a fault occurs in your LCD TV, that flex is going to take a while to trip a 16A breaker, if at all. It will more than likely melt and possibly catch fire. A 3A fuse in a UK plug would save the day.
This thread has been a huge surprise. Educational and entertaining.
Until now, I have never spent a moment thinking about our plugs and how clever they actually are compared to european and American versions.
I don't really understand how they can have live electric sockets in the bathroom, though, unless we are just being our usual over-cautious nanny-state.
Until now, I have never spent a moment thinking about our plugs and how clever they actually are compared to european and American versions.
I don't really understand how they can have live electric sockets in the bathroom, though, unless we are just being our usual over-cautious nanny-state.
formula27 said:
The US and other countries are lower voltage so are safer, No?
No no no NO!its nothing to do with the voltage - American sockets have a voltage of 110v which will still provide a nasty bite.
I had a guy say that those building site transformers are 110v so 110v is safer... The reason those building site 110v transformers are safer is that they have a special centre tap ground. The earth is connected to the transformer in such a way as you get 55v from either side, so the likely hood is that you will get a 55v shock rather than 110v. The transformer also isolates the 230v supply from the output.
The electrical installations in the uk are generally done to a much higher standard than other places in the world. its due to regulations and health and safety. but it means that we have a decent electrical system, and installations are generally a lot safer to use and operate.
Interesting data here http://images.google.de/imgres?imgurl=http://www.i...
Later in the article it indicates an 50/50 work/home split. Given Germany seems to have the same injury rate as the UK, then it does not immediately suggest that the "European" system is less safe unless I have interpreted it incorrectly. The WHO has a lot of data about causes of death if you want to wade through it.
Later in the article it indicates an 50/50 work/home split. Given Germany seems to have the same injury rate as the UK, then it does not immediately suggest that the "European" system is less safe unless I have interpreted it incorrectly. The WHO has a lot of data about causes of death if you want to wade through it.
Wacky Racer said:
If you can never remember which colour wire goes where, In the 1980's, I devised this simple rule.
I call it the second letter rule.....
Note:- UK only
sTriped to the Top
bLue to the Left
bRown to the Right.
Saved me from electrocution many times.
Alternatively, I call it the second letter rule.....
Note:- UK only
sTriped to the Top
bLue to the Left
bRown to the Right.
Saved me from electrocution many times.
bLue - Live
Brown - the same colour as earth
Green & yellow - neutral as it's two different colours
Served me well and only had a few near fatal incidents
Morningside said:
mybrainhurts said:
I grew up with the round pin plugs.
Once touched a pin as I was pulling it out.
Never knew flying lessons were so easy. I think I almost made it across the room...
So was I. Even in the 90s my parents still had round pin plugs.Once touched a pin as I was pulling it out.
Never knew flying lessons were so easy. I think I almost made it across the room...
Seems to have returned in the world on theatre. 15 amp I think.
ruggedscotty said:
No no no NO!
its nothing to do with the voltage - American sockets have a voltage of 110v which will still provide a nasty bite.
I had a guy say that those building site transformers are 110v so 110v is safer... The reason those building site 110v transformers are safer is that they have a special centre tap ground. The earth is connected to the transformer in such a way as you get 55v from either side, so the likely hood is that you will get a 55v shock rather than 110v. The transformer also isolates the 230v supply from the output.
The electrical installations in the uk are generally done to a much higher standard than other places in the world. its due to regulations and health and safety. but it means that we have a decent electrical system, and installations are generally a lot safer to use and operate.
Hi thanks for clearing that upits nothing to do with the voltage - American sockets have a voltage of 110v which will still provide a nasty bite.
I had a guy say that those building site transformers are 110v so 110v is safer... The reason those building site 110v transformers are safer is that they have a special centre tap ground. The earth is connected to the transformer in such a way as you get 55v from either side, so the likely hood is that you will get a 55v shock rather than 110v. The transformer also isolates the 230v supply from the output.
The electrical installations in the uk are generally done to a much higher standard than other places in the world. its due to regulations and health and safety. but it means that we have a decent electrical system, and installations are generally a lot safer to use and operate.
But if voltage is not an issue why is 55v safer than 110?
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