FIRE & ELECTRICAL SAFETY PLUGGING THE GAP
Electrical Safety First’s own Plug Checker safety tool, originally designed to help trading standards identify potentially dangerous or counterfeit electrical items, has been awarded design copyright. ESF tell us more.
Electrical Safety First’s Plug has just been granted a design copyright, providing protection against unlicensed copying.
As part of the charity’s work in supporting enforcement agencies, Electrical Safety First created a UK plug checker, as defective or foreign plugs can often indicate that a product is fake or sub-standard. The tool has proven so successful with Trading Standards Officers that it has now been distributed to every TS office and Fire and Rescue Service Centre in the UK.
Martyn Allen, Head of Electrical Safety First’s Electro-Technical Department, commented: “We wanted to create something simple that would help those on the front line to identify non- compliant and potentially dangerous products.
“For example, the checker was used extensively by Trading Standards to identify and remove dangerous hover boards, which hit the headlines last Christmas – many of which carried non-compliant plugs. Sub-standard and counterfeit electrical plugs can be deadly, so we are delighted that we have now obtained a copyright on this easy-to-use tool, which has been such a resounding success.”
The Plug checker allows users to undertake three simple checks relating to the placement, shape and length of the plug’s pins. Should the plug fail on any of these tests, the Charity recommend that the appliance should not be used. Common products which can carry substandard plugs, include: chargers, travel adapters, hair straighteners, fans, kitchen appliances and power tools
PLUG SAFETY It’s a good idea to check plugs and plug wires regularly. Plugs and their cables can be damaged with use. Here’s how to check the common, square- pin 13-amp plug used in all modern
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appliances such as hairdryers, vacuum cleaners and microwaves.
With the plug removed from the socket, check the cable:
• Is the cable securely attached to the appliance and the plug?
• Is the cable cut, nicked or damaged in any way?
• There should be no joints and no repairs with insulating tape.
Then check the plug:
• Look for cracks or damage on the casing.
• Look for signs of overheating, such as discoloured casing or cable.
• Check the plug meets British Standard BS 1363 – it will be marked on the back.
• Check that the plug cable is firmly clamped into the plug and no coloured plug wires are showing.
For plugs that did not come fitted to the appliance, check that the cable is connected correctly and then remove the plug from the socket, and remove the cover.
PLUG COLOURS Check plug wires:
• The brown (previously red) plug wire goes to live (L).
• The blue (previously black) plug wire goes to neutral (N).
• The green and yellow (previously green) wire goes to earth (E).
• The cord clamp holds the cable securely and that both of the screws are tight.
• The screws holding the three plug wires are tight.
• The fuse is the correct size and meets British Standard BS 1362 – see the manufacturer's instructions if you are not sure what fuse to use.
• The fuse clips securely into its holder. It should not be loose and there should be no signs of overheating.
Replace the cover securely.
A NOTE ON PLUG FUSES A common UK plug is generally fitted with a 3A or 13A fuse. For appliances up to 700w you need to use a 3A fuse and for appliances over 700w you need to use a 13A fuse. For example:
3A Fuse – Table lamp, standard lamp, television, video, computer, mixer, blender, fridge, freezer, power drill, jig saw, soldering iron
13A Fuse – Washing machine, dishwasher, microwave, kettle, toaster, iron
Manufacturers have now standardised plug fuse ratings to be either 3A or 13A. However, 5 Amp fuses are still used in some older equipment and are available to buy.
Electrical Safety First have developed a plug pin gauge which allows the user to perform some quick checks to help identify a sub-standard or counterfeit plug.
www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk www.tomorrowshs.com
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