Anthony R. Gold wrote:

Anthony R. Gold wrote:
If they don't use a ring mains configuration but a radial system, such as
used in the USA, then wiring can be safely configured without plug fuses.
Whether the wiring is radial or ring makes no difference. What is
important is that fused plugs allow circuit protection at a higher
rating than would be permitted for individual appliances.

I disagree; with a radial system it is possible to protect the appliance
cord at the distribution circuit breaker. That is not possible with a ring
main.

Why not? If you protected your circuit with a 16A MCB (be it radial or
ring) then the appliance flex would be protected at the origin of the
circuit.

You would of course also end up with a bunch of piddly little circuits
not at all well suited to today's pattern of usage.

If we didn't have fused plugs then circuit protection would have to be
at 16A and we would have the problem that they do have in the USA that
if you plug two high power appliances into the 'wrong' combination of
sockets on various circuits the MCB trips.

The fact that an MCB might trip does not demonstrate the system is unsafe.

No, just that the design is not really fit for purpose.


--
Cheers,

John.

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