In article , Tim Mitchell
writes
In article , sPoNiX
writes
On Thu, 02 Sep 2004 11:23:08 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

In article ,
Stuart Bell wrote:
I recently moved into a flat that, as well as having 'standard' modern
plug sockets, also has some older ones, with holes for three round pins.
I have no idea whether these are live, and guess that I could use one of
those mains tester plugs in order to check whether they're wired up
correctly, but:

a) Are they potentially usable?

If the wiring is all recent, it's common to use this sort of socket for
table lamps etc switched from a wall switch off the normal lighting
circuit.

b) Are there adapter plugs available to plug in equipment with new-style
plugs ... or replacement plugs to connect to the equipment, perhaps?

You can buy plugs from a wholesaler - even some of the larger sheds. But
these sockets - and the wiring - are of a lower rating than the normal 13
amp type - either 2 or 5 amp.

There was/is a 15amp version available as well.

15 amp is widely used in stage/theatre lighting systems, so is still
available and has been updated to have sleeved pins on the plugs,
shuttered sockets etc.

Sleeved pins, shuttered sockets etc are only required for a domestic
environment. If you go to a theatrical-type supplier you can buy the
real thing in its original deadly form :-)

In fact, 5A round pin plug/socketry is occasionally still specified for
new installations in small school/amdram situations. All these are
radial circuits with fast-blow (to protect triac-type dimmers) fuses in
the dimmer pack, which is (usually!) located in a more convenient place
than 30 feet above an audience...

Anybody remember 10A round pin plugs/sockets? I only vaguely remember
references to them as somewhere between (obviously!) 5A and 15A sizes.
At one time you could buy a card of fuse wire with three bits of wire
labelled as 5A for lighting, 10A for heating and 15A for power (whatever
"power" was!).


--
Frank Erskine