"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article
ws.net,
:::Jerry:::: wrote:
UK extension cords are supplied with the correct fuse fitted to
the
plug to prevent any such nonsense.

But how many idiots then put the wrong rating of fuse in when
they
try to use a 5amp extension to supply a 3Kw fire.

How many people would run a 3kW fire from an extension? But in any
case,
the extension will be clearly marked with its maximum load. If an
idiot
doesn't understand that then perhaps Darwin should apply?

Perhaps, but then things are meant to be made safer, if Darwinism is
the way to go - bare wires straight off the meter and crock-clips
around the house....


That could not happen if the protection device was back at the
board
and needed more than a dining table knife blade to open...

IMO radial circuits were far safer from abuse, although they were
more expencive to implement correctly, the ring circuit (as used
in
the UK) is a 'one size fits all' solution that is wide open to
abuse.

No it's not if the guidelines are followed. If it were 'open to
abuse' it
would have been superseded.


There is nothing to stop any idiot, who can open a plug, replacing a
3amp fuse with the shank of a 8mm bolt, with radial circuits and
final protection back at the distribution board that is not so easy,
especially if that final protection is via circuit breakers - so yes,
the final 'ring circuit' is wide open to abuse. It was years before
all appliances came pre-fitted with plugs and the correct fuse, how
many people fitted a plug without then changing the supplied 13amp
fuse to the correct lower rating?...

As I said, the final ring circuit is a 'one size fits all' solution
that is open to abuse.