Installing Schuko socket
Scott
before (though I cannot find any mention).
I would quite like a Schuko socket in my utility room for a couple of
appliances fitted with europlugs. I appreciate that continental plugs
are unfused so I can't connect the socket direct to a 32 amp ring
main. I was thinking of making it a spur, protected by a 13 amp fuse.
I believe the continental practice is to use a 16 amp fuse on a radial
circuit. I assume that a Schuko socket would not comply with UK
regulations so I would want to be able to replace it with a standard
socket if I ever sell the property. I've not had much success finding
Schuko sockets for sale (with a suggestion that they cannot be
supplied in the UK). Does anyone know if a Schuko socket would fit a
UK box (the extra deep version). Does this sound like a plan, or am I
just asking for trouble?
Bob Minchin
to do what you want without the risk of falling foul of either
regulations or insurance problems in the event of a dispute.
ARWadsworth
Illuminated
just change the plugs on the appliances ?
"Scott" wrote in message news:v10257t02bkb60jeb...@4ax.com...
Scott
wrote:
>Not wishing to be a "smart ass" but is there any good reason why you can't
>just change the plugs on the appliances ?
>
None at all. Just a bit of fun and a desire to be different !
tin...@isbd.co.uk
As another reply has pointed out Schuko sockets are readily available
from CPC (and from eBay where I bought some recently).
As regards legality, insurance, etc. according the EU legislation as I
understand it anything thatg conforms with the wiring regulations of
one EU country is automatically legal in another. Hence I could (if I
had a house in France) wire it entirely to UK standards and it would
(in the legal sense) be acceptable.
Thus single Schuko (or other) outlets are perfectly legal in the UK as
long as they're appropriately protected.
... further to that I'm pretty sure MK make French and Schuko sockets
for use in the UK, they match the rest of their range.
--
Chris Green
Scott
Thanks. I've found them now:
http://www.mkelectric.com/en-my/Products/WD/white/logicplus/socketoutlets/16AMPtwopin/Pages/K4152WHI.aspx
though ominously marked 'Non UK' and 'Reason for sale will be
requested' so there could be a problem buying one.
Andrew Gabriel
tin...@isbd.co.uk writes:
> Scott <newsg...@gefion.myzen.co.uk> wrote:
>> On Sun, 21 Aug 2011 16:02:58 +0100, "Illuminated" <as...@getreal.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> >Not wishing to be a "smart ass" but is there any good reason why you can't
>> >just change the plugs on the appliances ?
>> >
>> None at all. Just a bit of fun and a desire to be different !
>
> As another reply has pointed out Schuko sockets are readily available
> from CPC (and from eBay where I bought some recently).
>
> As regards legality, insurance, etc. according the EU legislation as I
> understand it anything thatg conforms with the wiring regulations of
> one EU country is automatically legal in another.
I don't think it's that simple. I think you can choose to wire a whole
building to another EU country's standards providing they are CENELEC
now harmonised. I don't think that means you can grab just a few wiring
accessories and mix and match. However, I've never actually seen the
rules in writing.
> Hence I could (if I
> had a house in France) wire it entirely to UK standards and it would
> (in the legal sense) be acceptable.
It seems several people have done that, and it is acceptable.
Of course, inherent in UK wiring accessories is the assumption that
one of the two live conductors is neutral, as is always the case in
the UK on 2-wire 230V supplies. That isn't the case in all places
in France, where there are a few areas where neither live conductor
is neutral, in which case UK wiring would be unsuitable. In some
other EU countries, supplies with no neutral are even more common.
(This is one reason that having polarised connectors makes no sense
in some EU areas.)
> Thus single Schuko (or other) outlets are perfectly legal in the UK as
> long as they're appropriately protected.
>
> ... further to that I'm pretty sure MK make French and Schuko sockets
> for use in the UK, they match the rest of their range.
MK's products and the UK wiring accessory patress size are used in
many countries other than the UK (though not in Europe AFAIK, except
Ireland, which has similar wiring regs to UK, but do seem to allow
the combined Schuko/French socket outlet too at least in hotels and
offices - don't know about in the home).
--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]
harry
Just cut the stupid inferior European plug off and fit a proper one.
Why go to all the trouble and expense? Have you time to waste?
You may find the appliance does not comply with other UK standards
also.
Why bother fetching it over here?