Plug fuses

PMBC

I see a lot of 13 amp and very few 3 amp on appliances. For example an electric iron which says 2400W, which I assume is max., what kind of protection does that need? Can someone explain the theoretical side of this - I understand the W=VA bit but am lost after that. So if voltage here is 220v, that iron at max 2400W should take about 11 amps and a 13 amp fuse protects it if overloaded/above that? Apart from heavy items such as electric kettles, irons etc. shold items usually be protected with 3 A plug top fuses/

colm_mcm

Basically Amps = watts/voltage

As a rule of thumb, fuses are rated according to the power rating of the appliance. Plugs for appliances rated up to about 700 watts should have a 3 amp fuse (coloured red). Plugs for appliances rated between about 700 watts and 3000 watts (the maximum rating of a wall socket) should be fitted with a 13 amp fuse (coloured brown). (Some older appliances were fitted with 5 amp fuses (coloured black), which are still available to buy.

http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guides-and-advice/electrical-items/amps-and-watts/

Risteard81

It should be remembered that the plug fuse is only there to protect the supply flex to the appliance and not the appliance itself. So with a fixed load it only really needs to provide fault protection.

The BS 1362 standard for plugtop fuses allows a flex with a cross-sectional area of 0.75mm^2 and a length not exceeding 2m in length to be protected by a 13A fuse where a moulded plug is used rather than a rewireable plug.

coylemj

PMBC wrote: »

Apart from heavy items such as electric kettles, irons etc. shold items usually be protected with 3 A plug top fuses/

You can also buy 5A fuses for the standard domestic plug. The instruction manual for your appliance should tell you the appropriate fuse to use if you're changing the power lead or the plug. You'll find them on the accessories rack in your local electrical store.....

Joe1919

Items with electric motors (like fridges & freezers & pumps) often have 13 amp fuses in plug tops to prevent them blowing, as the electric motors can take in an initial surge of high current when starting.

http://www.rospa.com/home-safety/uk/northern-ireland/electricity/plugs-fuses/choosing-fuses/