Tuesday, Jul 09, 2013 at 08:52
The FACT is that the Australian standard and thus the law, as currently written only allows such devices ( a device to connect a 15 amp device to a 10 amp outlet) IF and only IF they contain an earth leakage circuit breaker.
The Ampfibian IS a "Prescribed Article" and requires a current approval to be sold.
Such devices would not be granted approval and thus could not be sold unless they contained an earth leakage circuit breaker.
I have spoken direct to government officers in the electrical office in my state.....they are well aware of these devices.....and these are the FACTS.
These devices are contravercial and required a rewrite of the standards to allow their use and there have been at least 2 ammendments to the standards in this process.
My understanding is that these devices go against accepted electrical engineering practice and where only allowed because the alternative was the very common use of cables with a 10 amp plug and a 15 amp socket AND no protection, which remain illegal and arguably far more dangerous.
At least one major Australian supplier has discontinued manufacture of devices that where previously approved under the original change to the standard and are no longer allowed.
Some view the requirement for earth leakage in the devices as pointless......but that is a whole other argument.
If you have an older version of ampfibian, it is as safe as it ever was and ( as I understand it) perfectly legal to use.
HOWever it is my understanding that it would NOW be illegal to manufacture or sell such a device if it did not contain an earth leakage device.
Those are the facts as I have found them.
cheers
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