Wednesday, Jan 15, 2014 at 00:00
The difference between a 10 amp plug and a 15 amp plug... IS....that is illegal to fit a 15 amp plug to a 10 amp cable.
The purpose of having 3 plugs (10 amp, 15 amp, 20 amp) that look similar and can be plugged into higher reated sockets.
IS to ensure than cables and appliances are not plugged into sockets rated less than the cable or appliance..but the plug system is downward compatable.....so you can plug a 10 or 15 amp plug into a 20 amp socket and you can plug a 10 amp plug into a 15 amp socket......but not the other way round.
A Compliant 10 amp IEC lead will be made on 10 amp 32/0.20 cable, a 7.5 amp IEC lead will be made on 7.5 amp cable.
with 7.5amp IEC leads, there is the problem that that lead may be used to plug a 10 amp appliance into a 10 amp socket and thus be out of specification.
Persoanally I will not own nor will I tag a 7.5 amp IEC lead, unless I have a very good reason otherwise I will chop them up on sight.
Cheers
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