Best plug for 2.5mm flex

[JohnD]

They could.

But they won't as such a plug would be larger, more expensive and have no real use.

I have some of these. They aren't large, were cheaper than Duraplugs, and withstand rough handling.

View attachment 367092

So, either these people are wrong about the plugs taking 2.5mm.

Or they are wrong about it being manufactured to BS 1363.

Or Risteard is wrong.

Which is it.?

 

[ebee]

Right I have had some, yes they take 2.5 conductors (OK a bit of care is needed) they take 0.50 to 1.50 more easily as most plugs do) the earth can be made to pull out last with both types whilst utilising the loop cavity correctly.
So what is the actual problem?
So what is the conflict?
NONE.
Not all plugs are that easy but some fit the bill adequately with care!
Blimey!

I will get me coat !

 

[SUNRAY]

Right I have had some, yes they take 2.5 conductors (OK a bit of care is needed) they take 0.50 to 1.50 more easily as most plugs do) the earth can be made to pull out last with both types whilst utilising the loop cavity correctly.
So what is the actual problem?
So what is the conflict?
NONE.
Not all plugs are that easy but some fit the bill adequately with care!
Blimey!

I will get me coat !

No need to get ya coat as everything you have written was totally correct when I got into it in depth in mid 70's, nowhere in BS1363 did it forbid the use of cable bigger than 1.5mm², in fact as I mentioned earlier there was provision to use serial numbered type approved assemblies consisting of a plug without fuse, 1m of 2.5mm² flex, BS1362 fuse or up to 15A fast blow or 2P MCB 15A type 1/B16, single or double BS1363 or single BS4343. Such assemblies could be obtained on a one per license basis from wholesalers but most of them struggled to find suppliers.

Over the years I've terminated 7/0.029 & 2.5mm² T&E or 2.5mm² flex on many occassions in a selection of 13A plugs (and with a lot of care, even 4mm² flex although generally I'd aim for 13A to 32A adapter leads).

View attachment 367091

It's a specification that plugs are made to. 1.5mm² is the maximum size of conductor specified.

Someone could theoretically make terminals which accept larger conductors, but that would be entirely pointless so it's not done and never will be.

What is not done and never will be?

They could.

But they won't as such a plug would be larger, more expensive and have no real use.

Not really any bigger but in any case how else would a longer extension lead be constructed?

In the entertainment industry 2.5mm² HO7 is a very standard cable for 13A aplications and I imagine tens (possibly hundreds) of thousands of them are in use in UK. As a little tiny one man band business I must have a couple of dozen.

Soz if I seem a bit tetchy, but it's annoying to ask for advice and get factually wrong replies. Differences of opinion are one thing, but saying a standard says "must not" when it doesn't....

Yes I feel very sad when advice is sought and supposedly respected contributers come out with such factually incorrect advice then press their incorrect view when challenged and even the proof is put before them. It makes me wonder what experience they really have.

 

[SUNRAY]

View attachment 367092

So, either these people are wrong about the plugs taking 2.5mm.

They are not wrong.

Or they are wrong about it being manufactured to BS 1363.

I believe they are not wrong.

Or Risteard is wrong.

Which is it.?

OOOOOO let me just work that one out