But clearly we can't tell you to break the rules you must take that responsibility and accept next time an inspection is done it will fail.
As a matter of interest, how would you assess the relative risk of doing as proposed and 'the alternative', which would presumably be to plug in a 6-way (or maybe 4-way) extension into the existing socket (and unplug it prior to that inspection!)?
Kind Regards, John
I noted with some surprise on the electrical safety councils guidance notes for electrical condition report it gave a failure for trailing leads. I would have considered items plugged in were not part of the remit when doing a report.
So house finished not handed over and one does a final inspection and find a load of heaters to dry out plaster with frayed leads does one fail the house?
Clearly before anyone moved in all those heaters would be gone.
If I was sure all under 1 amp then maybe I would install but the fact remains it would still fail.
I have also had problems with an extension lead. The motor mechanic had an extension locked in a cupboard which was not on the plant register. The apprentice being helpful as he saw it lent it to one of the production crews to power a space heater which I had told them they couldn't use because it was 230v not 110v.
Lead was damaged some one got a mild shock and reported it to HSE.
Lucky for me my records we up to date including emails to manager telling him the space heater could not be used. But they really gave me a hard time.
The poor apprentice was sacked. Didn't like the lad but still felt that was a bit harsh he was only trying to help.
At one point the HSE was saying I should have looked in the mechanics locker I then asked the director if he would give me code of safe which made them decide the locker was the same as a quarantine area.
Clearly domestic does not have the same problem. They are not so strict. But the fact remains it really does not matter how safe one still needs to follow the rule book.
The question arises many times where a fuse blows and a normal person can fit a larger fuse in the same holder can we rely on a small fuse being fitted? Where a competent person is in control we can still use fuse wire but not in the home.
I don't have an answer but I do raise the question. Personally I would say if it needs a tool to change the fuse then it's OK to rely on the correct replacement.
But my wife would never allow me to write on a FCU use 3A only unless it was proper etched into the surface.
The point is of course you could fit a whole row of 5A sockets and say they are for standard lamps and that's OK. The same goes for a lenght of lighting track. Never tried to see how many items can be plugged into one lenght of track but I would expect more than 6.
My Gran always plugged the iron into the light socket. It kept the lead out of the way in spite of ironing in centre of the room. I still have the adaptor 5A two pin to BA22d. You should have seen the fuse box. A separate fuse for each item. Lovely polished wood. Fuse holder paxalin with two metal spring clips to hold the wire. Yes they did get a shock every now and again that's why my Granddad wore a cap to move switches with!