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| © Eugene Brennan |
Did
you know that the rating of fuses and MCBs is the current they can
carry indefinitely without overheating, not the current they blow at?
For instance Type B MCBs, used in domestic installations will trip at a
current of 3 to 5 times their rating. A BS1362 13 A fuse, used in 3-pin
plugs must allow a non-fusing current of 1.6 times 13 A or approximately
20 A to pass for at least 30 minutes. BS1362 also specifies the fusing
current as 1.9 times the rating or 24.7 A for a 13 A fuse. The fuse must
blow in less than 30 min when current exceeds this value. The function
of fuses in plugs is to protect the power cord, not necessarily the
appliance. Lower rating fuses are often incorporated into appliances
such as TVs that use smaller gauge wiring internally, to prevent against
fire.
More info here:
Check your plugs regularly to make sure they're not getting hot, especially when powering high wattage items like electric heaters (warm is normal for such appliances). Hot plugs are a symptom of a loose connection such as screws not tightened down fully in terminals or worn spring contacts in sockets (requiring a socket replacement). Any of these scenarios can potentially cause a fire.