Cable (flex) identification

Why ?

I've moved from the UK where plugs are fused (primarily) to protect the cables from accidental overload in failure situations. I'm now in the US where the plugs are not fused as so the only fuse is at the breaker box .

As the (UK) fitted plug was fused at 3A (i.e. 700W), and the circuit breaker here in the US is 20Amp (i.e. 2300W) I want to make sure that cable is capable of taking a potentially higher failure current without bursting into flames or something else spectacular.

Googling on just that code yields as the first hit

More Googling gives

I th>Daniel Woodhead makes a 15 amp,125 volt plug with a fuse holder in it.

If you wanted to fuse the cord, the above plug might be a good option.

Another option would be to replace the entire cord on the lamp. Hardware stores commonly sell 18 AWG lamp cords in 6' (2m) lengths and various colors that already have a plug molded on the end. You just have to fish the new cord into the lamp and connect it to the socket. Or, buy some heavier lamp cord and a separate plug. You can get up to 14 AWG lamp cord fairly easily, but that size is so thick that it might be difficult to fish through the lamp. 16 AWG will probably fit.

I hope this helps!

Matt Roberds

Matt

Thanks for this.

I'm not sure why - I just didn't think of googling the cable code! Duh!

Cheers

Den

BTW: Any idea how to decode the code?

H = Harmonised (i.e. pan-European standard)

-F = (fine) stranded conductor for flexible cords.

/Clas-Henrik

Clas-Henrik has provided it; I had no idea.

Some common US cord type codes are at

Matt Roberds