Seek: UK 3-pin mains plug with on-off SWITCH

May 07, 2006 22 Replies

Is it possible to get a regular UK 13 amp 3-pin mains plug but with an on-off switch on it?



Maybe the plug would have a rocker switch or something like that.



Am sure I saw one a long time ago but since then I've never been able to track one down.



BTW I don't want to use an inline torpedo switch or anything like that.


Thanks, Jon


-- xpost to relevant gps - max 4


MK used to make one many years ago, but I think it was discontinued long ago.

Nearest think I have seek is multiway adapters/extension leads/etc with independent switches.

Or the radio link remote control socket adapters. Maplin does them - Lidl/Aldi did a set very cheaply recently.

I modded one of the transmitters to work off a parallel port and the computer can thus control 4 sockets (cheaper than X10 etc!). I use that to switch on/ off laser printers/servers/etc when they aren't being used. OK, yes you can do it by WOL packets (at least the servers) but the servers are the wrong side of a firewall.

I haven't seen one of those since 1978 ;-)

I've not seen that for a long time but two alternatives suggest themselves

(1) retrofit a switched 13A socket. This is the work of minutes only

(2) I bought a 3 way SWITCHED 13A adaptor from Woolworth's yesterday.

This has to be the easiest way to get most of what you want.

B&Q do / did them - large rocker on the top. No idea if it comes up on

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- not much does.

However if this is high duty cycle I would... o Replace unswitched wall socket with switched

---- bonding earth - sleeve gr/yellow from socket to metal backbox o Replace trailing socket with surface mount flat grey metal type

---- surface mount flat grey backbox

---- surface mount flat grey switched socket

---- 20mm knockout fitted with IP68 cable-gland to flex cable

---- bonding earth - sleeve gr/yellow from socket to metal backbox o Replace trailing socket with individually switched version

---- might be more expensive unless you need several power points

---- versions range from sockets-on-a-board to moulded-in switches

With a switched socket the plug provides some "knock off" protection, the rocker-switch-plugs provide little protection re fingers, feet, etc.

In message , Jon D writes

Funny you should ask

One of my employees brought one in to work the other day that he had just bought on the internet, but we couldn't find the link again. I hope he'll bring it in on Monday

Here's one which may be acceptable, it's an RCD adaptor.

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Hey, that would be really useful.

TIA.

I can confirm that they are still sold. I bought a 13 Amp fused plug top exactly as you describe at Homebase in Belfast last December.

Regards, Tuppence

Dorothy:

I am convinced you are an AI application linked to an information database.

Just Sayin'

Electrical part of B&Q makes you look at everything to find anything :-)

Newey & Eyre trailing sockets now have Prescott-P-Approved tri-screws. Just imagine if all the red tape that has been applied to people were instead applied to those seeking positions of government... justice. Unfortunately some would probably want a Risk Management first.

Nah - plumbing sections worse... There you have to look *in* everything to find anything ;->

I'm fairly sure I saw one in B&Q recently.

Christian.

Saw it at B & Q this morning.

13mp 3 pin plug with switch and neon indicator £2.46

Regards, Tuppence

In message , Jon D writes

Here's the link I was on about

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Been in B and Q today, they have them for under 3 quid, Partmaster make, come with rocker switch and neon.

In message , John McLean writes

The ones I posted the link to were £1.95

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