[Gllug] OT: Merging UPS outputs

[Chris Bell]

On Wed 31 Aug, Bernard Peek wrote:
> 
> In message <4314D305.4030203 at qipod.wanadoo.co.uk>, Robert Newson 
> <ran at qipod.wanadoo.co.uk> writes
> >Liam Smit wrote:
> >
> >
> >The uk ha[ds] round pins on their plugs as well; and you'll usually 
> >find the round pin'd plugs used in theatres.  They were varying in size 
> >and came in 3 values:  smallest 2 amp (I think), middle 5 amp (I 
> >think), largest 15 amp (as used in theatres - well they were when I 
> >last worked in one...the number of the plugs that had the cord sleeve 
> >(moulded into the "lid") cut as you were supposed to put the wire 
> >through them before wiring into the plug was rather large due to the 
> >forgetfulness, and laziness, of the staff/students).
> 
> That's right, the ratings were 2, 5 and 15A. They are still in use for 
> some specialist purposes. In theatres the 15A sockets are used for big 
> lamps fed via dimmers. The smaller sockets are occasionally used in 
> houses where they are fed from the 5A lighting circuits.
> 
> 
> 
   They should only be used where there is a fuse or breaker at the supply
which will limit the current to the load at no more than the nominal rating,
and all cables must be capable of carrying the full nominal current. Old
building wiring used to have a mix of these feeds, but it was fairly common
to blow fuses.
   At the time when these connectors were common many fuses were re-wirable,
and there were many fires caused by overloading when incorrect wire or metal
foil was used to repair blown fuselinks.
   Some buildings retained the old-style 2-amp 3-pin round connectors so as
to prevent the use of normal "domestic" equipment. Theatre and studio lights
which still use old-style 5 or 15 amp round pin plugs are usually fed from
dimmers which have their own protection, and not direct from the mains
supply.

-- 
Chris Bell

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