XPost: rec.arts.comics.strips   
   From: tl@none.invalid   
      
   Scott Dorsey  wrote:   
   >Your Name   wrote:   
   >>In the UK every "standard" plug used to have its own fuse in it,   
   >>instead of / as well as a fuse box elsewhere in the building. That has   
   >>likely mostly changed due to international companies not wanting to   
   >>bother with the added expense as well as newer buliding standards.   
      
   AFAIK fused BS1363 plugs are mandatory in the UK and likely will be   
   in the foreseable future. Heck, I've even seen fused travel-adapters!   
      
   Yes, you can get non-fused plugs outside the UK but that doesn't make   
   them legal to use in the UK. IIRC there are countries that use the   
   same or the similar predecessor (BS546) that isn't that strict.   
      
      
   >This is a feature of the ring mains arrangement, which was a sort of   
   >crazy attempt to save on copper wire, and which is still standard in   
   >the UK.   
      
   Yeah, it started as part of the 30/32A "ring circuit" system to save   
   (very small amounts of) copper but the current UK regulation also   
   allow 20A and 30/32A "radial" circuits (the normal kind). Yes, all   
   three types are used in new installations - and don't get me started   
   on the whole "radial spurs off a ring circuits" thing often seen in   
   installations that have been upgraded over time.   
      
   So it's not just the ring circuits, since UK already HAD fused plugs   
   the newer radial circuit options can also be too spicy and require   
   fused plugs.   
      
   At least that's my understanding from what UK electricians has said on   
   Youtube and it matches what Wikipedia says so that's two sources.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
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