Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    112

    Default 15A Plug to 10A Socket (Again)

    Hello All,
    This weeks Aldi catalogue (P16) has a solution for those who see a need to connect 15A rated tools and devices to a 10A socket. As this "15A-10A Safety Adapter" is for sale as a mainstream product, it must surely meet the electrical safety requirements or regulations. For a mere $59.99, one no longer has to file down an Earth pin or put together a suitable extension lead (TIC).

    Comments?

    Chas.

    TIC = Tongue in cheek

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    4,779

    Default

    I saw that in their catalog just today and it had me thinking same thing.

    I notice it has some sort of circuit protection so I assume it limits or trips a cb at anything over roughly 10A.

    Beggs the question, if something a 15A plug then I assume it needs it. It may lead to frustration trying to use it.

    Simon

    Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    1,105

    Default

    I cannot see an issue with it. It depends on what you are welding whether it will trip or not. If you max it out of course it is going to trip.

    Most of us buy larger welders for the duty cycle. At work we have 350A welders but rarely ever go over 150A, hence they will draw less amperage at that current.

    Bunnings sell a similar version as well but it's over 3 times the price! The aldi one seems like great value

    https://www.bunnings.com.au/ampfibia...aptor_p7050105

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
    Age
    59
    Posts
    6,541

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by simonl View Post
    Begs the question, if something a 15A plug then I assume it needs it. It may lead to frustration trying to use it.
    Context! The section heading was for Caravanning. To run lights in a van would only need 10A - only when running high draw items (toasters? electric kettles?) would more than 10A be needed. I suspect any draw more than 10A for long would lead to the breaker tripping. On that basis, probably would not be much good for continuous draw applications (for example, welding)

    Michael

  5. #5
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    7,182

    Default

    I have used the Bunnings one and it tripped out at a fraction over 10A.

    I also made my own with a VA meter and a 10A CB

    On mine the CB now has a protective cover over it to prevent accidentally turning on/off.
    15A10ARCBO.jpg
    15A cord came from a crushed power board I found in a caravan park bin.
    Box $8, CB $5, 15A double outlet $17, cable gland cost $2 - total $32
    Panel meter was $10, yes it all adds up.

    Mine behaves like a real breaker so it easily handles small start up and over currents, whereas the bunnings one trips much quicker - they mush use a more sensitive breaker.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    586

    Default

    Just because it accepts a 15A plug, does not mean that you have 15A of current available to use at that 10A outlet.
    For it to be legal, the circuit breaker will be at the same rating as the male end of the adapter device (Hint- that's 10A ;-) )
    YMMV if you make your own box, but far from recommended for the uninitiated.

    On a commercially made adapter, there will be nuisance tripping. Some devices that allow variable output (ie example of a welder with low welding output) may work just fine. Other devices may just trip it outright.

    D curve breakers are recommended for welders, as they allow for a high inrush current, and their inductive loads. There are other breaker 'trip curves' available that will limit the nuisance of machinery tripping a circuit, but again, see a pro for advice.
    Would be interesting to know more about the type of breaker in the aldi and amfibian units.

    Nice box Bob.
    I have used a similar box for 32A single phase to 15A wall power. Still had a 15A breaker in it, and still tripped all the same when I gave it the beans.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Alexandra Vic
    Age
    69
    Posts
    654

    Default

    As mentioned above, consider the context it is being offered in, namely a group of caravan accessories.

    For at least 50 years, the standard for powering caravans has been to feed them from a 15A outlet through a cable that can safely carry that current, to a 15A wall mount inlet, through individual circuit breakers and out to various electrical appliances via double pole switched GPO's, or to caravan lighting via double pole switches. Until more recent times the highest consumption devices in caravans were a jug or toaster rated at 10 amps, and there were a range of low current demand devices like 3 way fridges, small TV's , and electric blankets for the frosty areas. More recently, vans tend to have air con built in, and generally cater for this by having dual 15A wall mounted inlets, one for general use as outlined above, and another dedicated to powering the aircon system. This works fine as long as the place where you want to plug in caters for you and can provide 2 dedicated 15A outlets for you without depriving other caravaners of power.

    The device being discussed is intended to adapt a 15A caravan style lead with large earth pin to a standard 10A socket, presumably in a caravaning context. This could be done to power lights and a fridge in the van while the owners are preparing for a trip, or visiting a residence during a trip, when it can be assumed that they either don't need a lot of high consumption appliances or can limit the use of them to ensure they are not tripping breakers at the source, or alternatively to provide lighting etc on a semi permanent basis if the van is providing overload accommodation at a property. In these instances the device in question should be able to be used safely as an interface to housing GPO's.

    However, if it comes to trying to run high consumption machinery in a workshop (or the entire workshop) from a household 10A GPO, the item would not be suitable as it incorporates a 10A RCBO (combined circuit breaker and earth leakage detector) to limit the load that can be imposed on the wiring in the electricity donor outlet. This RCBO would trip very regularly in this situation.

    Remember, household wiring frequently has a fair number of 10A GPO's or DGPO's on each 15 to 20A power circuit, on the basis that most devices connected will draw significantly less than 10A each so the circuit remains safe. However, providing a 15A, 20 A or 32A outlet implies that you will be installing equipment that needs that level of power, so these are installed as a dedicated circuits where the breaker serves a single high rated outlet, eliminating a lot of cable joints that would be found in a normal multiple GPO circuits, and the voltage drops and increased fire risks that can occur when the cable is jointed multiple times as it connects all of these GPO's and is called upon to supply high current loads for long periods of time.

    In a machinery context, manufacturers will do all they can to have their devices certified and approved with a standard 10A plug as it enhances their sale potential. The only devices that come out of the packaging with 15A or higher plugs are devices that need to have that plug fitted in order to have the device approved for use and sale so it can be bought to market. Filing down the earth pin so the plug can fit a 10A GPO is only negating the approval, and assurance of safety provided by the standards in place. Connecting to a 10A GPO via the device under discussion should preserve the safety of the donor installation by protecting it from overload, but if the equipment being powered from it requires the 15A capability, it will trip out regularly to provide that protection.
    I used to be an engineer, I'm not an engineer any more, but on the really good days I can remember when I was.

Similar Threads

  1. old whitworth sidchrome socket set ,plus old sidchrome socket bar
    By robyn2839 in forum METALWORK - Machinery, Equipment, MARKET
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 10th Jun 2019, 09:06 AM
  2. 15 Amp Plug
    By bwal74 in forum ELECTRICALS
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 13th Jan 2019, 12:22 PM
  3. 15amp mig welder plug to 10amp wall socket
    By Specialized29er in forum ELECTRICALS
    Replies: 26
    Last Post: 30th Apr 2018, 12:13 AM
  4. The Damage Arcing can do to a Plug and Socket
    By Oldneweng in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 36
    Last Post: 22nd Apr 2015, 01:15 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •