On Fri, 14 Apr 2017 03:09:54 +0100
The Natural Philosopher  wrote:

> On 13/04/17 22:56, Dr J R Stockton wrote:
> > In comp.sys.raspberry-pi message , Mon,
> > 3 Apr 2017 14:56:13, The Natural Philosopher 
> > posted:
> >
> >>
> >> Uk 13A plugs are arguably the safest in the world.
> >>
> >> - square pins allow for better contact reducing risk of fire through
> >> overheating and arcing.
> >> - the earth pin is mandatory, not optional
> >> - unless the earth pin is inserted the live and neutral are not
accessible.
> >
> > Not quite true.  With the narrower multi-way adaptors (not much plastic
> > outside the L N E socket area), it is possible to insert the earth pin
> > of one plug upside down (to release the shutter, of course), and the
> > power pins of another device upside-down.  There is then nowhere for a
> > cable to exit the second device's connector in the normal manner; but if
> > the second device is a cubical adaptor it will go in easily, allowing
> > the supply of unearthed L-N-reversed electricity.  I have three items so
> > plugged by me as I write.
> >
> > BS 1363 needs to specify that the mating surfaces are too wide to allow
> > any pin to be inserted upside down when all three pins are present.
> >
> Sure and you can use a screwdriver in the earth socket to open the
> shutters and shove bare wires in to live and neutral
>
> But its hard to do that accidentally, either.
>
> You can even unscrew the faceplate and connect to the ring main behind
> by twisting bare wires together.
>
> Idiot proof is one thing, proof against a moron bent on self destruction
> with just enough know-how to achieve it, is somewhat different.
>

Quite agree. The unfortunate thing is that such people often end up killing
others :(

--
W J G

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05