h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Ta for the reminder though

No problem

RhoMuNuQ

Ok, here we go...:

Gordon - I agree about the warning/disclaimer, though I'd prefer to leave that to one of the Italics. I wouldn't want to be held responsible for not including something there that I should have done!

And a picture would certainly be nice ( to any passing Italics...)

Rho - Done, done and done My excuse for using too many significant figures is that I've been studying Maths, rather than Physics, for the last three years... we can be as precise as we want to be

Back_Ache - I don't the the frequency of the supply is entirely relevant to this entry. If I was discussing transformers or something similar, it would definitely be in there. It might be somethign else to go in the warning/disclaimer though.

My excuse for being pedantic about significant figures is ... ... I'll get back to you

RhoMuNuQ

A few years ago, when I was studying A-level Physics, I'd probably have been the same. One of the first things our teacher drummed into us was using the right number of significant figures!

Using the right number of significant figures was definitely drummed into me!

I'm afraid, scouting wise, that I can't help just now - I think the entry's ready now but I'm out of picks for the next three weeks.

RhoMuNuQ

No worries, someone's bound to pick it soon.

Which reminds me, I've still got a 'bonus' pick to make...

If you happen to have a picture, put it on the web somewhere that it can be viewed and mention the link in here. Maybe a passing Italic will add it to the entry.

Alternatively, maybe one of the Community Artists could do something up for you.

Share and Enjoy!

Have you seen my collection of badges, Gordon?

That's true - there must be some Scouts with picks left!

Are you allowed to make pictures for your own entries or to bribe the other CAs?

RhoMuNuQ

I'll see wat I can do

No, I hadn't, actually.

So, you should be able to do something then.

Share and Enjoy!

When calculating the current it is best to use the lower figure of 230V as this will give the higher current eg 2,200 ÷ 230 = 9.6 This may prevent too small a fuse being fitted. Although if it were that close I'd fit the next higher fuse anyway.

Some appliances give the current rating or even specify the correct fuse rating which saves having to do the calculation.

I might be worth mentioning that with some plugs you have to thread the top onto the lead before you connect the base.

SK

Thanks SK

Not quite sure I understand your last point though

It is quite difficult to describe these plugs. I was hoping some one else would jump in and explain, but since they haven't I'll have a go.

Some plugs are constructed in such away that the top and the side are all one moulding. The base of the plug (with the pins) fits snugly in the bottom of the top cover so that the bottom of the base is flush with the bottom of the sides. The side at the back of the top cover has a hole for the flex to go through. If the flex is connected to the pins on the base there is no way to get it through the hole. It is therefore necessary to insert the flex through the hole at the back of the cover, then connect it to the pins on the base and then insert the base into the top cover.

I'm not suggesting that you go into so much detail in your entry, just a passing mention as there is nothing more frustrating than to have carefully wired up a plug only to find you can't get the cover on.

SK

Ah, I see... I'll try and think of a way to work that in somehow...

Invaluable entry. Very useful for those that haven't a clue about technical stuff (ie, me!)... or anything else really!
I think someone said that a picture would really add to this entry, 'cept if you add one in it'll only be taken away by the Sub-Eds (though who knows, maybe the community artists will get commisioned to do one when it hits the Front Page)
Oberon2001

Hmm, couple of possible additions...


One, personally I'd change the accent on the phrase "the next highest fuse" - putting the accent on the "Next" as there are quite a few people out there who insist on bunging 13 amp fuses in absolutely everything.


Secondly, still on about fuses - when you say that plugs come fitted with a fuse you might want to note (maybe a footnote) that they are always 13A.

Finally.... Ok I seem to have a fuse fixation

When talking about the choice of fuse maybe put in a bit telling people what fuse sizes are available and their colour codes (It's been a while since I fitted a plug in the UK so I can't remember all the colours)...




Oh, and consider yourself lucky if you live in the UK... Here in France the electrical system is that archaic that there are no fuses in plugs.... Therefore if you plug in a table lamp with a cable capable of handling 10A into a mains socket, the only protection you've got is the 25 or 30 A circuit breaker or fuse in the fusebox ...

Oh, and if you've got a double insulated electrical device then the plug is reversible, so you can't tell which is the live and which is the neutral... so even if the device is fitted with an internal fuse you've a 50/50 chance of it still being live even if the internal fuse blows...

Scary ain't it

Hmm, couple of possible additions...


One, personally I'd change the accent on the phrase "the next highest fuse" - putting the accent on the "Next" as there are quite a few people out there who insist on bunging 13 amp fuses in absolutely everything.


Secondly, still on about fuses - when you say that plugs come fitted with a fuse you might want to note (maybe a footnote) that they are always 13A.

Finally.... Ok I seem to have a fuse fixation

When talking about the choice of fuse maybe put in a bit telling people what fuse sizes are available and their colour codes (It's been a while since I fitted a plug in the UK so I can't remember all the colours)...




Oh, and consider yourself lucky if you live in the UK... Here in France the electrical system is that archaic that there are no fuses in plugs.... Therefore if you plug in a table lamp with a cable capable of handling 10A into a mains socket, the only protection you've got is the 25 or 30 A circuit breaker or fuse in the fusebox ...

Oh, and if you've got a double insulated electrical device then the plug is reversible, so you can't tell which is the live and which is the neutral... so even if the device is fitted with an internal fuse you've a 50/50 chance of it still being live even if the internal fuse blows...

Scary ain't it

Thanks for your input (again!) Whisky

I'm just glad I don't have to use the French electrical system then!