Counterfeit and Illegal Plugs and Leads

[Socketman]

From time to time the subject of counterfeit plugs and power leads is discussed on this and other forums.

Counterfeit plugs are often distinguished by having partially sleeved earth pins in clear contravention of BS 1363, that means that they cannot be legally sold (The Plugs & Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations (1994)). Despite that they are freely available from (amongst others) many ebay sellers, and even Amazon!

Some of the counterfeits also have counterfeit fuses fitted, others have no fuses whatsoever!

For further information see www.bs1363.org.uk This includes samples of ebay and amazon sales listings, and links to reports from PAT testers who have come across these.

The safety of BS 1363 sockets and plugs is under threat from a variety of sources; it is time that the government and the IET took stronger action to counter this.

 

[Andy™]

also see this thread

 

[Socketman]

[quote name='Andy

 

[Andy™]

sent email to local TS. 'well look into it'

 

[Socketman]

I have been looking closely at one of the counterfeit plugs fitted with the counterfeit BS 1362 fuses (similar to the one shown at www.bs1363.org.uk ).

Although the fuse does have continuity, it turns out that the plug wiring bypasses the fuseholder, so it is actually another version of an unfused plug.

Digging deeper finds more issues!

 

[Socketman]

Six deaths in the tragic fire in Neasden last weekend reminds us of the possible consequences of an electrical fire, and why legislation such as the Plugs and Sockets Regulations is so important.

eBay has been a bit slow in reacting to reports in the past few weeks, but Amazon takes the biscuit for lack of response.

The worst example (so far) is on Cloverleaf Computer Power Lead: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics . On that one listing they have 31 suppliers, I have test bought from several of these, some have been legal (including Volex ones), others not. The cables supplied through Amazon by

 

[welchyboy]

i see an article about counterfiet MCB's too which had no insides and were in fact basically just a switch and if a fault occurs

all you have to rely on is the main suppliers fuse

Blows my mind as to why people would seriously risk lives and homes for a quick buck, counterfiet a ralph lauren shirt and make a few quid...whatever no-one dies

what total soul-less ****s

 

[Sidewinder]

What you must realise is that the companies making and supplying these products have only one motive, and I MEAN only ONE, profit.

Safety is not even on the list.

This is what the great British Public have brought on themselves by demanding the cheapest of everything and destroying our own home grown manufacturing industry which had a conscience.

"It's your own fault."

 

[Apache]

What you must realise is that the companies making and supplying these products have only one motive, and I MEAN only ONE, profit.Safety is not even on the list.

This is what the great British Public have brought on themselves by demanding the cheapest of everything and destroying our own home grown manufacturing industry which had a conscience.

"It's your own fault."

I know, but if your laptop power supply broke now where would you go for a replacement? I know the last place I would go would be Dell!

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 23:16 ---------- Previous post was made at 23:15 ----------

mmm, this new laptop is a Samsung bad day explode

I wouldn't go there either!

 

[Sidewinder]

Mine are Lenovo so neither Dell or Samsung mate!

 

[steptoe]

I know, but if your laptop power supply broke now where would you go for a replacement? I know the last place I would go would be Dell!---------- Post Auto-Merged at 23:16 ---------- Previous post was made at 23:15 ----------

mmm, this new laptop is a Samsung bad day explode

I wouldn't go there either!

canoeboy could rewind it for you

 

[kme]

You`ve got a laptop made from fabric conditioner? bet they`re a bit "soft" :slap

Sounds like cheap japanese rubbish to me, bud....should have gone for summat decent

 

[steptoe]

:slap

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 00:33 ---------- Previous post was made at 00:32 ----------

sounds like an Italian telling you to move so he can reach the salt!!!!!!!!

 

[Evans Electric]

I know, but if your laptop power supply broke now where would you go for a replacement? I know the last place I would go would be Dell!---------- Post Auto-Merged at 23:16 ---------- Previous post was made at 23:15 ----------

mmm, this new laptop is a Samsung bad day explode

I wouldn't go there either!

You're worrying me now Patche, I just bought a Dell Laptop on special offer from Tesco , looking at the power unit, it has a 1000 standards icons on there but no BS .

 

[steptoe]

I think he was meaning the price of a new power supply,

I think my mate paid something like 70quid for one from Dell. !!!!

 

[Apache]

My point was if I needed a new one I'd get one from ebay

 

[Socketman]

Amazon continue to sell these dangerous cables, they clearly believe themselves to be above the law!

Since last posting I have ordered and received a further three of the "KING CORO" models described earlier, and have now also received, from an Amazon seller in Hong Kong, another type with a counterfeit fuse.

You can see a photograph of the plug on the website www.bs1363.org.uk

 

[malcolmchisholm]

Let's get back to the original topic.

I've just bought a 12v power supply for a LED light strip from a Hong Kong Ebay supplier called Pitalam. The lead is fitted with an unfused, moulded-on plugtop.

I have contacted the supplier to ask for a legal lead and will leave a negative feedback report if it is not received within one month.

If all else fails, I can use a legal cable, of which I have many spares, with a 1A fuse. The PU is rated at 0.6A.

Best wishes,

Malcolm Chisholm