I despair - I'm in the process of replacing the mains lead on a semi-professional deep fat fryer, which takes something between 8A and 10A when running. I've got the right cable, the correct terminals for the fryer end, and more than enough experience to fit it all together properly.

Then I decided that it would be a really good idea to fit a decent 13A plug (the existing lead had a moulded-on plug). Went to all the usual suppliers, and all I found were horrible cheap-and-nasty things that should be thrown as far as possible, maybe even further. I know without taking the cover off that these will have miserable little screw terminals and fuse holders made of putty. The only place I've found that sells something respectable (MK) is Newey and Ayres, but they're only open Mon to Fri, and they're expensive. Ebay has very little to offer apart from the cheap rubbish, except for 1 supplier who had MK plugs at around twice the price of N&A.

I want to do this job properly, but I'm not winning...

(can you tell that I'm not a happy bunny?)

http://www.screwfix.com/p/white-plug-13a/17967
https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p42241?table=no

I've bought those Screwfix ones before - not impressed.

Any road up - I've solved the problem in the short term - after turning the garage over for a plug to 'liberate', I went up the loft and spotted a good one on a bit of computer hardware I'd parked up there a while ago. I'll probably be searching for another plug in the future but, for now, it's job done.

The grumble still stands though, on principle if nothing else!

I know what you mean about plugs nowadays. Particularly the fuse mounting, the bars that connect the fuse to the live pin and screw terminal seem to be made of cheese, so when you screw the live wire the fuse mount twists!! The cable relief grips are another sign of cutting corners, it's very difficult to get any sort of tension on the cable.

Unfortunately it's been quite a while since I've seen an 'old school' quality plug, so I can't really offer any advice. I did find the weatherproof/outdoor rubber plugs were a bit more sturdy though, even if they're typically bright orange!

I never throw away those old style plugs where the pins are brass all the way up to the plug body.

My 200a welders, lathe, etc all have them on.

O, and the chair I keep meaning to give to my brother in law.

cpc farnell sell the mk ones about 3.50 each
http://cpc.farnell.com/mk-electric/646whi/13a-safety-plug/dp/PL00465
http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/429863.pdf

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but if you want really dangerous mains adaptors look at this bigclive video, at 2 minutes on, where he shows it quite possible to plug the earth pin of a uk plug, into the unfused live of the cheep adaptors.
"Inside another death-dapter variant. "
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB1DlBpyS9w


edit recommend view from 1min45, not 2 mins

[Edited on 24/3/17 by gremlin1234]

quote:

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Originally posted by gremlin1234

but if you want really dangerous mains adaptors look at this bigclive video, at 2 minutes on, where he shows it quite possible to plug the earth pin of a uk plug, into the unfused live of the cheep adaptors.
"Inside another death-dapter variant. "

---

quote:

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Originally posted by gremlin1234
cpc farnell sell the mk ones about 3.50 each
http://cpc.farnell.com/mk-electric/646whi/13a-safety-plug/dp/PL00465
http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/429863.pdf

---

I've used the black plugs that screwfix sell and they seem OK, good sized cable entry and clamp, only slight complaint is the heads on the terminal screws are easy to damage if you are not careful to use the correct sized screwdriver.

Cheers
Davie

quote:

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Trouble is that buying from them involves P&P, which pushes the price up (especially when really I only needed 1 plug).

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Plugs are not the only problem. Everybody is seeing cheapo stuff on a daily basis. Then when you go looking for a quality product, you are taken aback at the "extra" cost. Fact of life = quality costs.
I try not to buy bargain priced tools and accessories but I am occasionally suckered in by a great eBay deal only to regret not buying full price quality item.
That video above is scary. I'm away to bin my Asian multi adaptors now 😭

I can sort-of understand why people like B&Q have stopped selling brand names such as MK. Mr. Average looks at the stuff on the shelves and sees 2 plugs, one from MK that costs £5 or £6, and a 'B&Q brand' that costs £1, and they buy the B&Q one. The shop gets left with expensive items on their shelves that no-one wants to buy, so they stop stocking them.

Unfortunately if you have an MK plug in one hand, and a generic one in the other, it is all too easy to see that the MK one is better. (Note: other branded good-quality plugs are available - I'm just naming MK as they're well known). As mentioned above - the generic ones are often cr@p.

[Edited on 25/3/17 by David Jenkins]

We use these at work and have no problems. https://uk.rs-online.com/mobile/p/mains-plus-sockets/3255994/

Try these......

https://www.mkelectric.com/en-gb/Products/WD/PortablePower/duraplug/Rubberplugs/Pages/PF133.aspx



[Edited on 25/3/17 by robinsoncrusoe55]

Just a thought... if it's a semi-sort-of-permanent-won't-be-moved-around-sort-of-thing then there is the 16A round pin variant.
Ideal for my welders, plasma cutters, compressors and that sort of thing, oh, and possibly(?) deep fat fryers (though I certainly have no experience of that equipment).