20amp fuse supplied with a 13 amp rated plug for Plasma Cutter Cut-40

[EBME2]

Better than the fuse supplied in mine, tad more than 20A I think, went in the bin.

 

[Farside]

Hi all it’s probably been some time since I posted here, (if at all). I’ve recently bought a Cut-40 plasma cutter with air compressor which has a 13amp plug fitted to it. It can supposedly cut up to 6mm, however every time I try doing this it blows the fuses. The manufacturer has suggested I put a 20amp fuse inside instead. My understanding is that although technically it can be done, it’s illegal in the UK.

I do have a single 16/32amp rated industrial socket on a separate box which I use for my Mig welder. Although this may well be an electrician question, can I cut off the 13amp plug and instead fit a16amp (or 32amp) industrial plug on the end? I’m not sure I really want to do it this way as it will mean unplugging the welder every time.

Is the 20amp thing a problem or can this be done. The power cable for the plasma cutter is quite thick so at a guess it could be rated higher than 13amps.

Thanks

Outside of the UK, Lidl were selling their 40A plasma with a 16A Commando plug, so that shows how.

 

[roofman]

Outside of the UK, Lidl were selling their 40A plasma with a 16A Commando plug, so that shows how.

Correct mate, my 40A was bought from Germany by a member here who i then bought it off.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Outside of the UK, Lidl were selling their 40A plasma with a 16A Commando plug, so that shows how.

Inside the UK the compressor version (30a?) comes fitted with a 16a plug

 

[Kram]

The difference is that Euro plugs dont have fuses. Each socket has its own breaker back in their consumer unit, they dont have ring mains.

On the back of thebunit should be a data plate. Ignore the Imax rating, thats the peak current which may be of very low duration. The cables, fuses and plugs will be decided based on the Ieff rating, which takes jnto account, how long a unit is likely to draw that power.

My Lidl compressor kne, I thought was 40A? Anyway it runs perfectly fine off a 13A plug and 16A breaker - that was quite a suprise. I've cut 10mm plate with it.

 

[aesmith]

His advice regarding the 20amp fuse is in an email sent to me. He’s also stated most customers won’t be able to fit a 16 amp plug, which is why they ship with a mains plug.
I’m assuming this has worked for other customers or something much much worse.

The way I look at it a 20A fuse wouldn't comply with BS1362. If someone sets out to make non-compliant fuses then there's a good chance they'll be out of spec in other ways.

 

[MetalMonkey]

I do have a single 16/32amp rated industrial socket on a separate box which I use for my Mig welder. Although this may well be an electrician question, can I cut off the 13amp plug and instead fit a16amp (or 32amp) industrial plug on the end? I’m not sure I really want to do it this way as it will mean unplugging the welder every time.

Do you have a 16A or a 32A socket? It can't be both?

Fit a 16A plug if you have a 16A socket would be the best solution.
Usually these machines have a rocker switch so you can turn it off and on from the machine.

 

[Pete.]

Odd.....when the cheapy plasma cutters landed at HF, they were sold with no plug at all.
You were expected to unbolt the cover and wire in your own.

Used to be in the UK that appliances came without a plug. I used to refuse to buy any electrical item if they didn't throw a free plug in sinc without one the appliance is useless (apart from electric cookers of course which ar hard-wired).

It's no longer allowed to supply to the consumer that way been law since 1994.

 

[brightspark]

13 amp ovens allways come without a plug fitted ,some with leads and some come without

 

[DVA]

Do you have a 16A or a 32A socket? It can't be both?

Fit a 16A plug if you have a 16A socket would be the best solution.
Usually these machines have a rocker switch so you can turn it off and on from the machine.

 

[BrokenBiker]

if you want a 16 amp socket, you need to change one of those to a 16, otherwise you can only fit 32 amp, and a 16 amp plug doesnt fit a 32 amp socket