What is this?

[jimarious]

Hi
I have this socket in my garage (already there when i moved in) and not sure what it is.
Im looking to buy a mig welder soon (r tech 180 mig) and was wondering if this can be utilized or if it will need replacing?.
Any idea folks.

 

[MBB]

Old round pin socket plug replaced by square pin ones.

 

[rtbcomp]

15 amp mains socket, used to be the norm before the 13A 3-pin plugs & sockets were made standard.

Personally I'd fit a 16A commando socket wired into a modern consumer unit fitted with MCB & RCD.

 

[jimarious]

Thanks for the reply.
I know i need to get a modern consumer unit fitted (on a long list of things to get upgraded) and i will get a commando socket fitted but that wont be until quite later in the year.
I was hoping that it was somthing i could use in the interim.. to be honest when i do get my mig welder i shall only be doing a few bits on my cars so i dont beleive i will need anything over a standard socket for now.

 

[rtbcomp]

I'd have a good look at the rest of the wiring and what protection is in place. You can still get the 15A plugs (unfused) or you could fit a 13A socket, if the welder will run off one OK.

 

[jimarious]

Just had a look and it looks like its linked to a 20a fuse (middle one), not sure what protection this offers vs a standard 13a plug socket linking to same consumer unit. I suppose the 13amp plug offers more protection as this will blow rather than using the unfused 15a plug straight to this.

 

[jimbo84]

Be carefull with the above fuses, some have asbestos flashbacks (visible with the fuse out).

You could get a 15a plug and wire onto it a 13a rcd protected socket, trailing socket style adapter for better protection until you get the consumer unit sorted. It would be worth testing the presence of an earth too if you have a tester.

Rewireable fuses are a pretty crude method of protection.

 

[jimarious]

I think I will just leave it alone and stick to the normal 13a outlet at this point, like I said earlier I'm only going to use the mig for a bit of body panel work so running it off the standard plug should be fine.
Appreciate the heads up regarding the asbestos

 

[jimbo84]

There are different versions so yours may be ok but some definately had it.

 

[frank horton]

I prefer the above fuses for welders..thats before 3phase.......
was used with a 180amp oil filled Oxford......

 

[jimarious]

So pardon my ignorance (googled phase 3 and still don't know what it means lol), but what advantage would these fuses have over a modern consumer unit. Are they less likely to not blow if welding at a higher amps Vs a modern consumer unit with trip switches. I imagine a modern unit is more likely to trip even with the correct amp rcd fitted.

 

[brightspark]

a rewirable fuse will take a lot more stick than a hrc fuse or an mcb

 

[optima21]

^^^^^^ I found the opposite with my MIG welder, on full power it would melt the 15A rewireable fuse after a couple of seconds (but not the 13A plug fuse). I used some new 15A wire and had the same, but when I changed to a 15A mcb it was fine.

 

[jimarious]

The more I think about it the more I want a modern consumer unit in there, one of my mates is a retired electrician and he said just buy the parts and he will fit it all for free (maybe a few beers).