SANS 164-2

[Dave A]

...they didnt think to add the round 2 pin...the one that all electrical power tools are supplied and some of my kitchen appliances.

The Schuko socket?

yip.

Now there's another fine can of worms.

No Schuko plug or socket or may be imported or sold in SA (see page 4 of the attached Government Notice where it has been specifically declared illegal), but as you say, no shortage of them about.

VC 8008 (2010).pdf

For those not familiar with the Schuko outlet -

[AndyD]

Is that your bathroom Dave? As the estate agents say...location, location, location and that's certainly a lovely location for that socket, I can only assume there's a nice big 20Amp isolating transformer behind it. Nice to see it covers all bases and even the illegal ones with equal aplomb, there's even a cunning little ledge under it giving you somewhere to balance your hairdryer above the full basin. Certainly goes above and beyond, full marks from me.

[Dave A]

As the estate agents say...location, location, location and that's certainly a lovely location for that socket, I can only assume there's a nice big 20Amp isolating transformer behind it.

It was actually the query about the location we posed to the ECA technical advisory staff that "induced" the point about the Schuko socket & outlet ban.

[GCE]

Hi Dave

Do you still have the answer handy with regards to the location of the socket and proximity of the basin ( let's forget about the illegal schuko)

My understanding would be if the bath or shower basin is far enough away from the socket outlet , being 600mm ( Zone 2) , then the socket outlet would be allowed above the basin/tap.
Socket outlets on Earth leakage unit are allowed in zone 3

There are no zones around a hand basin and tap the way I read the regulations.

[Dave A]

There are no zones around a hand basin and tap the way I read the regulations.

Correct. Not in SA anyway.
Madness, I reckon.

[ians]

Correct. Not in SA anyway.
Madness, I reckon.

Common sense would be the logical answer...but as you mentioned...not in SA

[ians]

I thought i would do some scratching...

The unearthed schuko plugs falls under SANS 164-6

2 pole systems, 16A 250 Vac for connection of class 2 equipment.

MCE sell them and advertise on the front page of the sparks mag.

The Schuko socket?


Now there's another fine can of worms.

No Schuko plug or socket or may be imported or sold in SA (see page 4 of the attached Government Notice where it has been specifically declared illegal), but as you say, no shortage of them about.

VC 8008 (2010).pdf

For those not familiar with the Schuko outlet -

[Dave A]

And then you get the ones installed in the Vodacom charging kiosk in the domestic departure area at O.R. Tambo International Airport.







As you say, apparently the issue of concern is the exposed earth contact points. It did make me wonder about the wisdom of allowing bare copper wiring and strapping for earthing and bonding...

Perhaps that is why the ban comes via Department of Trade and Industry

[GCE]

The main reason for the ban - If there is an earth fault ( small so as not to trip ) or the fault occurs while unplugging - The live pin could still be connected to the socket outlet while the earth has disconnected and you could be holding the earth strap on the side of the plug top effectively becoming the earth.
There is talk in Europe of having a re look at the schuko - Some of the countries have already stopped the use thereof