Better care of AV equipment

I read with interest The Sunday Times FT article on "Better care of AV equipment -I" which appeared last week.

The problem here is that Sri Lanka’s electricity system has no single standard on socket outlets and plugs. We import electrical equipment having power cords fitted with all types of plugs. On three-pin plugs, CEB approves building wiring fitted with both round pin type and rectangular type socket outlets.

On two-pin plugs, equipment comes to Sri Lanka with European type, Japanese type and Indian type plugs. Even within Europe different types are used in Germany, Switzerland and Italy and of course UK. Visit <http://users.pandora.be/worldstandards/electricity.htm#plugs> for details of different types of plugs in use world wide. These vary in diameter and separation. Some have only part of the pin exposed and the rest insulated.

Except the German type, other two-pin plugs have a diameter less than the diameter of the current carrying pins in the 5-Amp. 3-pin round type plugs used in Sri Lanka and therefore will not fit properly into our wall sockets. Further these need to be inserted after opening the shutter with a separate object. They also will not fit properly with outlets provided in extension cords and multi-socket adapters. Today most manufacturers of electrical equipment provide only two-pin plugs because of compactness and low current capacity. This practice is allowed in Standards Specifications in all countries provided the equipment is double insulated with non-metalic casing, which almost all equipment have. The local wiring regulations had been prepared several decades ago and had not provided for the use of equipment fitted with 2-pin plugs which has been a more recent trend, and these need changing to meet today's requirements.

The local wiring regulations in Sri Lanka should provide for the installation of socket outlets which accommodate one particular type of two-pin plugs (in addition to the normal 3-pin plugs).

Concurrently regulations should be brought in that will permit the import or manufacture of equipment fitted with only that type of 2-pin plugs. Such dual type socket outlets are in use in India for example. Perhaps, the local trade could introduce such dual type Indian socket outlets into the local market.

As you may be aware, Australia and New Zealand use their own style of plugs with three flat pins fitted at approximately120 degree angle. Any electrical item imported from whatever country there for sale should be provided with only that type of plugs. That is the law there, which unfortunately we do not have.

Recently I purchased an audio set up imported from China from a well-known vendor, and it had this type of plug. On inquiry I was told that this equipment was made for the Australian market and hence it came with that type of plug. In the absence of any policy or regulations, the traders import equipment fitted with whatever type of plugs whether they work properly with our socket outlets or not. This practice should stop.