16 amp power convertors

[DJ Frankie]

Hi Folks

I have been looking at 13amp to 16 amp convertors to keep in my cable box in case I ever come across a venue with this supply system.

Now I know nothing about electrics so need some advice form you guys.
I have seen these adapters for sale here: second one down.
http://www.worldofpower.co.uk/acatalog/Generator_Plugs.html

Now are these the power supplies the same ones you get in marquess or large stage enviroments and would this adapter be ok for the job? :o

Also what is the benefit in running 16amps instead of the normal 13?

[addoaddo]

I assume that you mean a 16A plug to a 13A socket so that you can plug in your normal leads.

These are often used in marquees as they offer better protection from water.

If you use a single adaptor you will be limited to 13A fuse in your plug top. Depending on the size of your rig this may be OK

[DJ Frankie]

Hello Mate,

Doh!!!! Yeah thats what I meant. So am I right in thinking if I purchased one of these 16A convertors I would still only be limited to 13A of power?

Basically I wanted to purchase a convertor in case I ever worked a marquee where the coinnection is only 16A, so this would be ok?

[Excalibur]

The adaptors are probably not best suited to your purpose. Get a friendly Sparky to make you up a cable like eight down, except with 2.5mm2 cable, and a double socket attached. With a short length of cable attached it can make life easier. Also, the prices of the components are way lower than the made up items on there. That would give the full
16A

[Corabar Steve]

Tony (A1DL) is the best person for advice on this

[A1DL]

Tony (A1DL) is the best person for advice on this

Thank you Sir :o



Now I know nothing about electrics so need some advice form you guys.
I have seen these adapters for sale here: second one down.
http://www.worldofpower.co.uk/acatalog/Generator_Plugs.html

Now are these the power supplies the same ones you get in marquess or large stage enviroments and would this adapter be ok for the job? :o

Also what is the benefit in running 16amps instead of the normal 13?

Hi Frankie

Personally I dislike the type of adaptor pictured on the link above, as IMHO they encourage unsuitable use. Let me explain why... the only real advantage of using baby (16a) ceeforms over 13a domestic BS1363 plugtops is their insulation properties. The minimum rating for a ceeform is IP44 ("splashproof" putting it in layman's terms) making it suitable for use as an outdoor connector.

16a sockets are commonly found on small gennies. Gennies have to be used outdoors. The adaptor pictured in the link loses the IP44 properties of the ceeform and I can see people would be encouraged to plug the adaptor straight into the genny's output, subjecting it to the elements.

Much better practice would be to have a 16a ceeform extension to connect to the genny, then a short 16a ceeform plug to 13a BS1363 socket adapter INSIDE the marquee that you can see.

As far as large stage environments go, you are correct - ceeforms are a very common and safe connector and exist in 125a, 63a, 32a and 16a variants in both single and three phase. Above 125a, the industry standard connectors are Powerlocks/Camlocks, however the distinct difference is that you have five separate plugs and five separate sockets, one for each phase, neutral and earth. Extreme vigilance is required when using these, to ensure no connection or disconnection under load, and to ensure they are connected in the correct sequence (E,N,L1,2,3) and disconnected in the correct sequence (L1,2,3,N,E) as a failsafe to ensure no loss of earth or loss of neutral. The first thing to learn when working in event power: "Lose a leg (phase) - Lose the show, Lose the neutral - lose the gear, Lose the earth - lose a life." And that is so, so true.

Tony

[DJ Frankie]

Hi Tony

Thanks for the advice. Basically I only really want some kind of back up lead for me to plug into a 16amp plug thats on the inside of a marquee and not on a generator, in case the gennie people ever forget to leave an extension our for me. Can you advise a suitable lead for this?

[A1DL]

Hi Tony

Thanks for the advice. Basically I only really want some kind of back up lead for me to plug into a 16amp plug (assume you mean socket) thats on the inside of a marquee and not on a generator, in case the gennie people ever forget to leave an extension our for me. Can you advise a suitable lead for this?


Frankie

I'm slightly confused by what you're saying here, as if the marquee or power provider forgets to leave an extension for you, then you're not going to have a 16a socket on the inside of the marquee...

... unless you are intending on connecting to a distro on the inside of the marquee with 16a outlets?

With smaller single phase gensets, it is commonplace to connect to the range of 32a and 16a ceeform sockets on the panel on the genny itself. With larger 3-phase sets, it is commonplace for the power provider to run a big cable (often 16mm 63/3 cable or larger) to a distro, to which smaller cees are connected and (hopefully) balanced across phases to supply different areas - catering tent, chandeliers, outside lighting, bar, sound, LX etc.

Your best bet would be to get a 16a ceeform plug to socket, 20metres should be good for most jobs, in 2.5mm HO7 RNF and a short 16a ceeform
plug to 13a socket jumper.

Hope this helps

Tony

[DJ Frankie]

Sorry Mate, im probably confusing myself here. :p

Basically all I want to know is where I can purchase a lead that can connect to one of those Blue 3 pin socket connecters which also has a 13A extension running of it?

[Corabar Steve]

Basically you want something that will convert from a 16A Ceeform to a 13A 4 / 6 gang socket?

[theoloyla]

Sorry Mate, im probably confusing myself here. :p

Basically all I want to know is where I can purchase a lead that can connect to one of those Blue 3 pin socket connecters which also has a 13A extension running of it?
Most good caravan and camping shops but as has been said once you plug into the 13amp socket you havent got the weatherproofing; so you need to keep them dry.

[DJ Frankie]

Basically you want something that will convert from a 16A Ceeform to a 13A 4 / 6 gang socket?

Thats right Steve, something simular to what the Marquee guys leave for Djs and bands. It normally has a 3pin blue plug one end and a 4 way extension lead of the other (Which we plug into). Now I assume the blue 3 pin plug is running directly from the gennie???? :bang:

[mb3]

I have a couple of B&Q extension reels, with the 13a plug cut off 1/2 metre from the plug and a 16a CEE plug (95p) fitted. A 16a CEE socket fitted to the plug and remaining flex means I have a combination 13a to 13a, 13a to 16a, 16a to 13a and 16a to 16a extension.

It's important to remember that the 16a CEE plug does not have an integral fuse, but the main 16a socket should be correctly fused.

Also it's important to remember that the 13a plug and socket should not be exposed to damp.

[Excalibur]

Thank you Sir :o




Hi Frankie

Personally I dislike the type of adaptor pictured on the link above, as IMHO they encourage unsuitable use. Let me explain why... the only real advantage of using baby (16a) ceeforms over 13a domestic BS1363 plugtops is their insulation properties. The minimum rating for a ceeform is IP44 ("splashproof" putting it in layman's terms) making it suitable for use as an outdoor connector.

16a sockets are commonly found on small gennies. Gennies have to be used outdoors. The adaptor pictured in the link loses the IP44 properties of the ceeform and I can see people would be encouraged to plug the adaptor straight into the genny's output, subjecting it to the elements.

Much better practice would be to have a 16a ceeform extension to connect to the genny, then a short 16a ceeform plug to 13a BS1363 socket adapter INSIDE the marquee that you can see.

As far as large stage environments go, you are correct - ceeforms are a very common and safe connector and exist in 125a, 63a, 32a and 16a variants in both single and three phase. Above 125a, the industry standard connectors are Powerlocks/Camlocks, however the distinct difference is that you have five separate plugs and five separate sockets, one for each phase, neutral and earth. Extreme vigilance is required when using these, to ensure no connection or disconnection under load, and to ensure they are connected in the correct sequence (E,N,L1,2,3) and disconnected in the correct sequence (L1,2,3,N,E) as a failsafe to ensure no loss of earth or loss of neutral. The first thing to learn when working in event power: "Lose a leg (phase) - Lose the show, Lose the neutral - lose the gear, Lose the earth - lose a life." And that is so, so true.

Tony

Tony, I agree totally with everything you say, but the original request was for simply a 16A to 13A convertor. Subject to the provisos you have made ( and in the original post it did say INSIDE ) my suggestion fits the request, as it gives a 16A supply.


Hi Tony

Thanks for the advice. Basically I only really want some kind of back up lead for me to plug into a 16amp plug thats on the inside of a marquee and not on a generator, in case the gennie people ever forget to leave an extension our for me. Can you advise a suitable lead for this?

As above


Basically you want something that will convert from a 16A Ceeform to a 13A 4 / 6 gang socket?

Aha, now the goalposts move! This will have pros and cons. Pro, it has a fuse. Con, it has a 13A fuse, which loses a little available power, and if you have only one connector, you may possibly not have a big safety factor, as opposed to two 13A cables, which I think most of us like to have.


Thats right Steve, something simular to what the Marquee guys leave for Djs and bands. It normally has a 3pin blue plug one end and a 4 way extension lead of the other (Which we plug into). Now I assume the blue 3 pin plug is running directly from the gennie???? :bang:

That's not what was asked for in the original post, and don't forget that you don't have to have a Generator to have 16A sockets. As a belt and braces type of person, I would suggest TWO convertors. One made as Tony says, to bring power in from outside, should it ever be needed, and one short convertor to either a double socket, or 4/6 way, as an extra supply for inside use.