Ilan Actually I have to disagree with you that it is not handled correctly by 60950, 60335 etc. If you examine the tabulated requirements for fusing in the standard (and in some others) you will see under which combinations of circumstances you need 1 fuse or two fuses (on a single-phase equipment) and for what protection each can be used, i.e the separate aspects of overcurrent protection and leakage/touch current protection. In addition it should be noted that fusing within the product is actually "optional" - many simple 60335 domestic appliances have no fuse at all and rely entirely on the installation fuse/circuit breaker, etc., for OVERCURRENT protection; and either the earth continuity conductor or DOUBLE INSULATION for leakage/touch current protection - possibly in conjunction with a Residual Current Device/GFCI, etc. Regards John Allen, Technical Consultant EMC and Safety Engineering ERA Technology Ltd. Cleeve Road Leatherhead Surrey KT22 7SA UK Tel: +44-1372-367025 (Direct) +44-1372-367000 (Switchboard) Fax: +44-1372-367102
From: Ilan Cohen [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 29 October 2003 13:57 To: '[email protected]' Subject: Safety of Schuko CEE7 plug (earthed plug) in Europe? Dear Group I have been looking into the usage of the Continental European Plug also known as Schuko CEE7 plug (earthed plug). It can be inserted into the Wall socket without a way to ensure that line is connected to line and Neutral to Neutral. http://www.interpower.com/scripts/wsisa dll/WService=panel-icl/p80list2.p?w_country=Continental+Europe It presents a technical problem with products, which are protected by one fuse. Typically a fuse is installed in the Line in any product. To be really safe there should be two fusses, one in the line and another in the neutral. Does anyone know the actual regulations in Germany or other countries that started adopting these plugs regarding the number of fusses in the product? There is clearly a safety problem here, which is not being handled properly by safety standards like EN60950 (ITE) or EN60335 (Home appliances). But in the other hand it will be an overkill to request two fusses for products entering the EU (Germany, Italy...) ---------------------------------------------------------- Ilan Cohen Technical Director, Safety & Telecom Divisions I.T.L (PRODUCT TESTING) Ltd. 26 Hacharoshet St, POB 211, Or Yehuda, Israel. Tel 972-3-5339022, Fax 972-3-5339019 [email protected], website: http://www.itl.co.il ------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------- I-SPEC: The best place on the internet to learn about safety !! http://www.i-spec.com/ (I-Spec is provided free of charge as a service by ITL to the compliance community) ----------------------------------------------------------------- _____________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been scanned for viruses by MCI's Internet Managed Scanning Services - powered by MessageLabs. For further information visit http://www.mci.com ************************************************************************* Copyright ERA Technology Ltd. 2003. (www.era.co.uk). All rights reserved. The information supplied in this Commercial Communication should be treated in confidence. No liability whatsoever is accepted for any loss or damage suffered as a result of accessing this message or any attachments. _____________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been scanned for viruses by MCI's Internet Managed Scanning Services - powered by MessageLabs. For further information visit http://www.mci.com
