Have you seen this in-plug fuse arrangement before?

[Tom.G]

Looks just like home before the two recent moves!

 

[jaytwo]

LOL, let's hope not!

I'm guessing it's to protect against fire in the case of a stuck rotor, but who knows. I wonder if my other fans have fuses that are not accessible, and customers complained too much when the fans stopped working and they could not easily replace the fuse.

Yes! You are right. Many fires caused by stuck rotors. Consumer Product Safety Commission published a report in 2003 that stated "There were an estimated 4,500 fires associated with portable electric fans from 1990
through 1998. These fires resulted in more than 20 deaths, 270 injuries, and about $55 million in
property loss." UL 507 was updated to require the fuses in 2004.

 

[darth boozer]

View attachment 205713

This is the inside of the 3 pin plug used on most domestic and office equipment in the UK . Rated at 13 Amp but generally used on devices drawing up to about 10 Amp maximum . Various rated fuses can be fitted . Most common are 3 Amp and 13 Amp .

When used as intended, the internal fuse protects against excessive current through the individual plug, whatever the cause. This current can be well within the capacity of the ring main.

Problems can arise when the fuse is replaced with other objects, such as foil, nails or, in at least one case discovered, a live .22 bullet!

 

[Vanadium 50]

in at least one case discovered, a live .22 bullet!

When you blow that fuse, you really blow that fuse!

 

[berkeman]

Problems can arise when the fuse is replaced with other objects, such as foil, nails or, in at least one case discovered, a live .22 bullet!

Woo-wee! That's a new one on me!

 

[sophiecentaur]

When used as intended, the internal fuse protects against excessive current through the individual plug, whatever the cause. This current can be well within the capacity of the ring main.

The great shame is that replacement 13A plugs seem to arrive with 13A fuses in them. If they were supplied with 2 or 3A fuses then the majority of equipment would work fine. It would be put to the purchaser to have a supply of higher current fuses for beefier equipment. There are arguments against this, based on convenience but it would have been a good idea to start that way.

But nowadays, most appliances are supplied with moulded plugs on their leads and people mostly don't get involved with wiring plugs at all. The original fuse on a plug that's moulded on an appliance will be the right one. It may not be green practice but a faulty appliance is indication to buy a new one, these days.