"Wheel of death" travel adapter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2019, 05:33:16 pm
content: This looks "interesting". Imagine what happens if it goes wronghttps://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/travel-adapters/2604682/I'm surprised something like that got cert!

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 13, 2019, 05:38:49 pm
content: Nothing happens. It's safer than most of the universal travel adapters. All of the plugs are always insulated from each other.

author: Raj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2019, 05:45:41 pm
content: By not looking at it with detail... One would assume, there's no switch, and all plus are connected to each other.Looking at it carefully, you'll see that the socket is acting like a rotary switch.The worst that could happen, hitting it and impailing yourself

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2019, 05:48:43 pm
content: I am aware you're not going to kill yourself (immediately) with it.I am aware however what happens if it gets damp inside or the contacts are made of chinesium and end up spreading themselves all around the rotor. It's rated for 16A apparently as well.And yes it's safer than most. I've got a shucko to UK extension lead like this for Euro travel:

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 13, 2019, 05:53:29 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on January 13, 2019, 05:48:43 pmThen take another 4 with you.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 13, 2019, 05:58:58 pm
content: BTW of course I don't know about it's internal construction. But as I see it, there easily could be more than 15 mm of creepage distance between the plugs at any time.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2019, 06:48:00 pm
content: Without taking one apart I can't say how safe it is, but it certainly doesn't look very ergonomic. Is it common to visit multiple different countries with different power sockets on a single trip? On the rare occasions I've ventured outside of NEMA-15 land I took along an adapter suitable for my specific destination.

author: MrMobodies
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2019, 08:10:01 pm
content: Edit: Sorry a mistake about below. I did not look at the top piece properly where the plugs go in and assumed it accepted an earth connection from the plug with the plastic pins earth and and one earth pin being metal to the socket.Quote from: bd139 on January 13, 2019, 05:33:16 pmTake a look at the earth pins.The UK earth pin is plastic and the Australian one is metal.Not very consistent.QuoteWhat an excuse.Very bad coming from RS Components.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2019, 08:23:30 pm
content: Quote from: MrMobodies on January 13, 2019, 08:10:01 pmI don't know where your problem is. Yes, this adapter is non-grounded, as is clearly stated. Who cares what shape and metal the "earth" pins are, since they are not connected to the (single, European style) outlet anyway?And while the adapter can be inserted into three-prongsockets(nothing wrong with that), you cannot insert a Schukopluginto its outlet. Only narrow "Euro" plugs without a protective earth terminal will fit: Note the plastic tabs in the outlet, which prevent insertion of the larger, round plugs.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 13, 2019, 08:23:51 pm
content: Quote from: MrMobodies on January 13, 2019, 08:10:01 pmIt's how non earthed UK plugs are, with a plastic earth pin. If you make Australian plug with a thin plastic pin, it will break. Although in Australian plug there probably shouldn't be earth pin at all.QuoteEarth pin has nothing to do with protection from surges. Also socket prevents from plugging in any earthed plugs into it, so this is irrelevant.

author: MrMobodies
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2019, 08:37:17 pm
content: Quote from: ebastler on January 13, 2019, 08:23:30 pmQuoteIt does not accept an earth connection (on the top bit) where the plug goes in, so earth pin is not needed.Oops, silly me I didn't look at the picture well enough.Sorry my mistake.I have seen some that do accept earth but no earth pin.Quote from: wraper on January 13, 2019, 08:23:51 pmI wasn't referring to surges.Sorry, I thought it was in here because it was one of those dodgy ones that accept earth with a plastic pin and I didn't look properly silly me my fault.Don't know what's wrong with me today.I see the dial around it spins around to move the the pins in and out.How is that dodgy though?Is it because accidentally moving the dial when connected up could also move the pins far enough to still reach and be connected to the terminals and expose the pins?

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2019, 11:31:50 pm
content: The UK earth pin is much thicker, if the Australian one were made of plastic it would snap off. The UK earth pin is required mechanically to open the shutters as well as provide polarization, I don't know why they bothered with the Australian one.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2019, 12:59:57 am
content: Quote from: james_s on January 13, 2019, 11:31:50 pmEasy!Some Oz outlets also have shutters.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 14, 2019, 01:03:14 am
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on January 14, 2019, 12:59:57 amSo if say you have iphone charger you are screwed?

author: Treehouseman
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 14, 2019, 01:25:06 am
content: This looks like something that needs to be sent to BigClive to get a review/teardown.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2019, 03:23:00 am
content: Quote from: wraper on January 14, 2019, 01:03:14 amI did say "some"!Still not a major problem ----just drop into the local Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, or Kmart & pick up an "El Cheapo" power board without shutters.Admittedly, that wouldn't work if you arrive in Oz at 2 or 3am!--- but, in that case your adaptor wouldn't have shutters, anyway.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2019, 08:01:00 pm
content: Quote from: Treehouseman on January 14, 2019, 01:25:06 amNah, I don't think so. Boring.Really, folks. Kopp is a German brand manufacturer -- a budget one, but solid enough. The adapter has a "GS" logo, so TUV has actually tested it, it's not just a manufacturer's CE self-declaration. (I trust Kopp enough to assume that faking the logo is beneath them.)Let's all keep calm, continue to breathe normally, and maybe change the wildly click-baiting thread title.

author: MrMobodies
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2019, 01:30:47 pm
content: What tripped me up was that first picture:https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/travel-adapters/2604682/I assumed it was one of those ones that took earth from the appliance but had no earth connection to the outlet.QuoteAssumption: With not seeing the last picture I also misread that and thought they mean't it was okay to plug earth stuff in it despite it not being earth.On the last picture:It looks a bit bulky though.

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2019, 05:37:43 pm
content: It reminds me of this...https://www.artlebedev.com/vilkus/

author: MrMobodies
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2019, 06:41:27 pm
content: That sounds like a joke:QuoteI know they used electroshock therapy in insane asylums and I read that it also affects or erases memory as well.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2019, 07:21:31 pm
content: Everyone knows you should use one finger on every hand. None of your worries will bother you for the rest of your life.

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2019, 07:23:30 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on January 13, 2019, 05:33:16 pmThat would run a very close second to Lego if you stood on it, evil looking thing.