Is this happening only in Germany? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Furna
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2025, 11:41:10 am
content: I hope this is happening only in Germany but I fear it is a new EU regulation.I went to buy a 3 slots power strip to be settled in a transparent plastic box to power very low power devices that I want to protect from dust.I was not able to find a power strip that is serviceable to detach the cable so to make just a small hole in the plastic box.No power strip with classic flat/cross head screws ... just what I took a photo of.In the last few years I saw very strange screws but at least there was a way to undo them ... this one doesn't even look a screw.Looks a plastic press fit and game over.Anyone have an idea how to open it?Before I cut the cable an resolder it? I was not even able to find a replacement power plug.Was I in a shop dedicated to babies and I didn't realize?

author: The Soulman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2025, 11:46:48 am
content: This has been common for years, maybe safety releated but more likely to lower the cost of production a cent or two.Some supply stores sell them without cord, but are usually three times the cost.

author: The Soulman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2025, 11:49:53 am
content: example:https://toom.de/p/steckdosenleiste-ohne-leitung/9062262

author: Furna
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2025, 11:58:12 am
content: Quote from: The Soulman on July 12, 2025, 11:46:48 amCrazy world! So I guess it's happening in Netherlands too ... so Europe.Safety??? I am going to cut the cable ... what is safer? :-)I guess is to make more money.Quote from: The Soulman on July 12, 2025, 11:49:53 amYeah, I already bought it.Thank you anyway.

author: tunk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2025, 12:02:59 pm
content: You could try to carefully drill out the heads only, and then see if you can pry out the rest of the plugs.Then find some suitable screws. If not, use (super)glue to put it together again.

author: JohanH
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2025, 12:07:07 pm
content: I haven't seen in a long time regular power strips that can be opened, and we use the same ones as in Germany. I'm sure its due to cost savings. You can find more expensive, special ones like in the link, or rack mount versions and perhaps some with in-built surge protection and such that have screws. I've sometimes drilled them open from the top and replaced the metal plug with a screw, but it's messy.

author: analogueAdder
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2025, 12:08:19 pm
content: You're probably better off buying a new plug instead of messing with the power strip side of things. And you'll get something that can be taken apart on the end of that cable.Although I won't deny that I love molded plugs...

author: Furna
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2025, 12:28:47 pm
content: Quote from: analogueAdder on July 12, 2025, 12:08:19 pmYou are right but I have to get out of home again ...

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2025, 01:24:01 pm
content: No user serviceable parts inside - the wires are crimped to contact strips. The only way would be to add in-line crimps, Wago connectors etc. Either way, you would void their product GS / CE approval. You can see why they use tamper proof fixings, most people aren't engineers.EDIT:Quote from: Furna on July 12, 2025, 11:41:10 amNot at all, the manufacturer fitted anti-tamper fixings to make it clear to fire investigators (not suggesting in your specific case, but generally) that the owner has relieved them of any safety responsibility and taken it on themselves. The system works.

author: Furna
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2025, 01:46:06 pm
content: Most people were not engineers also in the past and I don't remember news about death people because they shorted a power strip cable.Most people had better common sense then I guess.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2025, 01:49:09 pm
content: Really? Many fires have been caused by old / defective / overloaded power strips, that's why their use is discouraged.P.S. Please see my edit about transfer of safety responsibility above.

author: analogueAdder
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2025, 02:17:53 pm
content: I was expecting those wires to be crimped or spot welded. On particularly disappointing power strips, they're soldered in the most mediocre way possible, but I think this is a third world problem.Quote from: Furna on July 12, 2025, 12:28:47 pmThink about getting yet another multimeter, this should give you enough motivation to go outside!

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2025, 04:03:33 pm
content: You can buy power strips without cable from Reichelt, for example. The hardware stores in my area all sell Schuko plugs but you could also look for a sparky shop. I'm also unhappy with the tamper-proof standard power strips because it's not possible to replace the cable or to clean the inside.

author: analogueAdder
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2025, 04:27:07 pm
content: Quote from: madires on July 12, 2025, 04:03:33 pmNow I have to check if that local sparky supplier has the Vimar ones back in stock... I've been thinking about buying some of those for a while but always ended up buying test gear instead...

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2025, 05:11:29 pm
content: Quote from: The Soulman on July 12, 2025, 11:46:48 amYes.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2025, 06:10:15 pm
content: Quote from: analogueAdder on July 12, 2025, 04:27:07 pmCheck ebay for used server rack power strips. They're available a a variety of lengths (including short ones), use proper sockets and are fully maintainable. Worth a try if for lab use. I've found some surprisingly cheap ones over the years.

author: m k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2025, 07:16:50 pm
content: They don't report very accurately, but back in the day fatal situation wasn't unheard of.Schuko has helped, but real help is that round 0-class wall inlets are not really a norm anymore.(missing of opportunity to do too universal DIY extensions)I've once bought an extension of that round style for turntable, and cut the male part to fit where it must go.It's still in use, but now all connected plugs are C7 Europlugs.(before renovation the wall was also without PE)For the safety screws,one nasty is Y-style, fasten only type, there back side of a cut of a head is a slope.Sharp tip or high attack angle drill bit style thing may help.Or small grinding tips for flattening the whole head away.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2025, 08:46:30 pm
content: Unfortunately they are lumped in with 'caused by an electrical fault'. That group forms a very significant proportion of house fire ignition sources. Most house fire fatalities don't even make the news unless particularly poignant. Given that house fixed wiring is generally pretty stable, embedded in walls etc, most of the remainder will be made up of 'what people have plugged into wall outlets'. Given that appliances themselves, apart from 'certain imports', will have gone through genuine safety approvals, subtracting fluffy tumble driers worn dishwasher wiring, the odd fridge etc. that leaves...?Anti tamper screws have been devalued by the cheap and ready availability of anti tamper screw bit sets. Just check Amazon, ebay, Ali etc. You can even get different lengths for deeply recessed screws.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2025, 09:28:09 pm
content: I don't think I've seen any extension leads in the UK like that, but it wouldn't surprise me if they exist.Heck, I remember a time when many appliances were sold without a plug, which had to be purchased separately. They became mandatory some time in the 80s or early 90s. I suppose it was in the interests of safety, to cut down on the number of accidents from people miswiring plugs.

author: Siwastaja
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2025, 11:22:46 am
content: Quote from: Furna on July 12, 2025, 01:46:06 pmYou don't remember because you never looked at it.Near the turn of the century I liked to look at the death by electrocution statistics of Finland just for fun and giggles, and while at it, learned a few things, like:1) Death by electrocution from self-made extension cords or modified ones was ridiculously common, like in top-3 of the reasons. In 1980's, in such small country as Finland, several people died every year due to this.2) Death by electrocution has plummeted to like 1/50th in just 20-30 years.One of the key differences today are RCDs, but also the cultural change of not DIYing your own extension cables, something so-called "boomers" did.And the way people managed to electrocute themselves (or others! - that's the sad part) was not "shorting" a cable, it was mixing up PE with something else.I hope you know what PE is and how sacred it is, and why.

author: Furna
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2025, 12:26:08 pm
content: Quote from: Siwastaja on July 13, 2025, 11:22:46 amYes I know what Protective Earth is.In my building derived fron Neutral => not shared with other partments.I guess it's the same in the whole Germany.Safety??I ended up buyinng a new power strip and searching better for a replacement plug.Guess what ... the replacement plug has screws. Proper ones.Lower cost of productionNo ... it could be if a plastic one shot press fit but those are screw with a flat head.Flat head for a screw? Need diffrent machineries => higher cost.I stay with the idea: it is to sell the replacemnt plug.The opened power strip?Labeled and stored in a dedicated box, earth removed to be used only in apropriate cases.Thanks to all that answered my rant.Rant is over :-)

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2025, 12:30:51 pm
content: Quote from: Furna on July 13, 2025, 12:26:08 pmYes. The cost of the equipment to secure the cover is irrelevant, it doesn't change because you fit a different drive bit (and these probably aren't actually screws). The lower cost of production is in the termination - crimp and ultrasonic weld to the bus bar -> cheaper than screw terminals, no screw to work loose. No screw terminals, no safe way to replace the cable, so provide no access so people don't bodge things.Quote99% of these extension strips will never have the cable changed or need the plug removing to feed the cable through an opening, whether they're rewireable or not. The companies manufacturing the strips are not typically the ones manufacturing rewireable plugs. They do not care whether you buy a plug or not.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2025, 12:51:43 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on July 13, 2025, 12:30:51 pmThat must vary by market. In Switzerland they most definitely are the same companies, at least as far as what you find at retail. (But that could be because Swiss plugs are such a niche market that it’s not surprising that a few companies sorta specialize in them.)From what I’ve seen in catalogs, also in Germany at least to some extent (for example, Brennstuhl, the brand OP bought), and thus presumably in other Schuko countries.Of course, none of that changes the validity of your conclusion, which I 100% agree with: power strips practically never have their plugs replaced. I suspect it’s well over 99%.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2025, 12:55:06 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on July 13, 2025, 12:30:51 pmI don't have a sufficient sample size to confirm it but, from the few I have, I think thereisa correlation between those with internal screw terminals and have fixing screws and those that are truly disposable, where replacing the internal connections would be a bodge, which are ultrasonically staked or push fit 'nails'. Looking again at the OP's photos those flat heads look like push fit rather than actual [anti tamper] screws.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2025, 01:01:09 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on July 13, 2025, 12:51:43 pmAdmittedly there's some overlap here also, however for every name branded example where they might supply plugs there are a dozen different offerings from other suppliers who are clearly not putting plugs onto the market, all with the same permanent terminations and lack of access. They would not bother to do that if the sole reason was to sell a product they don't sell.Quote from: Gyro on July 13, 2025, 12:55:06 pmYes, they likely are just nails rather than screws in this case, easier than manufacturing a breakaway head for plastic use. This, for example,is a nail, and yet it may appear screw-like to some:

author: Furna
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2025, 01:07:42 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on July 13, 2025, 12:55:06 pmNope ... screws with a flat head ... since you cvan easily drill them, next step is to make the head semi-spherical

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2025, 01:13:08 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on July 13, 2025, 01:01:09 pmYeah. Here in Switzerland, nearly all power strips are from a few electrical companies (Steffen, Max Hauri, and Brennenstuhl), plus IKEA. Steffen and Max Hauri are the two brands of attachable plugs that one finds at retail. (There exist a few more, but harder to find.) Anecdotally, I think Steffen is probably the most popular power strip brand here overall.But yeah, regardless, I don’t think that “sale of replacement plugs” is even the tiniest factor in their power strip calculations. They’d all rather sell you a new power strip rather than a plug. Not that I can envision any situation where that would be necessary. Receptacles fail, but molded-on plugs (on PVC cable) almost never do, absent gross abuse by the user.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2025, 01:18:25 pm
content: Quote from: Furna on July 13, 2025, 01:07:42 pmIt’s possible the heads are actually not round: one style of security bit is a shape that is a veeeery slightly elongated circle.

author: bw2341
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2025, 03:48:10 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on July 13, 2025, 01:18:25 pmI agree with Gryo that it is likely a push fit with a rivet-shaped thick pin with smooth sides. The top half of the case would have a larger plastic post with a blind hole in it. The bottom half of the case would have a smaller post with a through hole to the exterior bottom of the case.When the case is closed, the hollow post from the bottom half is inserted into the post in the upper half. From the outside of the case, the rivet is pushed into the hollow post, jam fitting the assembly.The power bar on my desk has a simpler version of the idea with a tapered solid post jammed into a hollow post. By using a tough plastic for the case, the jam fit is very tight. The edges of the two halves are heavily marred from my prying it open to replace the circuit breaker switch.

author: m k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 01:12:33 pm
content: Quote from: Furna on July 12, 2025, 11:41:10 amYou can still drill it.For those fasten only heads you need a grinder tip.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 09:58:54 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on July 13, 2025, 01:01:09 pmThe manufacturer calls it a "screw nail".https://www.forgefix.co.uk/Products/hammer-fixing-zyp-bagged/10HF10160

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 10:06:35 pm
content: Quote from: thm_w on July 14, 2025, 09:58:54 pmI'm aware. It's a nail. You drive it in with a hammer. In this case it's removable - without the pozidriv recess, it becomes what we see on these outlet strips.