Metal Clad Sockets For Greater Protection

It is obvious that any electrical application requires the best equipment for the electrical installation planned but sometimes this is a little difficult to obtain. There are times when the delicacy of the electrical equipment does conflict with the ruggedness of its intended operation. In the case of the electrical socket one of the ranges to consider is the metal clad 13 amp socket which has been specially developed for the industrial market but which also can have quite a niche application in the home garage or shed.

The metal clad sockets are designed to take some rough treatment and not for their looks. The socket is usually mounted on a surface mount metal box, the box is manufactured in a heavy gauge steel, which will withstand being knocked without any serious chance of damage. The front plate of the sockets case is also manufactured in heavy gauge steel, which is covered with an epoxy powder coating. This gives it protection against corrosion as well as protecting the electrical components. Metal clad sockets are extensively used in industrial applications and have a long history of successful usage and the improvements, which have occurred over the years, have helped to give a greater protection and a longer lifespan. Originally the socket box was metal but the front faces were plastic but the improvements in electrical insulation have vastly increased the usage of metal for faceplates for switches and sockets.

There is an excellent range of products, which have been developed, but it is important to get the right one for the application. Any socket in a hard-working area should be protected by an RCD unit, in the consumer unit preferably and this will mean that the circuit is isolated instantly there is any earth leakage. If the consumer unit does not have an RCD unit then it is possible to buy a metal clad 13 amp safety socket, which has an RCD unit, built into the socket. This means that the sockets and the equipment plugged into it are protected, but it should be noted that the cable behind the socket is not protected and it is possible to get a severe earth leakage if the wire is damaged or the socket knocked off the wall. The safety socket is really designed to deal with the safety circuit where the socket supplies power to a burglar alarm, fire, alarm or a freezer or refrigerator service where power should be kept unless the safety circuit itself is suspect. A good supplier can always advise on the best practice.