Old Orange 4pin welding plug illegal or not

[Thys LOW Elektries]

A client is redoing an old shop converting it to a butchery. A number of his machines uses the old orange steel 4 pin welding plugs. He needs new 3 phase 4 pin plugs and was told the old orange plugs is not legal anymore and he needs to install the hew blue 4 pin plugs?!

Not sure about this though. Since there is no stock, of the blue plugs (male and female) available locally and he needs to open shop, I recommend he uses 3 phase Isolators till we can confirm the legal or illegal aspect of the plugs and we he can get stock if needed.

Any person out there with a bit more knowledge on the 3 phase legality of these plugs please let me know what is the truth.

Greatings

[GCE]

The socket outlet you refer to is the old " Nova" socket -
Extract from SANS 10142-1 ed3 that is pretty clear as to where you can use

6.15.1.1.2 Socket-outlets intended for the connection of industrial type
equipment such as welding machines, shall conform to the dimensions given
in SANS 60309-1 and SANS 60309-2. NOVA and DIN socket-outlets may
only be fitted as replacement of, and in extension to, an installation where
such socket-outlets exist.

[Thys LOW Elektries]

Thanks for the pointer in the right direction. So if you move to a new premise you have to upgrade your plugs if the new premise don't have NOVA and DIN sockets
Existing NOVA and DIN plugs are legal in an existing installation so you don't have to replace them when you do a COC inspection

Thanks for the advise
Why have the plugs been discontinued? Any ideas?
Thanks once again.

[Dylboy]

If you can please post a pic of it. I don't believe I have seen one and would love to see what it looks like please

Sent from my CPH2197 using Tapatalk

[Derlyn]

I find it rather strange that there is a difference approach between normal 16A socket outlets and welding plugs as far as upgrading is concerned.

The wording of 6.15.1.1.2 is such that NOVA and DIN sockets and plugs can be used forever in installations where they are presently being used, however, 16A socket outlets must be replaced with new Za plugs if they become faulty.

I wonder why this is ?

[GCE]

If you can please post a pic of it. I don't believe I have seen one and would love to see what it looks like please

Sent from my CPH2197 using Tapatalk

https://britelighting.co.za/collections/nova-plugtops-and-sockets

[GCE]

I find it rather strange that there is a difference approach between normal 16A socket outlets and welding plugs as far as upgrading is concerned.

The wording of 6.15.1.1.2 is such that NOVA and DIN sockets and plugs can be used forever in installations where they are presently being used, however, 16A socket outlets must be replaced with new Za plugs if they become faulty.

I wonder why this is ?

I am guessing , but there was no safety issue with the Nova sockets it was mainly because of the neutral and also you could pull the plug top out without switch off .
We used to always get burnt pins on the nova in the factories , they never seated properly

The feeling is that the new eruo socket is safer in domestic installations as you cannot touch the earth or live pins when pulling the plug out

[Derlyn]

@GCE

I understand the reason for upgrading.
What I cannot understand is why the old style 16A socket outlet MUST be replaced with a euro plug when faulty, however, this is not necessary with the NOVA DIN plugs and sockets.

Surely if the plan is to do away with NOVA DIN, then one would be forced to replace them with new style industrial plugs when they go faulty, but according to the regulation it is not necessary.

According to the regulation it is only necessary in new builds.

I was under the impression that replacing a faulty socket outlet is the same as installing one in a new build.

[GCE]

I understand the reason for upgrading.
What I cannot understand is why the old style 16A socket outlet MUST be replaced with a euro plug when faulty, however, this is not necessary with the NOVA DIN plugs and sockets.

I can only think it is the safety factor and that there are more people/kids injured in domestic environments then in industrial applications.

And tongue in cheek - The Nova socket change was written years ago and has not changed - In those days there was lot's of common sense which into todays times there seems to be a lack of.

According to the regulation it is only necessary in new builds.

I was under the impression that replacing a faulty socket outlet is the same as installing one in a new build.

Yip , I read it that way as well - other say no it is the same as the nova socket
I replace with combo socket , find most people want the combo