How safe are power sockets and tracks?
THE CONVENTIONAL POWER SOCKET HAS COME A LONG WAY
Plugs and sockets for portable appliances became available in the 1880s, to replace connections to light sockets with wall-mounted outlets.
Today there are about 20 types in common use around the world. They are mainly developed for both convenience and protection from electrical injury.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC_power_plugs_and_sockets
The conventional electrical socket is the outcome of countless innovations backed with safety modifications learned from previous accidents.
Trying to reinvent the power socket means that we need to consider all the safety and technical features that are built into every electrical socket to ensure the safety of its users.
REINVENTING THE POWER SOCKETS WITH POWER TRACKS
A power track is a power socket replacement. It aims to replace the conventional power socket to add the much-desired flexibility and technology to this 140-year-old invention.
As power tracks only came into popularity in the last couple of years, the regulatory and safety bodies are still trying to catch up and set a safety standard for these new hybrid devices.
SO HOW SAFE ARE POWER TRACKS?
Safety is of the utmost importance as there is a real life-threatening risk when one gets electrocuted from a poorly design or manufactured electrical power track.
There is essentially no risk when the power track is designed and manufactured by a reputable engineering and electrical firm that is well versed with electrical safety and its designs.
A POWER TRACK IS NOT A CONSUMER ELECTRICAL DEVICE
Power tracks are currently viewed by many as regular consumer electronics and manufacturing firms of regular consumer electronics are coming in with their designs that don’t adhere to the strict safety and engineering standards of a reputable electrical engineering firm.
It is soon that the safety and certification bodies will catch up with unsafe products. However, there is a window of opportunity for these consumer electronic manufacturing firms to come in and make a quick buck with their designs which fail to adhere to the strict safety guidelines that reputable electrical manufacturing firms adhere to.
Things from the wrong use of conductor materials, use of low voltage components for high voltage application, use of cheaper materials like copper and brass instead of the more expensive silver and gold where the use of these materials are required, poorly design or non-existent earth conductors and grounded shields, just to name a few. Conventional power sockets seldom have these shortcomings because proper certification is required before it can be sold.
CHOOSING THE CORRECT POWER TRACK
A good power track needs to have the following
An adequate gauge of the electrical conductor to carry the rated current
Proper grounding for enclosures and housing
Earth contact has to be first to make a connection and last to disconnect and the resistance and contact quality and gauge needs to be equal to or more than the rated current
Well-engineered electrical path with as few as possible interconnects
Adequate cooling on all electrical conductors to prevent overheating in the event of overload
Overload protection to ensure that the load is less than the rated current of the power track
Durability and high MTBF for all mechanical and electrical components
Mechanisms which prevent or eliminate electrical arcing which will damage electrical contacts and raise resistance
Proper electrical switch design for the designed electrical load using precious metals to ensure a low resistance, corrosion-proof properties of the electrical switch.
Mechanisms to ensure the correct orientation and contact order of the electrical connection
Use of proper materials for insulators that have high electrical strength with good insulation properties with fire-resistance, heat resistance, and low wear properties.
Product Safety Tips for Consumers
http://www.scivee.tv/10-ways-to-protect-your-children-from-electrical-hazards/
https://www.ema.gov.sg/Electrical_Safety.aspx
Line8, a locally founded R&D and Engineering Company develops and manufactures the Line8 Power Track System. Our products have proven to be innovative and aesthetically pleasing in many of our customer's homes locally and overseas.
Learn more at : www.line8.com.sg