Spiders

[Hardlucktim]

If you ordered 15amp Male Spiders, what do you expect to receive ? Spiders with 15amp plugs fitted or 15amp Sockets.

[david.elsbury]

Sadly I think it depends on the supplier- hence I prefer the term “fan-in” (multiple plugs to a soco female) or “fan-out” (the reverse!

I feel like there’s a story behind this question to be told here!

:)

Edited June 13, 2019 by david.elsbury

[ojc123]

Initially, I thought I'd expect 15A plugs but a quick Google suggests that some are applying the male bit to the soca so I'd get 15A sockets. There's an ambiguity there and it's probably no help.

[alistermorton]

I'd expect sockets - I'd expect the male part to mean the multi-pin plug.

[J Pearce]

It's ambiguous. I'd use fan-in / tail-in, plug spider / socket spider, or plugs to soca / soca to sockets.

 

Got a story to tell?

[Hardlucktim]

Thanks for all the replies. Yes I always use Fan In/Out when specking but this morning was just checking a well known SW London LX Provider's Pick List for a job next Friday, and get this on Page 7 and wonder what will turn up on site. Guess I will call them !

 

Socapex - 15A Male Spider 2 pcs

 

Socapex - 16A Female Spider 2 pcs

[ocfe]

 

Socapex - 15A Male Spider 2 pcs

 

Socapex - 16A Female Spider 2 pcs

 

You could read that as:

Socapex (connector) to 15amp male spider

Socapex (connector) to 16amp female spider.

[Hardlucktim]

Yes just checked and that is exactly what they will supply - there Male/Female terminology applies to the 15 or 16 amp connectors not the Soca. Better safe than sorry. Thanks all.

[IRW]

To be fair to the supplier, I would be more specific when placing an order. However, I would also expect a decent account handler to query an ambiguity of that type.

[indyld]

A plug spider is generally considered to be a spider with plug legs. :-)

[timmeh2]

Hi

The terms 'Fan In' and 'Fan Out' can be just as ambigious and have frequently seen it where they've been supplied with the wrong ends. I've even had soca jumpers wired up the backwards leading to the bemusing but downright lethal hecta-widowmaker / killer spider / black widow (choose your analogy)

 

Especially on foreign jobs, it's important to identify your needs properly, so I always specify the genders at both ends, even go so far as to tell them which end should have the pins on.

 

All the best,Timmeh

Edited June 14, 2019 by timmeh2