21 brands Tested
All Cracked

Vol. 20 No.2 March-April 2000

 

• We tested 21 national and regional brands of plugs against specifications of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
  
• The brands tested were Anchor, Comet, Cub, Gourav, Harisons, Jainex, Jani, Lisha, North-west, Panama, Pointer, Pretty, Pritam, Reshma, Rider, Rocky, Skylark, Sleek, SSK, Vinay and Wimpy.
  
• None of the brands conformed to the parameters on mechanical strength and construction. Plugs should be so strong that they should not be damaged in a fall. Most of the plugs broke during the test.
  
• Gourav, Reshma, Rider, Sleek and Wimpy did not have the mandatory ISI mark.
  
• A plug should fit into the socket properly. The life of loose-fitting plugs gets reduced due to sparking, while tight-fitting plugs can damage the socket. The BIS has specified certain dimensions for this. Comet, Gourav, Harisons, Jani, Panama, Reshma, SSK and Wimpy could not conform to the parameter on dimensions.
  
• The plug, when inserted into the socket, should fit properly without the pins projecting out. Comet, SSK, Panama, Harisons, Reshma, Jani and Wimpy could not conform to the parameter on interchangeability.
  
• Since plugs are often used in the open or in washrooms, they should withstand humid conditions. North-west and Rider could not conform to the moisture resistance test. The insulation resistance recorded less than 2 mega ohms against the standard of not less than 2 mega ohms. They also could not withstand the high-voltage test.
  
• Rider and North-west could not meet the standard for insulation resistance even when they were checked in dry conditions. Both the brands had insulation resistance less than 100 mega ohms against the standard of not less than 100 mega ohms and could not withstand the high-voltage.
  
• The cord grip inside the plug should be so designed that it avoids strain on the wiring inside the plug. Rider could not conform to this parameter on cord grip.
  
• Rider is the only brand with built-in indicating lamp and fuse whereas North-west had a built-in- indicating lamp.
  
• Plugs were put to the resistance to heat test where Jani deformed and could not conform to this parameter.
  
• A wide variation was observed in the MRP and the bill price. The MRP ranged between Rs 11.00 and Rs 47.00, while the bill price ranged between Rs 7.00 and Rs 38.80.
  
• North-west was the most expensive brand at Rs 47 and Rocky the least expensive at Rs 11.
  
• Based on our test results, Rocky tops our chart as it is the least expensive and has conformed to the maximum number of parameters.

Details of the test report can be had in INSIGHT

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