Re: A few fusing questions on UK gear here in the US
AFAIR the requirement in the UK for new equipment to be fitted with a plug arose in the mid-1970's at around the time that the UK adopted the international harmonised wiring colours (L N E = Brown, Blue, Green or Yellow/Green stripe) instead of the UK's previous Red Back and Green colours. In the 1970's there were still large numbers of installations using the older unfused 2A, 5A and 15A installations, and it was common for appliances' instruction leaflets to mention the new colour coding for the benefit of those who might need to replace the 13A plug with a different type. Even today there must be many older houses which do not use 13A plugs, and sockets and unfused plugs to the older 2A, 5A and 15A gauges are still manufactured and readily available.
I see that 1" x 1/4" fuses are available in the US from McMaster-Carr, but only as fast-acting glass fuses, the highest rating being 8A. They are said to be suitable for up to 250V and are UL rated, but might not be suitable for equipment that has a high inrush current.
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