13A BS1363 socket-outlets on a 40A MCB

[andrew8902]

Hi. I found a radial power circuit on an EICR yesterday wired in 6mm2 flat twin PVC cable and have some concerns. I know that the MCB is designed to protect the cable but what about the terminals of the sockets? 13A socket-outlets are rated to 20A max and I am not sure they are designed to have 2 x 6mm2 conductors in the terminals? I thought they were designed for 3 x 2.5mm2?
Someone could plug lots of appliances into the last socket on the circuit and overload the terminals, but the MCB would not disconnect. Should I code this?
Thanks

 

[westward10]

MK technical permit 2×6.0 stranded conductors and 3×4.0 stranded. What is the reference method for the cable.

 

[andrew8902]

MK technical permit 2×6.0 stranded conductors and 3×4.0 stranded. What is the reference method for the cable.

really? ok well that is ok then. But what about the circuit current exceeding 20A on the terminals?

 

[pc1966]

The 20A limit (I think) you mention is for the load on a double socket, not the through-current on the terminals.

The basic principle behind 13A plugs and sockets is they have the protective fuse, so it does not matter (within reason) what the supply is, so long as the supply cable is protected. After all cooker switch/outlets often have up to 45A MCB feeds.

 

[snowhead]

It's unlikely that any current from other sockets is passing through the socket terminal, it's passing through conductors which are touching each other and touching the terminal as well.

 

[littlespark]

Someone could plug lots of appliances into the last socket on the circuit and overload the terminals, but the MCB would not disconnect. Should I code this?
Thanks

Would be limited by 13A fuse in plug, or 26 between two, as any other wiring method.

Not worth a code, but maybe a note.

 

[Deleted account]

Unconventional, but nothing wrong regs wise.

 

[westward10]

Depends on the reference method for the cable.