HELLO! How to know how much you uk socket can take?

[static zap]

Attempts to extract too much ,may degrade the insulation on your RFC , probably near the kitchen ....
So Kev the kitchen fitter gets the blame !
( Don't spoil Xmas if you cook electric )

 

[Karin]

We use 230V because current is inversely-proportional to voltage

yeah? i thought it was because we wanted to be like the french..

 

[Pete999]

yeah? i thought it was because we wanted to be like the french..

No mate it was the EU that told us we had to be like the French, a big difference. We saved their backsides 70 odd years ago, and now they're telling us what to do, something wrong somewhere along the lines.

 

[Taylortwocities]

@MrC123 still waiting to learn what it is that you need to plug in.

 

[telectrix]

i seem to remember back in the 90's the IEE as was then , made the wiring regs into a "British Standard" ( 7671) so that Johnny Foreigner could not interfere. worked well, since then we've had 230V and stupid cable colours stuffed down our throats. well done the IEE.

 

[HandySparks]

While most socket-outlets are rated 20A, the plug-top fuse will be limited to a maximum of 13A (approximately 3kW).

I think you misunderstand. The 20A test current is the sum of the currents through both sides of a double socket.

 

[Pete999]

I think you misunderstand. The 20A test current is the sum of the currents through both sides of a double socket.

If you plug an extension lead into each socket on a double socket out let, the fuses in each extension lead will limit the amount of current that can be drawn.
So each lead will have a 13 Amp fuse (r should have) so 2.99 KW can be drawn from each outlet, via one extension lead, or have I missed the point?

 

[Taylortwocities]

No you haven't. But that total of 2x2.99KW exceeds the design spec as laid out in BS1363.

That's why it is important to know what our (now long unresponsive) OP is planning to plug in to the extension leads.

His view of

going to be using a fair amount

May not be so much in amperage terms, In my experience our average DIYer wrings his hands at the thought of plugging in a PC, printer, router and a 2TB disc into an extension lead, but will not even think about the implications of a washing machine + a tumble dryer in the same extension or socket.

I wait with ever increasingly bated breath - in the hope that we may learn of the application - but I fear that turkey, pudding, cheese and glasses of Portugal's finest may make me lose interest altogether.

 

[Pete999]

No you haven't. But that total of 2x2.99KW exceeds the design spec as laid out in BS1363.

That's why it is important to know what our (now long unresponsive) OP is planning to plug in to the extension leads.

His view of

May not be so much in amperage terms, In my experience our average DIYer wrings his hands at the thought of plugging in a PC, printer, router and a 2TB disc into an extension lead, but will not even think about the implications of a washing machine + a tumble dryer in the same extension or socket.

I wait with ever increasingly bated breath - in the hope that we may learn of the application - but I fear that turkey, pudding, cheese and glasses of Portugal's finest may make me lose interest altogether.

A total of 26 Amps from a double socket then?

 

[telectrix]

A total of 26 Amps from a double socket then?

as long as the socket's not MK, Lap, or chink export, should be OK for a half hour or so.

 

[Spoon]

Come on people. The OP is not coming back. He's done his one post and most prob doesn't like the sensible replies and questions, so has thrown a wobbler and done a runner..

 

[telectrix]

Come on people. The OP is not coming back. He's done his one post and most prob doesn't like the sensible replies and questions, so has thrown a wobbler and done a runner..

maybe he's tripped over his extension leads and broke his head.

 

[Pete999]

maybe he's tripped over his extension leads and broke his head.

Oh no I can't take any more, well no more than a 1363 socket anyway

 

[Spoon]

maybe he's tripped over his extension leads and broke his head.

Maybe hes just tapped into a nearby street light and solved his problem.....

 

[Taylortwocities]

Or died in the resulting house fire, that will get blamed on an electrical fault, as usual.

 

[Spoon]

Or died in the resulting house fire, that will get blamed on an electrical fault, as usual.

If all his plants have caught fire as well then at least the neighbourhood will be happy and relaxed.....

 

[Generator]

I'm surprised to see such misconceptions about fuses flying about in professional electrical circles!! Fuses are NOT overload devices - they are Overcurrent devices - they provide short circuit protection ONLY. A BS1362 'plug top' cartridge fuse will not protect the equipment connected, nor provide overload protection ( well, not below about 1.6 times the fuse rating). The rating is the safe current the fuse will carry forever. Above that things start to get warm, then hot. A 13A fuse will carry 30A for 6 minutes or so, 50A for 0.1 to 20 secs, and 100A for 10 to 20 msecs. I believe it would take 1.6X rated, ie 20.8 A indefinitely, though things would get rather hot before too long! So, either fit some proper overload device, or a good smoke detector!

 

[HandySparks]

I'm surprised to see such misconceptions about fuses flying about in professional electrical circles!! Fuses are NOT overload devices...

OK, so a BS 1362 fuse won't provide close overload protection. Do you think that domestic power strips, supplied via a 13A fused plug, should be banned?

What's your opinion on BS 3036 semi-enclosed fuses, widely used in distribution boards until recently? Do they not provide overload protection, albeit crude?

 

[UNG]

I'm surprised to see such misconceptions about fuses flying about in professional electrical circles!! Fuses are NOT overload devices - they are Overcurrent devices - they provide short circuit protection ONLY. A BS1362 'plug top' cartridge fuse will not protect the equipment connected, nor provide overload protection ( well, not below about 1.6 times the fuse rating). The rating is the safe current the fuse will carry forever. Above that things start to get warm, then hot. A 13A fuse will carry 30A for 6 minutes or so, 50A for 0.1 to 20 secs, and 100A for 10 to 20 msecs. I believe it would take 1.6X rated, ie 20.8 A indefinitely, though things would get rather hot before too long! So, either fit some proper overload device, or a good smoke detector!

I don't believe it would carry 20.8A indefinitely, from memory it would blow within 4 hours

 

[I2C]

I think you misunderstand. The 20A test current is the sum of the currents through both sides of a double socket.

I'm fully aware of this, perhaps my post was misleading/vague in it's wording? Regardless, the appliance plug-top fuse is limited to 13A and it's highly unlikely that two 13A rated appliances will be used simultaneously from the same socket-outlet.

With this said, I'm a big fan of radial-final circuits for this reason (opposed to ring-final circuits). A radial-final circuit supplying sockets will ensure protection against over-currents in this situation. However ring-final circuits will allow over-currents to exist, and will continue operation even if one of the live-conductors is open-circuit (halving the current-carrying capacity) without any indication of a fault.

Anyone else in favour of following the rest of Europe in banning ring-final circuits to improve safety?