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Grid switch ratings enquiry

Had an interesting chat with a tech dept this afternoon after coming across some grid switches in a domestic kitchen.

Four grid switches (sharing a common backbox) are each fed via their own 16A cb's, and each feeds 1G sockets (for a cooker hood, fridge freezer, etc). Ignoring the cable sizes (the focus being on the grid switches), given the 13A plug fuses limits the loads in each cct, would you have the current rating of the grid switches equal to or higher than the 16A cb's (e.g. 20A), or lower (but equal to or higher than the socket rating e.g. 13A/14A)?

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0 Chris Pearson over 5 years ago
gkenyon:

Chris Pearson:

Glad not to be alone on this one, but equally well they have not specified 2 x 13 A.

I maintain that a twin socket is rated at 14 A + 6 A. That is not necessarily the same as, for example, 10 A + 10 A. It may be more or less onerous.

The standard does not say that. It says:

The double socket-outlet is stress tested with 14 A + 6 A loads connected.

The manufacturer marks the rating on the accessory

In the case of a double socket-outlet, the rating is clearly marked (on the rear) with, usually, 13 A these days.

So what do we mean by the word, "rating" which is in the subject heading?

If MK states that it's twin sockets may supply a combined current of 19.5 A continuously, why are they not rated at 19.5 A? If such ratings were applied, purchasers might choose to buy the sockets with a higher rating so competition might drive up the quality.

If a multiple socket-outlet may safely supply only 13 A, why are they not required to have a 13 A BS 1362 fuse in them?

The 1984 version of the standard is the same as the current one as regards labelling. Unfortunately, the original 1947 standard is not downloadable from the BS site.

I am tempted to put a clamp meter on the circuit when both washing machine and tumble drier are running.
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0 Chris Pearson over 5 years ago
gkenyon:

Chris Pearson:

Glad not to be alone on this one, but equally well they have not specified 2 x 13 A.

I maintain that a twin socket is rated at 14 A + 6 A. That is not necessarily the same as, for example, 10 A + 10 A. It may be more or less onerous.

The standard does not say that. It says:

The double socket-outlet is stress tested with 14 A + 6 A loads connected.

The manufacturer marks the rating on the accessory

In the case of a double socket-outlet, the rating is clearly marked (on the rear) with, usually, 13 A these days.

So what do we mean by the word, "rating" which is in the subject heading?

If MK states that it's twin sockets may supply a combined current of 19.5 A continuously, why are they not rated at 19.5 A? If such ratings were applied, purchasers might choose to buy the sockets with a higher rating so competition might drive up the quality.

If a multiple socket-outlet may safely supply only 13 A, why are they not required to have a 13 A BS 1362 fuse in them?

The 1984 version of the standard is the same as the current one as regards labelling. Unfortunately, the original 1947 standard is not downloadable from the BS site.

I am tempted to put a clamp meter on the circuit when both washing machine and tumble drier are running.
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Grid switch ratings enquiry

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