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Grid switch ratings enquiry

Farmboy
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)?


F
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    Alasdair Anderson:




    Zoomup:

    Any switch controlling a 13 Amp socket must be able to carry at least 13 Amps. That is what the 13 Amp socket can supply. A grid switch rated at 16 or 20 Amps could be used. 

    Z.




    If the socket has a BS 1363 plug fitted with a BS 1362 fuse rated 13A then it could be supplying 20 for a significant period (>3hours). Take a look at the fuse characteristics

    .8278a6e0c6707e10a3506006120401c6-huge-bs-1362-fuse-characteristic.png


     




    No it can't supply 20 Amps for hours. These are apparently single 13 Amp sockets for individual dedicated appliances like a cooker extractor hood and fridge freezer etc., so the loads are fixed. No overloading can occur.


    Z.

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  • 0

    Alasdair Anderson:




    Zoomup:

    Any switch controlling a 13 Amp socket must be able to carry at least 13 Amps. That is what the 13 Amp socket can supply. A grid switch rated at 16 or 20 Amps could be used. 

    Z.




    If the socket has a BS 1363 plug fitted with a BS 1362 fuse rated 13A then it could be supplying 20 for a significant period (>3hours). Take a look at the fuse characteristics

    .8278a6e0c6707e10a3506006120401c6-huge-bs-1362-fuse-characteristic.png


     




    No it can't supply 20 Amps for hours. These are apparently single 13 Amp sockets for individual dedicated appliances like a cooker extractor hood and fridge freezer etc., so the loads are fixed. No overloading can occur.


    Z.

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