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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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Parents

  • It must be that every BS1363 socket can safely supply 13 A indefinitely because that is what users are entitled to expect of them.




    Er, well the ones marked "EV" are supposed to be able to - which does rather beg the question of the others...

     




    It is not expressly stated, but if a twin socket-outlet may safely supply 14 A + 6 A for at least 4 hours with a stable temperature, it may be inferred that it is safe to do so.



    But equally it can be inferred that a continuous 13A+13A load (total 26A) isn't expected if they're only testing to 20A - and then for a limited time.


      - Andy.
Reply

  • It must be that every BS1363 socket can safely supply 13 A indefinitely because that is what users are entitled to expect of them.




    Er, well the ones marked "EV" are supposed to be able to - which does rather beg the question of the others...

     




    It is not expressly stated, but if a twin socket-outlet may safely supply 14 A + 6 A for at least 4 hours with a stable temperature, it may be inferred that it is safe to do so.



    But equally it can be inferred that a continuous 13A+13A load (total 26A) isn't expected if they're only testing to 20A - and then for a limited time.


      - Andy.
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