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Immersion Heater & 13 Amp socket.

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We were discussing the rating of 13 Amp sockets recently, both double and single types. The rating seems to be 13 Amp. as indicated on the back of the accessories. Yesterday I had to replace a 13 Amp. single socket that became faulty. It supplied a 3000 Watt water heater. Did the 13  Amp plug burn out? No. Did the socket burn out? No. But the socket switch terminals welded together and would not switch off. So I fitted a 20 Amp double pole switch instead. So, even if a 13 Amp. socket is marked 13 Amp. it may not deliver 13 Amps. reliably, perhaps the makers apply "diversity" when calculating the load current and sizing the contacts for their 13 Amp sockets.


Z.
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    From experience running a site with about 18 2.4kW elements, the only thing that doesnt burn up, melt or otherwise stop working are MK 20a DP switches. Without exaggeration, every single one has failed through overheating


    I would never have a fused spur, socket or anything other than a 20A MK DP switch anywhere near an immersion


    as a slight aside, we had a chap doing the PAT testing, who replaced a 13a fuse in a spur for some lighting with a 5a, because the load was a fraction under 5a. Following day, the spur had melted from the heat from the fuse. 


    Accessories these days are bobar...
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  • 0
    From experience running a site with about 18 2.4kW elements, the only thing that doesnt burn up, melt or otherwise stop working are MK 20a DP switches. Without exaggeration, every single one has failed through overheating


    I would never have a fused spur, socket or anything other than a 20A MK DP switch anywhere near an immersion


    as a slight aside, we had a chap doing the PAT testing, who replaced a 13a fuse in a spur for some lighting with a 5a, because the load was a fraction under 5a. Following day, the spur had melted from the heat from the fuse. 


    Accessories these days are bobar...
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