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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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    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.



    There's more to consider than just load current - the ambient temperature will also influence how hot a conductor will run - so too anything else that reduces heat dissipation (e.g. clothes piled up against the accessory). If it was in an airing cupboard it could well have overheated at its nominal rating, even if the same accessory would have performed perfectly in more normal circumstances.


      - Andy.
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    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.



    There's more to consider than just load current - the ambient temperature will also influence how hot a conductor will run - so too anything else that reduces heat dissipation (e.g. clothes piled up against the accessory). If it was in an airing cupboard it could well have overheated at its nominal rating, even if the same accessory would have performed perfectly in more normal circumstances.


      - Andy.
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