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Total load capacity of twin 13 amp socket ?

broadgage
What is it ?

I understood that twin 13 amp sockets are designed for a total load of 20 amps, and that the approval test is done with 14 amps one one side and 6 amps on the other side.


However recent posts on these fora and elsewhere have stated or implied that the maximum permitted load is only 13 amps in total.


So which is it ?


I appreciate that these sockets are marked "13 amps" on the back, but feel that this MAY be a red herring. The marking MAY mean "intended for 13 amp plugs" rather than "maximum total load 13 amps"


MK brand metalclad twin 13 amp sockets USED to exceed the minimum standard and be suited for a total of 26 amps, is this still the case ?
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  • 0
    13 Amp double sockets can burn out and fail for many reasons. One reason is poor quality manufacture. A second reason is poor contact between 13 Amp plug pins and socket contacts. Another reason (but less likely these days) is a poorly installed 13 Amp plug by an amateur where the flex is not terminated properly.


    Many electrical parts that used to be made of brass or copper in wiring accessories are now made of steel which is presumably electroplated to resemble brass. An example of this is modern Henley blocks. This is good for strength where a gorilla is tightening the grub screws but what does it do for long term  electrical continuity? Perhaps modern double 13 Amp sockets are made of lower quality metals.


    Some flexes that I come across are attracted by a magnet, so are not pure copper.


    Build quality is slipping I am afraid. And just what sort of quality do you expect of a socket that costs less than £2.00?


    Z.


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  • 0
    13 Amp double sockets can burn out and fail for many reasons. One reason is poor quality manufacture. A second reason is poor contact between 13 Amp plug pins and socket contacts. Another reason (but less likely these days) is a poorly installed 13 Amp plug by an amateur where the flex is not terminated properly.


    Many electrical parts that used to be made of brass or copper in wiring accessories are now made of steel which is presumably electroplated to resemble brass. An example of this is modern Henley blocks. This is good for strength where a gorilla is tightening the grub screws but what does it do for long term  electrical continuity? Perhaps modern double 13 Amp sockets are made of lower quality metals.


    Some flexes that I come across are attracted by a magnet, so are not pure copper.


    Build quality is slipping I am afraid. And just what sort of quality do you expect of a socket that costs less than £2.00?


    Z.


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