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Current rating of twin 13 amp sockets ?

broadgage

Is there any reliable information as to the current rating of a twin 13 amp socket.

Sounds simple enough, but views seem to differ. I was taught (decades ago) that a twin 13 amp socket manufactured to the relevant standards was suitable for a total load of 20 amps. And I recall that approval testing was done with 14 amps on one outlet and 6 amps on the other.

More recently though I recall respected members of this, and other forums, stating that the maximum total load is 13 amps and not 20 amps. And yes I know that 13 amp twin sockets  are marked “13 amps” on the back. But does this mean “maximum total load of 13 amps” or does it mean “intended to accept 13 amp plugs”

Any reliable views on this, preferably with a source.

And related to the above, I have heard that MK twin 13 amp sockets go beyond the minimum standards and are designed for a total loading of 26 amps. Can anyone confirm or deny this. And yes I have asked MK and have received several different answers !

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    Chris Pearson: 
    but IMHO there is no reason why an ‘ordinary person’ should not reasonably believe that any domestic appliance may be plugged in safely to any 13 A socket outlet.

    In fact I shall go further. There is no reason why an ‘ordinary person’ should think about the consumption of domestic appliances.

    If we think that is the case, it's a good reason to prohibit all of the following then:

    • Double BS 1363 plug-in adaptor (unfused)
    • Double (and triple) socket-outlets
    • Multiway adaptors (why should the ‘ordinary person’ have to go to the trouble of thinking about the fuse operating, and replacing them with the correct value)?
    • Ring final circuits (sticking to 16 or 20 A radials) … and then we can get away with the BS 1363 fused plug, and the wasted energy of the heat from fuses in those too 

     

    But in all seriousness, we are talking about large movable (but not really that portable) appliances, where proper provision (in terms of space, ventilation, and perhaps other semi-permanent utility connections) are made.

    Installation of these appliances is not trivial either (it might be to many on this Forum, but not to the public at large).

    So … it's not really the ‘ordinary person’ who needs to worry about that.

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  • 0

    Chris Pearson: 
    but IMHO there is no reason why an ‘ordinary person’ should not reasonably believe that any domestic appliance may be plugged in safely to any 13 A socket outlet.

    In fact I shall go further. There is no reason why an ‘ordinary person’ should think about the consumption of domestic appliances.

    If we think that is the case, it's a good reason to prohibit all of the following then:

    • Double BS 1363 plug-in adaptor (unfused)
    • Double (and triple) socket-outlets
    • Multiway adaptors (why should the ‘ordinary person’ have to go to the trouble of thinking about the fuse operating, and replacing them with the correct value)?
    • Ring final circuits (sticking to 16 or 20 A radials) … and then we can get away with the BS 1363 fused plug, and the wasted energy of the heat from fuses in those too 

     

    But in all seriousness, we are talking about large movable (but not really that portable) appliances, where proper provision (in terms of space, ventilation, and perhaps other semi-permanent utility connections) are made.

    Installation of these appliances is not trivial either (it might be to many on this Forum, but not to the public at large).

    So … it's not really the ‘ordinary person’ who needs to worry about that.

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