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BS 1363 13A Socket Continuous Max Load

Let me start by saying this is NOT about the maximum load of a double socket outlet, that has been done before!

At a recent Elex “seminar” Darren Staniforth from Scolmore made a comment that BS1363 socket outlets were only tested for 8A continuous load. This was news to me because my 1995 version of BS1363-2 says for the Temperature rise test the connected load will be 14A for a minimum continuous period of 4hours or longer until stability is reached and max duration of 8hours.

If I recall the comments at Elex correctly, he then went on to say the latest version of BS1363 made provision for socket outlets to have a continuous load of 13A to cater for equipment like EV chargers ("granny cable") and these “plug and play” 13A hot tubs that seem so popular now. Also that some manufacturers (maybe Scolmore?) were now making socket outlets to accommodate these large loads of long continuous periods.

So my question is, does anybody know what BS 1363-2:2016+A1:2018 says about continuous loads that is different from before? And if there is a change which manufacturers are making socket outlets to the latest standard?

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0 broadgage over 3 years ago

There seems to be a fairly general acceptance these days that 13 amp plugs and sockets are not in fact suitable for a 13 amp load, other than briefly.
This is reflected in the ratings of domestic appliances on general sale. Most are restricted to about 8 or 10 amps.
3 kw space heaters are now hard to find, most are 2.2 kw or less. Tumble dryers are typically 2.4 kw at the most rather than the full 3 kw of older types.
This is said to be a policy by the makers to avoid warranty claims regarding melted plugs and damaged sockets.
The main exception is electric kettles, these are fine at a full 13 amps in practice due to the short term use. Some washing machines are also a full 13 amps, but only short term whilst heating the water, which takes only a few minutes due to the reduced water content of modern machines.
Screwfix direct used to sell and probably still sell a 3 kw fan heater, “for industrial use” and supplied without a ready fitted plug. I would think twice about use of such an appliance from a 13 amp socket. Preferring either a 15 amp round pin type or a 16 amp ceeform outlet.
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0 broadgage over 3 years ago

There seems to be a fairly general acceptance these days that 13 amp plugs and sockets are not in fact suitable for a 13 amp load, other than briefly.
This is reflected in the ratings of domestic appliances on general sale. Most are restricted to about 8 or 10 amps.
3 kw space heaters are now hard to find, most are 2.2 kw or less. Tumble dryers are typically 2.4 kw at the most rather than the full 3 kw of older types.
This is said to be a policy by the makers to avoid warranty claims regarding melted plugs and damaged sockets.
The main exception is electric kettles, these are fine at a full 13 amps in practice due to the short term use. Some washing machines are also a full 13 amps, but only short term whilst heating the water, which takes only a few minutes due to the reduced water content of modern machines.
Screwfix direct used to sell and probably still sell a 3 kw fan heater, “for industrial use” and supplied without a ready fitted plug. I would think twice about use of such an appliance from a 13 amp socket. Preferring either a 15 amp round pin type or a 16 amp ceeform outlet.
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BS 1363 13A Socket Continuous Max Load

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