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BS 1363 13A Socket Continuous Max Load

sparkiemike

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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    Well, it is oversized in depth compared to other moulded 13A fused 3-pin plugs, but whether it is more substantial electrically and better made overall cannot be determined without destroying it.  I would say that a MK 13A plug with silver plated fuse fuse clips and also terminals which don't severe the conductors in the "hole" when you tighten up the terminal, are better made than the cheaper 13A plugs that are on the market. 


    Perhaps we should be looking as to where the heat comes from?  I remember buying a printer in either Hong Kong or Singapore where the UK style 13A plug did not have provision for a fuse.  That design would certainly eliminate I²R losses in the fuse and its connections. (I will have to check whether the Kia granny has an inbuilt fuse or whether it relies on the electronics in the box near to the plug for overload protection.)

    Clive



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  • 0
    Well, it is oversized in depth compared to other moulded 13A fused 3-pin plugs, but whether it is more substantial electrically and better made overall cannot be determined without destroying it.  I would say that a MK 13A plug with silver plated fuse fuse clips and also terminals which don't severe the conductors in the "hole" when you tighten up the terminal, are better made than the cheaper 13A plugs that are on the market. 


    Perhaps we should be looking as to where the heat comes from?  I remember buying a printer in either Hong Kong or Singapore where the UK style 13A plug did not have provision for a fuse.  That design would certainly eliminate I²R losses in the fuse and its connections. (I will have to check whether the Kia granny has an inbuilt fuse or whether it relies on the electronics in the box near to the plug for overload protection.)

    Clive



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