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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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    Sparkingchip: 
     

    Both our washing machine and dishwasher draw 10 amps, those are the only appliances we have that draw more than 8 amps and they both do it for a limited time.

    Electric vehicle granny lead chargers are limited to 10 amps, 3kW plug in domestic appliances are virtually non-existence, so maybe 13 amp sockets not being able to carry 13 amps for several hours isn’t actually a problem.

    I disagree. The defacto limit of 8 to 10 amps on a so called 13 amp plug and socket limits the design of appliances.

    A washing machine or dishwasher with a full 13 amp loading, would heat the water more quickly and thereby give a shorter cycle time, an attractive feature for some consumers.

    A tumble dryer with a full 13 amp input would dry the laundry in a shorter time, again an attractive feature.

    A true 3 kw portable heater would be most useful for warming large areas.

    And all of the above USED to be available and used back in the good old days, when 13 amp plugs and sockets could carry 13 amps.

    And how long before pedantic inspectors start “failing” installations with loads of over 10 amps connected to 13 amp plugs ?

    And how many PAT testing monkeys are going to start “failing” appliances that use more than 10 amps, this year, or 8 amps in a few years time.

    And for how long will these reductions in the capacity of so called 13 amp plugs continue ? Down to 5 amps by 2030 perhaps.

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  • 0

    Sparkingchip: 
     

    Both our washing machine and dishwasher draw 10 amps, those are the only appliances we have that draw more than 8 amps and they both do it for a limited time.

    Electric vehicle granny lead chargers are limited to 10 amps, 3kW plug in domestic appliances are virtually non-existence, so maybe 13 amp sockets not being able to carry 13 amps for several hours isn’t actually a problem.

    I disagree. The defacto limit of 8 to 10 amps on a so called 13 amp plug and socket limits the design of appliances.

    A washing machine or dishwasher with a full 13 amp loading, would heat the water more quickly and thereby give a shorter cycle time, an attractive feature for some consumers.

    A tumble dryer with a full 13 amp input would dry the laundry in a shorter time, again an attractive feature.

    A true 3 kw portable heater would be most useful for warming large areas.

    And all of the above USED to be available and used back in the good old days, when 13 amp plugs and sockets could carry 13 amps.

    And how long before pedantic inspectors start “failing” installations with loads of over 10 amps connected to 13 amp plugs ?

    And how many PAT testing monkeys are going to start “failing” appliances that use more than 10 amps, this year, or 8 amps in a few years time.

    And for how long will these reductions in the capacity of so called 13 amp plugs continue ? Down to 5 amps by 2030 perhaps.

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