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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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    Further to my previous post re a Kia “Granny Lead”.

    The moulded on 13A 3-pin plug does have a fuse.

    The depth of the plug, ie between the mounting face and the front face is 27 mm, whereas a MK Safety Plug has a depth of 24 mm. Not a lot in it, but the main difference is the size of the rather chunky moulded cable strain relief.

    Regarding current draw, the Portable Charging Cable. (ICCB: In Cable Control Box) as described by Kia.  The user can select the charging current thus:

    1. Check  the  outlet’s  current  rating before  connecting  the  plug  to  the outlet.
    2. Connect  the  power  plug  to  the household electrical outlet.
    3. Check the status of the control box display.
    4. Adjust  the  charging  current  by pressing the button (1) on the back of  the  control  box  for  more  than 1 second. (Refer to the examples of charging  cable  type  and  charging current setting.)
    5. Each time the button (1) is pressed, the  control  box  display  is  sequentially changed to 12A, 10A and 8A.

    There is a table showing currents against Socket (Outlet) capacity:

    For Outlet current  14 - 16A  ICCB Charge Level 12A

    For Outlet current  13 - 12A  ICCB Charge Level 10A

    For Outlet current  11 - 10A  ICCB Charge Level 8A

    So for a UK 13A outlet, you should set to 10A , but would appear that if you are in Europe where they use Shucko sockets rated at 16A you can set to charge at 12A and similarly for 10A sockets you can select to charge at 8A. 

    I have only used my Granny Lead on one occasion and I selected to charge at 10A. Whether there is an inbuilt charge limit set to correspond to the style of plug fitted, I do not know. With a 13A UK socket it is very tempting to charge at 12A.

    Clive

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  • 0

    Further to my previous post re a Kia “Granny Lead”.

    The moulded on 13A 3-pin plug does have a fuse.

    The depth of the plug, ie between the mounting face and the front face is 27 mm, whereas a MK Safety Plug has a depth of 24 mm. Not a lot in it, but the main difference is the size of the rather chunky moulded cable strain relief.

    Regarding current draw, the Portable Charging Cable. (ICCB: In Cable Control Box) as described by Kia.  The user can select the charging current thus:

    1. Check  the  outlet’s  current  rating before  connecting  the  plug  to  the outlet.
    2. Connect  the  power  plug  to  the household electrical outlet.
    3. Check the status of the control box display.
    4. Adjust  the  charging  current  by pressing the button (1) on the back of  the  control  box  for  more  than 1 second. (Refer to the examples of charging  cable  type  and  charging current setting.)
    5. Each time the button (1) is pressed, the  control  box  display  is  sequentially changed to 12A, 10A and 8A.

    There is a table showing currents against Socket (Outlet) capacity:

    For Outlet current  14 - 16A  ICCB Charge Level 12A

    For Outlet current  13 - 12A  ICCB Charge Level 10A

    For Outlet current  11 - 10A  ICCB Charge Level 8A

    So for a UK 13A outlet, you should set to 10A , but would appear that if you are in Europe where they use Shucko sockets rated at 16A you can set to charge at 12A and similarly for 10A sockets you can select to charge at 8A. 

    I have only used my Granny Lead on one occasion and I selected to charge at 10A. Whether there is an inbuilt charge limit set to correspond to the style of plug fitted, I do not know. With a 13A UK socket it is very tempting to charge at 12A.

    Clive

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