HELLO! How to know how much you uk socket can take?

[MrC123]

pretty self explanatory, just need to know how many watts I can pull from each plug as I'm going to be using a fair amount on extension leads.

 

[Spoon]

Are you not limited by the fuse in the extension lead plug?
What are you going to be plugging in?

 

[Taylortwocities]

Well....each extension lead is limited to a maximum of 13amps, so the maximum you'll be able to physically pull would be a (nominal) limit of 26amps.

IIRC the test spec for BS1363 double sockets is that they should be able to handle a constant total load of 20amps.

I do not have a current ( ) copy of BS1363. But the 1995 version said this and i do not think that things have changed:

13A double socket rating to BS1363

BS1363-2:1995 requires for double socket outlets that both socket outlets have loads applied via test plugs, 1 test plug having a load of 14 amps whilst the other has a load of 6 amps, making a total load of 20 amps on the cable supplying the double socket outlet. The double socket outlet is then subjected to this loading for a minimum continuous period of 4 hours or longer until stability is reached with a maximum duration of 8 hours (stability being taken as less than 1 degC rise within 1 h). The test is passed if neither the terminals / terminations, nor the accessible external surface, increase in temperature by more than 52 degC.

IIRC the test spec for BS1363 double sockets is that they should be able to handle a constant total load of 20amps.

I may be able to advise more if you can say exactly are you planning to plug in to these "fair amount of extension leads". and why are so many required?

 

[Spoon]

Just a small correction @Taylortwocities. His quote is "...I'm going to be using a fair amount on extension leads"

I presume he is going to be plugging lots of things into a few extension leads... We will have to wait and see what the OP's reply is.

 

[Bobster]

For horticultural purposes?

 

[Taylortwocities]

No snow on HIS roof?

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

For horticultural purposes?

Purely medicinal purposes ..wink wink

 

[PEG]

Sounds like someone is going 3 furlongs ahead of a neighbours Christmas lights...

 

[dmxtothemax]

How many grow lights ?
Sorry how many flood lights ?

 

[Taylortwocities]

@MrC123 hi matey
How about some input??

We are trying to help you and cannot without a reply or two.

Thanks!

 

[Pete999]

pretty self explanatory, just need to know how many watts I can pull from each plug as I'm going to be using a fair amount on extension leads.

Power =Volts time Amps the max Amps would be 13 A governed by the 13 A fuse in the plug top times the voltage 240 Volts

 

[dmxtothemax]

13 a plug @ 240v = 3120w.

 

[Pete999]

13 a plug @ 240v = 3120w.

Wasn't going to do the Math going to give the OP some satisfaction, seems he has done a runner so far

 

[Taylortwocities]

13 a plug @ 240v = 3120w.

Yes, to turn that into the load that the BS1363 socket is tested to carry, the maximum load would be 4800watts.

Anyway, got a busy day today. Market in town, getting all Christmassy!

 

[Spoon]

Power =Volts time Amps the max Amps would be 13 A governed by the 13 A fuse in the plug top times the voltage 240 Volts

As I put in #post 2 mate.

 

[Spoon]

Doesn't really matter as it seems the OP has done a runner....

 

[camerabloke]

Next will be a post on how to bypass the meter

 

[Pete999]

Next will be a post on how to bypass the meter

Oh that's simple

 

[PEG]

Yes, to turn that into the load that the BS1363 socket is tested to carry, the maximum load would be 4800watts.

Anyway, got a busy day today. Market in town, getting all Christmassy!

Oxford is made for Christmas ...just have to sell a property,to afford to park...

 

[I2C]

Well....each extension lead is limited to a maximum of 13amps...

IIRC the test spec for BS1363 double sockets is that they should be able to handle a constant total load of 20amps.

Completely agree! While most socket-outlets are rated 20A, the plug-top fuse will be limited to a maximum of 13A (approximately 3kW).

13 a plug @ 240v = 3120w.

Remember that according the the ESQCR, the voltage used in calculations is 230V rather than 240V. We use 230V because current is inversely-proportional to voltage when maintaining the same power (in Watts); as the voltage decreases, the current increases proportionally. In practical terms, this means that while maintaining the same power-consumption, if the voltage is grater than 230V (which is common) the current will decrease which results in lower temperatures in the conductors (which is safer).

Therefore:
230V x 13A = 2990W

 

[static zap]

Attempts to extract too much ,may degrade the insulation on your RFC , probably near the kitchen ....
So Kev the kitchen fitter gets the blame !
( Don't spoil Xmas if you cook electric )

 

[Karin]

We use 230V because current is inversely-proportional to voltage

yeah? i thought it was because we wanted to be like the french..

 

[Pete999]

yeah? i thought it was because we wanted to be like the french..

No mate it was the EU that told us we had to be like the French, a big difference. We saved their backsides 70 odd years ago, and now they're telling us what to do, something wrong somewhere along the lines.

 

[Taylortwocities]

@MrC123 still waiting to learn what it is that you need to plug in.

 

[telectrix]

i seem to remember back in the 90's the IEE as was then , made the wiring regs into a "British Standard" ( 7671) so that Johnny Foreigner could not interfere. worked well, since then we've had 230V and stupid cable colours stuffed down our throats. well done the IEE.

 

[HandySparks]

While most socket-outlets are rated 20A, the plug-top fuse will be limited to a maximum of 13A (approximately 3kW).

I think you misunderstand. The 20A test current is the sum of the currents through both sides of a double socket.

 

[Pete999]

I think you misunderstand. The 20A test current is the sum of the currents through both sides of a double socket.

If you plug an extension lead into each socket on a double socket out let, the fuses in each extension lead will limit the amount of current that can be drawn.
So each lead will have a 13 Amp fuse (r should have) so 2.99 KW can be drawn from each outlet, via one extension lead, or have I missed the point?

 

[Taylortwocities]

No you haven't. But that total of 2x2.99KW exceeds the design spec as laid out in BS1363.

That's why it is important to know what our (now long unresponsive) OP is planning to plug in to the extension leads.

His view of

going to be using a fair amount

May not be so much in amperage terms, In my experience our average DIYer wrings his hands at the thought of plugging in a PC, printer, router and a 2TB disc into an extension lead, but will not even think about the implications of a washing machine + a tumble dryer in the same extension or socket.

I wait with ever increasingly bated breath - in the hope that we may learn of the application - but I fear that turkey, pudding, cheese and glasses of Portugal's finest may make me lose interest altogether.

 

[Pete999]

No you haven't. But that total of 2x2.99KW exceeds the design spec as laid out in BS1363.

That's why it is important to know what our (now long unresponsive) OP is planning to plug in to the extension leads.

His view of

May not be so much in amperage terms, In my experience our average DIYer wrings his hands at the thought of plugging in a PC, printer, router and a 2TB disc into an extension lead, but will not even think about the implications of a washing machine + a tumble dryer in the same extension or socket.

I wait with ever increasingly bated breath - in the hope that we may learn of the application - but I fear that turkey, pudding, cheese and glasses of Portugal's finest may make me lose interest altogether.

A total of 26 Amps from a double socket then?

 

[telectrix]

A total of 26 Amps from a double socket then?

as long as the socket's not MK, Lap, or chink export, should be OK for a half hour or so.

 

[Spoon]

Come on people. The OP is not coming back. He's done his one post and most prob doesn't like the sensible replies and questions, so has thrown a wobbler and done a runner..

 

[telectrix]

Come on people. The OP is not coming back. He's done his one post and most prob doesn't like the sensible replies and questions, so has thrown a wobbler and done a runner..

maybe he's tripped over his extension leads and broke his head.

 

[Pete999]

maybe he's tripped over his extension leads and broke his head.

Oh no I can't take any more, well no more than a 1363 socket anyway

 

[Spoon]

maybe he's tripped over his extension leads and broke his head.

Maybe hes just tapped into a nearby street light and solved his problem.....

 

[Taylortwocities]

Or died in the resulting house fire, that will get blamed on an electrical fault, as usual.

 

[Spoon]

Or died in the resulting house fire, that will get blamed on an electrical fault, as usual.

If all his plants have caught fire as well then at least the neighbourhood will be happy and relaxed.....

 

[Generator]

I'm surprised to see such misconceptions about fuses flying about in professional electrical circles!! Fuses are NOT overload devices - they are Overcurrent devices - they provide short circuit protection ONLY. A BS1362 'plug top' cartridge fuse will not protect the equipment connected, nor provide overload protection ( well, not below about 1.6 times the fuse rating). The rating is the safe current the fuse will carry forever. Above that things start to get warm, then hot. A 13A fuse will carry 30A for 6 minutes or so, 50A for 0.1 to 20 secs, and 100A for 10 to 20 msecs. I believe it would take 1.6X rated, ie 20.8 A indefinitely, though things would get rather hot before too long! So, either fit some proper overload device, or a good smoke detector!

 

[HandySparks]

I'm surprised to see such misconceptions about fuses flying about in professional electrical circles!! Fuses are NOT overload devices...

OK, so a BS 1362 fuse won't provide close overload protection. Do you think that domestic power strips, supplied via a 13A fused plug, should be banned?

What's your opinion on BS 3036 semi-enclosed fuses, widely used in distribution boards until recently? Do they not provide overload protection, albeit crude?

 

[UNG]

I'm surprised to see such misconceptions about fuses flying about in professional electrical circles!! Fuses are NOT overload devices - they are Overcurrent devices - they provide short circuit protection ONLY. A BS1362 'plug top' cartridge fuse will not protect the equipment connected, nor provide overload protection ( well, not below about 1.6 times the fuse rating). The rating is the safe current the fuse will carry forever. Above that things start to get warm, then hot. A 13A fuse will carry 30A for 6 minutes or so, 50A for 0.1 to 20 secs, and 100A for 10 to 20 msecs. I believe it would take 1.6X rated, ie 20.8 A indefinitely, though things would get rather hot before too long! So, either fit some proper overload device, or a good smoke detector!

I don't believe it would carry 20.8A indefinitely, from memory it would blow within 4 hours

 

[I2C]

I think you misunderstand. The 20A test current is the sum of the currents through both sides of a double socket.

I'm fully aware of this, perhaps my post was misleading/vague in it's wording? Regardless, the appliance plug-top fuse is limited to 13A and it's highly unlikely that two 13A rated appliances will be used simultaneously from the same socket-outlet.

With this said, I'm a big fan of radial-final circuits for this reason (opposed to ring-final circuits). A radial-final circuit supplying sockets will ensure protection against over-currents in this situation. However ring-final circuits will allow over-currents to exist, and will continue operation even if one of the live-conductors is open-circuit (halving the current-carrying capacity) without any indication of a fault.

Anyone else in favour of following the rest of Europe in banning ring-final circuits to improve safety?

 

[telectrix]

Anyone else in favour of following the rest of Europe in banning ring-final circuits to improve safety?

That's a big NO from me. We're leaving the EU, mainly due to the UK electorate being fed up with the tin-pot dictators telling us what to do (apart from grabbing millions of our hard-earned). long live the RFC, Red/Yellow/Blue, feet and inches, and English real ale.

 

[Pete999]

Anyone else in favour of following the rest of Europe in banning ring-final circuits to improve safety?

That's a big NO from me. We're leaving the EU, mainly due to the UK electorate being fed up with the tin-pot dictators telling us what to do (apart from grabbing millions of our hard-earned). long live the RFC, Red/Yellow/Blue, feet and inches, and English real ale.

What he said with bells on^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[electric al]

Unelected beuracrats meddling in every aspect of this countries affairs . Let's be honest Britain is envied and loathed in equal measure by most of Europe and the French inparticular have never forgiven us for liberating them. Take whatever powers we can back from them

 

[I2C]

Anyone else in favour of following the rest of Europe in banning ring-final circuits to improve safety?

That's a big NO from me. We're leaving the EU, mainly due to the UK electorate being fed up with the tin-pot dictators telling us what to do (apart from grabbing millions of our hard-earned). long live the RFC, Red/Yellow/Blue, feet and inches, and English real ale.

I totally agree with the leaving-EU part! I've never understood how countries which have completely different climates, cultures, and traditions; should be run in the same way. It results in a bland-uniformity without respect for the values held by individual countries citizens. (Only my opinion of course) I digress...

Regardless of political factors, ring-final circuits remain inherently dangerous because during a single-fault condition (such as an open-circuit in one of the live conductors) the circuit remains operational without symptoms, while significantly reducing the total current-carrying-capacity of the conductors - potentially leading to an over-current which will not be protected by the circuit-breaker.

With regards to the change in colours (red/yellow/blue to brown/black/grey), I'm not 100% sure but I've heard that it was harmonised throughout Europe because colour-blind people find the new colours easier to see (generally, not always of course)? If there's any colour-blind members here, I'd love to hear more.