2 singles or a double

[Lucien Nunes]

Getting back to the original point. It is bad practice to design an installation in which any component is operated above its rating. If we know that a particular double socket outlet is rated for 20A total shared between the two outlets, and we install it for the specific purpose of two appliances that we know are likely to total more than 20A for a duration in the same order as the thermal time constant of the socket parts, then that has to be bad design. In practice it is so unlikely to cause a problem, that we can probably discount it. And if we didn't know the total load, we wouldn't have asked the question in the first place.

Being pragmatic, with typical workmanship these days the fewer points the better, as the connections to the circuit cables are likely to be a weaker link than the copper busbars inside the accessories.

 

[Dave OCD]

Bet Lap don't do that test.

I happen to know their standard test - 2 x 40w table lamps are run for 47 seconds, if nothing melts it's a pass.

 

[Baddegg]

I happen to know their standard test - 2 x 40w table lamps are run for 47 seconds, if nothing melts it's a pass.

Think you missed the decimal point there Dave....4.7 seconds ,I believe 47 to be a bit vigorous for lap!

 

[snipersmith87]

I had same situation recently where customer wanted power for washer and dryer. She stated she used them regularly at same time. I put in dedicated 32amp circuit feeding dual pattress with 2 x 1g sockets for the exact reason of 20amp rating on a 2g socket. Always better to side with caution.

 

[Rpa07]

. . . . and you cannot, if intending to, allow separate DP isolation with a double outlet but you can with a dual pattress and switched or unswitched single outlets.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

. . . . and you cannot, if intending to, allow separate DP isolation with a double outlet but you can with a dual pattress and switched or unswitched single outlets.

My understanding, is that the British Standard requires DP switching.

 

[Risteard]

My understanding, is that the British Standard requires DP switching.

The British Standard for what requires double pole switching for what?

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Socket-outlets.

 

[Risteard]

Socket-outlets.

Single pole switched socket outlets are readily available, so I would kindly suggest that your statement simply isn't true.

 

[Rpa07]

Probably more single pole switching than double pole on socket outlets. You have to determine to get DP when choosing because either is available.
@spinlondon I was referring to above counter 20a DP isolation with 2 feeds to a dual pattress in order to isolate separately which cannot be done with one feed to a double outlet.