February 12, 201610 yr On one of these household double sockets, is the max amps 13 amps per socket, or 13 amps shared between the two?
February 12, 201610 yr 13amp total over the two sockets, it's the rating limit on the cable feeding the sockets.
February 12, 201610 yr Author 13amp total over the two sockets, it's the rating limit on the cable feeding the sockets. Lovely, thanks for the info killjoy
February 12, 201610 yr The cable rating is normally 20 amps so limiting to one 13 amp supply, but there is also the ring main factor. Ring mains are a loop connected to the supply at each end, so there's 20 amps cable rating from each end. If the cable loop junction is in the twin socket connector which it is normally, you have both paths. Then the limit you can draw from the twin socket is the two times 13 amps if the fuse/circuit breaker rating at the junction box is adequate which it normally will be. My flat has only one ring main around it and I routinely draw up to 32 amps from it. N.B. Crossed with Trex's post. .
February 12, 201610 yr Author My flat has only one ring main around it and I routinely draw up to 32 amps from it. . Right, I've just checked the circuit breaker box, and the upstairs sockets are protected by a 32A RCD and the downstairs by a separate 32A RCD. So, I'm guessing two separate ring mains protected by a 32A RCD each. Am I right in thinking that I can safely run appliances up to around 7.5Kw on each circuit, as long as I don't exceed 13 amps on a single socket?
February 12, 201610 yr Right, I've just checked the circuit breaker box, and the upstairs sockets are protected by a 32A RCD and the downstairs by a separate 32A RCD. So, I'm guessing two separate ring mains protected by a 32A RCD each. Am I right in thinking that I can safely run appliances up to around 7.5Kw on each circuit, as long as I don't exceed 13 amps on a single socket? Yes, and you can use both sockets of a twin with 13 amps from each. .
February 12, 201610 yr How long you want them to run for will depend on when the breaker decides it's had enough, I have tripped breakers in this situation running theatre lighting at 6kw. The cable may get quite warm and resistance will go up. Exercise your breakers every so often to make sure they will trip.
February 12, 201610 yr Author Exercise your breakers every so often to make sure they will trip. I was tempted to reply with a tongue in cheek comment, but held myself back lol. Thanks for the tip
February 12, 201610 yr If you run high load appliances for a long time keep an eye on the plug. It can get hot and partially melt or become very brittle around the pins. Same applies to the socket, although neither is likely to catch light and burn your house down.
February 27, 201610 yr On one of these household double sockets, is the max amps 13 amps per socket, or 13 amps shared between the two? [ATTACH=full]13224[/ATTACH] 2.5mm T+E is the likely cable used to make your ring main or radial. The ring could run up to 27amps with said cable but a radial less so (i'm not sure how much less so..!). The 13amp double sockets are not fused and therefore the full current rated by the related breaker in your consumer unit is available at those sockets. The fuses in the 13amp plugs are the only point where an excess of 13amp current can be stopped up until when the 32amp breaker kicks in.
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