I have the same recollection.
I think it was something like "several BS4343 sockets could be supplied from a radial circuit not exceeding 20A". I'm trying to find the reg number..............
16amp blue socket wired off a socket spur
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I have the same recollection.
I think it was something like "several BS4343 sockets could be supplied from a radial circuit not exceeding 20A". I'm trying to find the reg number..............
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The regs may say that (I can't remember, and don't have them to hand), but ....
If one sticks with the belief that the purpose of a sockets circuit's OPD is to protect the fixed wiring of the circuit (and not to protect {or 'limit' current to} anything downstream of the sockets), then I don't see what there should be any restriction regarding the OPD. In other words, provided only that the circuit's cable was of a CSA which was adequately protected by the MCB, I don't see why you could not have multiple 16A sockets on a 32A, 40A (or whatever) radial.
By analogy, as far as I am aware there are no corresponding restrictions as regards hard-wired (and 'unfused') loads - for example, I think that, theoretically, say, three 3kW immersions on a single 6mm² radial protected by a 40A MCB would be compliant, wouldn't it? If so, would three 16A sockets be materially different?
Kind Regards, John
BS4343 plugs/sockets are unfused.
If your scenario were so, nothing would prevent the taking of all 40A through a single 16A plug ..............
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On Site Guide 18th edition, page 190.
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You are not supposed to connect loads greater than 16A to 16A sockets - that is the point of them.
However, surely the name '16A socket', like 13A double socket, is just that - a name - the pins are definitely larger than 1mm² conductors so could handle current considerably greater than 16A.
I get what you're saying but it doesn't quite work like that does it? Thinking about the number of 13A plugs and sockets I've replaced [and not only the cheap makes] which are also considerably more than 1mm² where they struggle to run at 13A on a regular basis, demonstrates that to me on a regular basis.
I confess I'd be far more confident running 16A plugs/sockets [and for that matter any BS546] at a considerable overcurrent than our stupid 13A rubbish but after all said and done a rating is a rating and should not be exceeded.
The main current limit is surely down to the weakest link like contact area/resistance and possibly even the ability of making a good termination with the wiring.
Thanks for the pointer, I didn't think to look there but now found it now in my 16th OSG.
Nothing at all wrong with 3x 3KW loads [or a submain to a CU] on a 40A MCB/6mm² cable.
However a 16A socket protected solely by a 40A OCD? NO. NO. NO! Far too many splitters out there.
That’s not a reg, it’s just a guide. Not a reg unless there’s a reg number next to the OSG para.
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I know!!
I was just helping the others who could recall seeing it somewhere and couldn't find it/remember where.
Reading the OSG is bad for your knowledge.
Indeed not - but "So what?". As I said, if one believes that the (40A or whatever) OPD is there only to protect teh fixed wiring (and NOT to act as a 'current limiter'), the fact that the plug/socket was unfused would be irrelevant.
Indeed, even if you did think that 'current limitation' was one of the purposes of the OPD, a B20 would allow about 29A to flow for an hour, or appreciably more than that for shorter periods - hence not all that much use for 'limiting' current to 16A!
Do you believe that it is not permissible to have one (or morew) 15A BS546 socket(s) on a circuit with an OPD ofd >15A/.16A?
Kind Regards, John
Indeed. However, I wonder whether the fact that (as so often!) the OSG does not (cannot?) cite a regulation in BS7671 which actually says that may, perhaps, "say it all"?
Kind Regards, John
Dad's garage had a C16 for the welder on the RFC - mounted on a metal box with a C16 MCB in it. Not regs compliant, but if you apply logic and electrical knowledge then you'd have to agree that it was perfectly safe (it was a short RFC, and the C16 socket would be not far of the middle of it).
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