2amp and 5amp plugs and sockets

[sparkwright]

Inspired by a comment on a very recent thread, it got me thinking about why we still have 2 AND 5amp plugs and sockets.

They appear to do the exact same job, they go on the same electrical circuit usually.

It's almost as though the 2amp ones should be retired, as the 5amp ones are obviously capable of larger loads, though this would be rarely be an issue.

It would be a problem if the 2amp ones weren't made any more for all those that already have these fittings though.

In my place, I only chose the 5amp ones because I already had some 'in stock'.

Apart from personal taste and preference, is there any advantage to 2amp rather than 5amp?

 

[JohnW2]

Apart from personal taste and preference, is there any advantage to 2amp rather than 5amp?

I personally cannot think of any particular advantage. As you say, I imagine that the main reason why both are still readily available is that some people already have sockets of one of the sizes, or equipment with plugs of one of those sizes, so that there is an ongoing market for both plugs and sockets of both sizes.

Talking more 'laterally', I have sometimes used both sizes when I have wanted to distinguish (within the same room) between two different functionalities (e.g. 2A ones controlled by one switch, 5A one controlled by a different switch) - a practice (albeit probably very uncommon) which obviously requires both sizes to be available.

Kind Regards, John

 

[sparkwright]

Never considered anyone might want to deliberately mix the two different types.

 

[JohnW2]

Never considered anyone might want to deliberately mix the two different types.

Well, I do in one of my rooms, in the manner I described, for various lights ('standard', 'table' etc)

... some of the lights are plugged into 2A sockets, all of which are controlled by one switch, and others are plugged into 5A sockets, all of which are controlled by a different (single) switch. The same could obviously be done with all 2A, or all 5A, sockets (ideally with a bit of 'labelling') - but since the two types exist, I thought I might as well use both!

Kind Regards, John

 

[333rocky333]

I have 5 amp plugs via a light switch and 2 amp plugs via a 400w dimmer, 2a ones are smaller and more discreet for table lamps

 

[JohnW2]

I have 5 amp plugs via a light switch and 2 amp plugs via a dimmer, 2a ones are smaller and more discreet for table lamps

That's very similar in concept to what I have (as just described), the only difference being that I have two switches, not a switch and a dimmer.

Kind Regards, John

 

[AndyPRK]

2A are smaller and plenty for led!

Much to ppls Hatred, now that lights come with plugs, I just go for 13A and they are cheaper

 

[JohnW2]

... 2a ones are smaller and more discreet for table lamps

2A are smaller and plenty for led!

The plugs are smaller but, as far as I can make out, virtually all 2A and 5A sockets (certainly the 'widely available' ones) come on a standard ('single') faceplate these days.

Kind Regards, John

 

[AndyPRK]

The plugs are smaller iirc

 

[securespark]

You don't really need 5A. Considering that normally only one table lamp is connected to each 2A outlet, 2A is plenty.

Edit....unless you are plugging in a 500W floodlight!

 

[JohnW2]

The plugs are smaller iirc

That's what I said!

However, although in the distant past, some small socket formats ('custom', surface mounted) were available, as I said, I think that they only come on (or designed for - in the case of 'modules') standard faceplates - hence the same size as a 13A socket.

Kind Regards, John

 

[EFLImpudence]

How small would the parts in a 2A socket have to be to really be only rated at 2A?

 

[JohnD]

probably frail enough to be damaged in everyday handling. People yank on these plugs, drop them on the floor, bang them with hoovers and brooms.

 

[JohnW2]

How small would the parts in a 2A socket have to be to really be only rated at 2A?

Indeed. I doubt that it is much to do with the current-carrying capabilities of the components of the socket - I'd be fairly surprised to find that a "2A" plug/socket could not carry 13A, perhaps more, without overheating or coming to any particular harm.

Kind Regards, John

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

Especially given that a USB Type-C connector can carry 5A!