That could well be the case, although another factor is probably the fact that the emergence of 13A plugs/sockets (complete with doubles) more-or-less coincided with the start of the explosion of the number of things people had to plug into sockets. My grandparents' electrical installation initALLY fed half a dozen light bulbs and a couple of radios, eventually supplemented by an iron and a B&W telly! Indeed, I seem to recall that the 'power' circuits in those days were usually protected by a 15A fuse, thereby somewhat limiting the usefulness of multiple socket outlets!
I think there is some confusion here. It appears that everyone has to test their double sockets to 20A total load, since that is what BS1363 requires. However, that obviously does not prevent some of them (e.g. MK) testing their (perhaps superior) products to 26A.
I was under the impression that they were tinned copper, but I may be wrong.
What else?
... and, of course, many of them were mounted on turned wooden pattresses, the live parts at the back being in perilous proximity to the wood ... and those porcelain light switches often had a screw-on (or screw off, if one was a child!) brass fronts, and brass dollies.
Most of the brass fitting and round-pin plugs dated back 70 years. By 50 years ago new installations looked pretty modern. I have mixed feelings about the loss of concentric earth protection (from earthed steel conduit) without RCDs, which happened with the advent of T+E cabling some 60 years ago.
The process is that virtually all electrical standards are written at an international level by IEC Working Groups, then adopted in Europe as ENs, which have to be published in all CENELEC member countries as technicall-identical national implementations. Unfortunately this process hasn't worked for wiring rules, which are subject to national law in a number of European countries and hence can't be standardised, or socket-otlets, where the existing installed base would make it impractical to harmonise them across Europe.
No, it tells manufacturers what to achieve, and how to verify that achievement. What I meant was that many years ago a standard would (and some still do) specify materials, dimensions, etc. for each part of a product. BS 1363 doesn't do that (other than the dimensions necessary to ensure interchangeability), it specifies some performance issues such as maximum heat rise, breaking capacity, and so on.
Wrong, most standards specify, as they always have, minimum performance requirements. There is nothing to stop manufacturers making a 'better' product by exceeding those requirements, provided they meet the tests of the standard.
If you look on the Europa web site you will find that that myth was debunked some years ago.
That's obviously true to some extent, although I think there is/was a fair risk thatsome people, particularly small children, would use fingers of both hands when 'playing' with something. The increase of appliances with earthed metalwork (mainly in kitchens/utility rooms) clearly increased risks considerably, but I'm a bit doubtful whether central heating pipework will have had much impact; although obvioulsy a theoretical risk, the chances of coming in contact simultaneously with electricity and CH pipes/radiators must be very low.
I agree totally, and I'm certainly not alone. It's also worth remembering that some of the 'nanny state' stuff actually can increase some risks, not the least by engendering complacency and/or preventing people 'learning lessons from mistakes' (which are usually non-serious/lethal, but go a long way to prevent subsequent dangerous behaviour).
If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.
Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.
Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local
