Silly pat test requests... lol

[ColJack]

or the guy up the pole

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-jKcbbuOGpU&feature=related

that guy's nuts... but I suppose it's his job and he knows the risks..

 

[djrichie_t]

I just love the smell it gives off when that sort of thing happens, very inonised 'fresh air' sorta smell, bit like a very close lightning strike. Its addictive too!

 

[ColJack]

it's ozone.. and is poisonous to people..

if we all got out our scalextric and model trains and ran them non stop for a few days, we could patch that hole at the north pole..

 

[securespark]

it is dangerous to rate a double socket less than 26 amps.

Why?

Surely, when the back of the double socket states "MAXIMUM LOAD 13A", it means between the two??

trust, its 13 amps per outlet. if it wasnt then the whole fascia would need a single 13 amp fuse protecting both outlets.

It's not 13A per outlet.
Otherwise the rating on the rear would say "MAXIMUM LOAD 26A".

Please search this site for similar threads. It's all been debated before.

EDIT: Here is something posted here a while ago from MK's own mouth:

Quote:
All MK socket-outlets are manufactured to comply with BS1363 part 2: 1995 and are rated at 13A per unit. Double socket-outlets have been manufactured and tested to exceed this rating by margin that allows electrical safety and reduces the risk of heat and mechanical damage to components due to overloading. It should be noted that BS1363 part 2: 1995 does not allow double sockets to operate at twice the permissable maximum loading and it should be remembered that double socket-outlets are not manufactured to be able to withstand a 26A load for sustained periods of time.

Research by ourselves and third party organisations has shown that all MK double sockets can safely withstand a continuous load of 19.5A for an indefinite period. Increasing the load slightly will begin to cause heat and mechanical stresses on the components in a relatively short period. Testing showed that a load of 22.3A was sufficient to cause heat stress that would cause a browning of the faceplates and sufficient heat to cause insulation damage to cable cores. A load of 24A for 43 hours was sufficient to cause significant heat damage to the material in which the socket-oulet was situated and within 75 hours sufficient to cause significant damage that would lead to the very real potential of fire.

MK recommend that users of their sockets consult professional design Engineers when designing installations to avoid the possibility of heat and mechanical stress to components and installations caused by overloading of MK socket-outlets.

if we all got out our scalextric and model trains and ran them non stop for a few days, we could patch that hole at the north pole.

And make a hole a similar size burning all the fuel required to run that equipment..

 

[Stoday]

if we all got out our scalextric and model trains and ran them non stop for a few days, we could patch that hole at the north pole.

And make a hole a similar size burning all the fuel required to run that equipment..

The hole in the ozone layer is made by CFCs.
Electricity generation does not create CFCs.

 

[ColJack]

I run mine off the solar panels on my roof and the wind turbine at the end of my garden.. don't you?

 

[djrichie_t]

If I was inspecting an installation, and saw that double sockets (that could not handle 13 amp per outlet) were used, then i would fail it and over-rule their specs thus declassifying its BS1363 status. And recommend that better outlets are fitted to reduce fire risk.

Reason: the average consumer will not necessarily understand not to plug two 13 amp fan heaters into one double socket where there is no overall protection for its lesser rating.

Happened before, even went to court but with a lil bit of a scientific report the case got ruled to the fact that outlets had to be changed over. Was in a house with a large family and the sparky tried to do stuff on the cheap.

 

[securespark]

If I was inspecting an installation, and saw that double sockets (that could not handle 13 amp per outlet) were used, then i would fail it and over-rule their specs thus declassifying its BS1363 status. And recommend that better outlets are fitted to reduce fire risk.

1. No multiple socket outlets I know of can take 13A per outlet, not even MK (see blue quote above)

2. How can you declassify their BS1363 status? That is utter tosh! Sockets are designed to BS1363 to carry 13A in total, regardless of how many outlets they have!

3. Recommend better socket outlets? Like MK, you mean? That still cannot carry 26A without serious risk of fire?

4. As for your court case, I find it highly improbable that an installation designed, installed & inspected & tested to BS7671 and using BS marked accessories & materials could be hauled through the courts and improvements insisted upon.

 

[ColJack]

simple solution... stop fitting double sockets..

fit dual backboxes instead and fit 2 singles.. each rated at 13A.. sorted..

 

[Pensdown]

If I was inspecting an installation, and saw that double sockets (that could not handle 13 amp per outlet) were used, then i would fail it

How do you "fail" an installation and which regs would you quote?