socket pole nightmare

[Paul_C]

In the sticks where they only distribute two of the 11,000volt phases, only 1 LV phase or a 'split' phase can be produced, a split phase very often gets confused for 2 phases, as it has 1 neutral, and two 'phases'.

Measure the volts between the 'phases' on a split phase supply, and you get 460-480 volt!!

Out here in rural Norfolk there are numerous short 2-wire 11kV spur lines, and many of these have xfmrs feeding 3-wire 1-ph 240/480V distribution systems. They're very common in small settlements where there are a dozen or more houses strung out along a back lane, but not enough to have warranted a full 3-ph spur. I don't doubt some of the old farms with 3-wire service may still have old 480V 1-ph motors in use as well.

It seems clear from your reaction that D/P is the better to use and that single pole must just be a cheapo equivilant and not the norm to choose.

Double-pole switched sockets have only become widely available in comparatively recent years anyway. All older outlets were only SP switches.

To put this in perspective, keep in mind that the U.K. is one of the few countries to even have any switches built-in to sockets (others being Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and some other British-influenced places). Most everywhere else uses unswitched sockets.

But even so, it's very unlikely to be dangerous, unless you've reversed the polarity, or you've got a TN-C-S supply with a broken neutral somewhere in the supply network.

And if you're on PME (TN-C-S) with a broken neutral, I'd be far more concerned about all the bonded metalwork being at 240V than the shuttered, insulated socket contacts.