Why can't you add a triple socket as a spur?

[CAWORK]

Evening Everyone

Why is it the case with the above, as it says in several do it yourself books?

With triple sockets having a built in 13 amp fuse I would have thought this would limit the current drawn long before a 2.5mm spur would get get overloaded?

Thanks

 

[Taylortwocities]

I havent read what you have read but I suspect that the book will be talking about three sockets without a protecting fuse. Not the three socket fused strips.

The reason is that a single piece of 2.5mm can carry 27amps maximum (I'm going from memory here) so two 13A sockets is on the limit. A third socket (at max load conditions) could take the total to nearly 40A = meltdown.

 

[CAWORK]

Thanks.

But I have just looked again and as for adding sockets it says:

"A spur can feed either one single or double socket. You cannot add a triple socket as a spur"

But yet it mentions "triple sockets have an integral 13 amp fuse to protect from overloading".

Just doesn't seem to make much sense really?

Thanks

 

[Spark123]

Nothing wrong with a fused tripple socket, is it no worse than plugging a 4 gang extension lead into a single socket.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Thanks.

But I have just looked again and as for adding sockets it says:

So what is this learned "it" that you are quoting from?

 

[dingbat]

I teach the regulations day-in, day-out.

I also read practically every technical book that appears on the market... usually armed with a red pen, in order to be fore-armed when delegates start questions with, "Well, this book says...."

The number of errors that appear is enormous - even in books by respectable authors with a large back catalogue. There is time presuure to rush books into print, especially those dealing with new regulations, so proof-reading is rarely thorough. (Even in the case of one particular well-known author, who actually gives a generous credit to his proof reader!)

A socket plate with its own fuse is limiting the current drawn in exactly the same way as a fused connection unit and is perfectly acceptable.

(By the way, why install rings at all? You'll only confuse electricians!)

 

[Click-Sure]

Here here, down with rings.

I always extend a ring through the new socket anyway, so if someone was after a triple they'd normally end up with a couple of doubles.

Triple sockets - devil's work!

 

[Jaymack]

If there is a 13A fuse within the unit to control the maximum load, this is no different from a fused spur from a final ring circuit, where the thermal load maximum is say, controlled by a 13A fuse.

Regards

 

[CAWORK]

HI everyone, thanks for your advice.

So what is this learned "it" that you are quoting from?

It is from a "Wiring and Lighting" 'Creative Do It Yourself' series published 1994 (ward lock).

So if I needed to then would it be ok to add a triple socket as a spur? (say in a bedroom or sitting room)

Regards

 

[Spark123]

Yes, there is nothing wrong with adding a tripple socket with a fuse in it as a spur.