Are consumer 13A sockets double-pole switched ?

[AndyPRK]

I think that the argument for having switched sockets (whether SP or DP) in general is a pretty weak one.

Kind Regards, John

What's the argument for having switches ?

 

[JM2]

Okay John, but we've not all got new sockets bought from TLC.
Well no, not okay really. The early replies suggested I was having a laugh, then quips about requirements.

So I think we are at the same point as when I started the thread.

For my interest (I reckon I do know the answer):-
As an example, my own house is c.24 years old and has what I think is Ashley manufactured range of original fitments. Taking a pure guess, do you think the socket will be SP or DP ? (and no, I'm not about to take any off to check with my neon screwdriver!)

 

[AndyPRK]

Taking a pure guess, do you think the socket will be SP or DP ? (and no, I'm not about to take any off to check with my neon screwdriver!)

There are easier ways.

Turn the power off if you want.

Goto a double socket.
Turn both switches off.

Set meter to continuity, put a probe is one sockets N and other probe in the other N.

If you get continuity, its SP

 

[AndyPRK]

A fair few sockets on sale today, which are SP.
And those are the ones people have bother to advertise as SP !

Some respected brands in there too



http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_o...ngle+pole,sp)+-extension+-unswitched&_sacat=0

I think that answers part of your question. They are clearly not all DP, even if new.

 

[JohnW2]

Okay John, but we've not all got new sockets bought from TLC. So I think we are at the same point as when I started the thread.

To be fair, your original question was not totally clear - i.e. whether you were talking about sockets which can be bought and installed now, or those which are already in-service (and may have been for many years), or even if you were asking about regulatory requirements. As I recently wrote, they are very different questions. You have been told that there is no 'requirement' for DP switches in sockets, even today - indeed, in general, there is no compulsion to use sockets with switches at all. Also, as I said, there was undoubtedly a point at some time in the past when all switched sockets had SP switches, and that there has been a gradually change since then.

For my interest (I reckon I do know the answer):- As an example, my own house is c.24 years old and has what I think is Ashley manufactured range of original fitments. Taking a pure guess, do you think the socket will be SP or DP ?

It obviously has to be a guess but, per the above, I suspect that the majority of switches in sockets installed 24 years ago were probably SP - which I imagine is probably what you suspect.

Kind Regards, John

 

[AndyPRK]

whether you were talking about sockets which can be bought and installed now, or those which are already in-service (and may have been for many years), or even if you were asking about regulatory requirements. As I recently wrote, they are very different questions.

They all have the same answer though !

1) A Socket which can be bought now can be either
2) In-service sockets could be either.
3) No requirement for DP so can have either, old or new

 

[JohnW2]

They all have the same answer though !
1) A Socket which can be bought now can be either
2) In-service sockets could be either.
3) No requirement for DP so can have either, old or new

As has been discussed, that's all true - so the short answer to the OP’s original question (“Kind of thought they were single pole (L) but now informed all uk sockets inc. domestic are DP switched. Curiosity value only. Are they ?”) is ‘No’ - but I don’t think anyone in this discussion has actually said otherwise (although westie got close - which is what resulted in most of what followed!).

Kind Regards, John

 

[Clitheroe]

Quote /It obviously has to be a guess but, per the above, I suspect that the majority of switches in sockets installed 24 years ago were probably SP - which I imagine is probably what you suspect.Quote/


Regarding this, however, My grandmothers house had DP switched sockets (made by MEM) installed when rewired-in 1984.

I found out this when changing a damaged socket plate, it had 'DOUBLE POLE' engraved on the back, and to be honest I was a bit surprised at this.

Regards

 

[JohnW2]

It obviously has to be a guess but, per the above, I suspect that the majority of switches in sockets installed 24 years ago were probably SP - which I imagine is probably what you suspect.

Regarding this, however, My grandmothers house had DP switched sockets (made by MEM) installed when rewired-in 1984. ... I found out this when changing a damaged socket plate, it had 'DOUBLE POLE' engraved on the back, and to be honest I was a bit surprised at this.

Interesting. That rather surprises me, too. I may again be wrong, but I doubt you'd have to go much further back in time than that to a day when DP switched sockets were almost (or completely) unknown.

Kind Regards, John

 

[delmel]

Sockets are available in both DP and Sp switches.

Good manufacturers offer both, some wholesalers will keep both

Cheap crap and unbranded are generally single pole as they are cheaper to produce by pence, but branded are generally the way to go for price difference.

Greedy wholesale may sell cheap at expensive price so beware

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I wouldn't regard it as a silly comment since I think that the argument for having switched sockets (whether SP or DP) in general is a pretty weak one.

It's only a weak one if you never want to remove the supply from something without having to unplug it.

Personally I quite like being able to do that, for example with my toaster, hand-held mixer, any number of chargers and wall-warts for items not used all the time, and so on.

 

[JohnW2]

I wouldn't regard it as a silly comment since I think that the argument for having switched sockets (whether SP or DP) in general is a pretty weak one.

It's only a weak one if you never want to remove the supply from something without having to unplug it. Personally I quite like being able to do that, for example with my toaster, hand-held mixer, any number of chargers and wall-warts for items not used all the time, and so on.

I essentially agree with all that - so I didn't really mean exactly what I wrote . I suppose that (in relation to the "in general") I was really think of 'safety-related' arguments rather than ones of convenience. In terms of the context in which the question arose (isolation), I do feel that the argument for switched sockets is weak; indeed if I wanted/needed to isolate something which was 'plugged in', I would not 'trust my life or home' to even a DP switch - I would pull the plug out!

Kind Regards, John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I suppose that (in relation to the "in general") I was really think of 'safety-related' arguments rather than ones of convenience.

Ah - OK.

I would not 'trust my life or home' to even a DP switch

Or even your fingers when changing/fitting the blade on a hand-held blender....