I'm not sure whether that is a 'yes' or a 'no'! Can you clarify whether or not you're suggesting that more heat would be generated with, say, 6.5A being drawn through each output of a double socket as compared with 13A being drawn from a single socket?
Ah, yes, W=I²R could well be the explanation. IF most of the heat generation in a double socket arises at places where the total load current (of both outlets) is flowing, then that will clearly lead to considerably more total heat generation than if the same total current were divided between two separate single sockets (each with same 'internal resistance' as the double one).
And BS 546 outlets.
They obviously have to be, if they are going to be compliant with BS1363.
That seems to be the case (and certainly is for some), but there would be nothing stopping a manufacturer designing for a 26A loading if they wished to.
It's not just a question of your belief - MK explicitly state that their sockets can withstand a load of 19.5A indefinitely. Exactly what 'rated to 13A' means is still unclear to me.
That's not a correct statement. I know of a brand that is happy at 26A, but the manufacturer does not wish to publicise that fact, to avoid having to guarantee it.
Yes, what I should have written was "We all know that most, or all, double sockets...". I personally have not yet come across any which claim that they can, and (like most people) have certainly seen double sockets which have apparently suffered from large (sub 26A) loads.
As I'm always saying, I totally agree - and think that the situation we have is pretty ridiculous (aka potentially dangerous). I feel sure that the vast majority of consumers automatically assume that a double socket is designed to be able to safely supply a 2 x 13A load. I guess it's partially the fault of BS1363. If the Standard at least required the temperature rise test to be satisfied with 2 x 13A loading, that would move things in the right direction - even though that would not, in itself, guarantee that 26A continuous was OK. Mind you, the IET may then have to reconsider their allowing a 2.5mm² unfused spur to supply a double socket.
It might be simpler to require the manufacturer to state the maximum combined continuous current rating in their catalogues/datasheets/whatever. That would sort the men from the boys pretty quickly!
Indeed so - which is how my comments in this threaded started; most manufacturers are vague/ ambiguous/ silent about the actual 'rating' of their double sockets. However, my recent point still remains, that I don't think they should be 'allowed' to sell sockets which cannot safely cope with 26A continuously. Compliance with any version of BS1363 would probably never be able to ensure the 'continuously' bit, but it would be a good start if BS1363 compliance at least required that the product had passed a temperature rise test (over whatever prescribed time period) at 2 x 13A.
I really don't think the situation with MK sockets is as clear/straightforward as you suggest. If you look at the spec of MK Logic Plus sockets, it says:
This surely implies that they mean 2 x 13A for a double socket? Otherwise, the "except for..." would be redundant, since "13 amp in total" would be true for all sockets, not just 3 gang ones.
I realise that, but the wording surely implies that the total rating a double socket is something other than "13A total" - even though we know that MK have said that a little over 22A can be damaging.
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