On 1 Oct 2006 05:00:10 -0700 someone who may be "Ian Atkinson"
wrote this:-

All the sockets are on a ring and they are on a 32A MCB in the consumer
unit. However, I have noticed on the packet for the cable that it says
'maximum load 27A' (the cable is made by Pirelli and is from B+Q).

Does this mean that I need to change the MCB for one of 27A or less?

No, as the sockets are on a ring there are two cables to carry the
current.

Or would that be the maximum load on a radial rather than a ring?

It is a figure the shop or manufacturer have put on the cable to
give people some sort of idea. However, the maximum load it can
safely carry depends on things like how and where it is installed,
the temperature of the surroundings and the characteristics of the
protective device. A piece of cable embedded in insulation is
allowed to carry less current than the same cable embedded in
plaster.


--
David Hansen, Edinburgh
I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54