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Default 13A Socket outlets - SP or DP?


"Kevin" wrote in message
...
I see that many suppliers now offer both SP and DP versions of switched
sockets, with DP up to 50% dearer for a given make.

What governs which version one should use?


I think we are just in a transition period.
Before long they'll all be double pole switched.


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Default 13A Socket outlets - SP or DP?

I see that many suppliers now offer both SP and DP versions of switched
sockets, with DP up to 50% dearer for a given make.

What governs which version one should use?

__

Kevin
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Default 13A Socket outlets - SP or DP?

On Sat, 14 Feb 2015 16:38:03 +0000, Kevin
wrote:
I see that many suppliers now offer both SP and DP versions of switched
sockets, with DP up to 50% dearer for a given make.

What governs which version one should use?


I'd prefer DP, as it means the appliance can't trip the RCD when the
switch is off.

With SP, an N to E short in the appliance could still cause a trip
even if the socket is switched off.
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Default 13A Socket outlets - SP or DP?

On 14/02/15 16:38, Kevin wrote:
I see that many suppliers now offer both SP and DP versions of switched
sockets, with DP up to 50% dearer for a given make.

What governs which version one should use?


Use what fits the box - unless you are putting in a new backbox, then I
prefer doubles. But it depends on your expected use.

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Default 13A Socket outlets - SP or DP?

On 14/02/15 17:13, Caecilius wrote:
On Sat, 14 Feb 2015 16:38:03 +0000, Kevin
wrote:
I see that many suppliers now offer both SP and DP versions of switched
sockets, with DP up to 50% dearer for a given make.

What governs which version one should use?


I'd prefer DP, as it means the appliance can't trip the RCD when the
switch is off.

With SP, an N to E short in the appliance could still cause a trip
even if the socket is switched off.


Oh sorry - I read that as Single Gang, Double Gang.

Makes not much difference most of the time...


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Default 13A Socket outlets - SP or DP?

On Saturday, 14 February 2015 16:38:04 UTC, Kevin wrote:
I see that many suppliers now offer both SP and DP versions of switched
sockets, with DP up to 50% dearer for a given make.
What governs which version one should use?


You can't use a switched one of any variety for supplying a boiler.

Owain



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Default 13A Socket outlets - SP or DP?

In article ,
wrote:
On Saturday, 14 February 2015 16:38:04 UTC, Kevin wrote:
I see that many suppliers now offer both SP and DP versions of switched
sockets, with DP up to 50% dearer for a given make.
What governs which version one should use?


You can't use a switched one of any variety for supplying a boiler.


I don't, having made my own decision 26 years ago. Is it now in the regs?

--
From KT24 in Surrey

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.18

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Default 13A Socket outlets - SP or DP?

On 14/02/2015 17:38, charles wrote:
In article ,
wrote:
On Saturday, 14 February 2015 16:38:04 UTC, Kevin wrote:
I see that many suppliers now offer both SP and DP versions of switched
sockets, with DP up to 50% dearer for a given make.
What governs which version one should use?


You can't use a switched one of any variety for supplying a boiler.


I don't, having made my own decision 26 years ago. Is it now in the regs?


What's the logic behind that directive ?


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Default 13A Socket outlets - SP or DP?

In article , Mark Carver
wrote:
On 14/02/2015 17:38, charles wrote:
In article ,
wrote:
On Saturday, 14 February 2015 16:38:04 UTC, Kevin wrote:
I see that many suppliers now offer both SP and DP versions of
switched sockets, with DP up to 50% dearer for a given make. What
governs which version one should use?


You can't use a switched one of any variety for supplying a boiler.


I don't, having made my own decision 26 years ago. Is it now in the
regs?


What's the logic behind that directive ?


my logic was that removing power to the system, which includes the pump,
could result in overheating of the boiler and a consequent shut down, so
that when power was restored the boiler wouldn't restart. This could, if I
wasn't at home, result in expensive call out charges.

--
From KT24 in Surrey

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.18

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Default 13A Socket outlets - SP or DP?



"harryagain" wrote in message
...

"Kevin" wrote in message
...
I see that many suppliers now offer both SP and DP versions of switched
sockets, with DP up to 50% dearer for a given make.

What governs which version one should use?


I think we are just in a transition period.
Before long they'll all be double pole switched.


Your clock is FIVE HOURS out, surely even you can fix that ?



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Default 13A Socket outlets - SP or DP?

In article , Mark Carver
writes
On 14/02/2015 17:38, charles wrote:
In article ,
wrote:
On Saturday, 14 February 2015 16:38:04 UTC, Kevin wrote:
I see that many suppliers now offer both SP and DP versions of switched
sockets, with DP up to 50% dearer for a given make.
What governs which version one should use?


You can't use a switched one of any variety for supplying a boiler.


I don't, having made my own decision 26 years ago. Is it now in the regs?


What's the logic behind that directive ?

I'd guess at safety concerns.

The heating system should be isolated for maintenance and that means
double pole isolation. Since switched sockets can be either single or
double pole switched then there is a risk that using the switch alone
could result in a incomplete isolation.

If an unswitched socket is used then there is no ambiguity, the system
is isolated by removing the plug which will always result in double pole
isolation. If a switched FCU (Fused Connection Unit) is used instead,
these are required to be double pole switched so full isolation is
achieved. It would be common to remove the fuse too if working on the
system.

I'm sure Adam will pull me up at some point if I've misread the reasons
for the rules.

--
fred
it's a ba-na-na . . . .
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Default 13A Socket outlets - SP or DP?

On 14/02/2015 18:20, charles wrote:
In article , Mark Carver
wrote:
On 14/02/2015 17:38, charles wrote:
In article ,
wrote:
On Saturday, 14 February 2015 16:38:04 UTC, Kevin wrote:
I see that many suppliers now offer both SP and DP versions of
switched sockets, with DP up to 50% dearer for a given make. What
governs which version one should use?

You can't use a switched one of any variety for supplying a boiler.

I don't, having made my own decision 26 years ago. Is it now in the
regs?


What's the logic behind that directive ?


my logic was that removing power to the system, which includes the pump,
could result in overheating of the boiler and a consequent shut down, so
that when power was restored the boiler wouldn't restart. This could, if I
wasn't at home, result in expensive call out charges.


Does you boiler carry on heating with the power removed ? It's no worse
(or better) than suffering a power cut surely ?

I can understand the need to isolate fully for maintaince etc. Mine is
fed by a DP FCU.



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Default 13A Socket outlets - SP or DP?

On 14/02/2015 18:20, charles wrote:


my logic was that removing power to the system, which includes the pump,
could result in overheating of the boiler and a consequent shut down, so
that when power was restored the boiler wouldn't restart. This could, if I
wasn't at home, result in expensive call out charges.


You'd better make sure that you never have a power cut then!
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Roger
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Default 13A Socket outlets - SP or DP?

On 14/02/15 18:20, charles wrote:
In article , Mark Carver
wrote:
On 14/02/2015 17:38, charles wrote:
In article ,
wrote:
On Saturday, 14 February 2015 16:38:04 UTC, Kevin wrote:
I see that many suppliers now offer both SP and DP versions of
switched sockets, with DP up to 50% dearer for a given make. What
governs which version one should use?

You can't use a switched one of any variety for supplying a boiler.

I don't, having made my own decision 26 years ago. Is it now in the
regs?


What's the logic behind that directive ?


my logic was that removing power to the system, which includes the pump,
could result in overheating of the boiler and a consequent shut down, so
that when power was restored the boiler wouldn't restart. This could, if I
wasn't at home, result in expensive call out charges.


How is a switch different to pulling the plug?

I've also heard the "the switch might not be DP" but I would have though
if you really wanted to isolate the system you'd pull the plug out...
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Default 13A Socket outlets - SP or DP?

On 14/02/15 18:20, charles wrote:
In article , Mark Carver
wrote:
On 14/02/2015 17:38, charles wrote:
In article ,
wrote:
On Saturday, 14 February 2015 16:38:04 UTC, Kevin wrote:
I see that many suppliers now offer both SP and DP versions of
switched sockets, with DP up to 50% dearer for a given make. What
governs which version one should use?

You can't use a switched one of any variety for supplying a boiler.

I don't, having made my own decision 26 years ago. Is it now in the
regs?


What's the logic behind that directive ?


my logic was that removing power to the system, which includes the pump,
could result in overheating of the boiler and a consequent shut down, so
that when power was restored the boiler wouldn't restart. This could, if I
wasn't at home, result in expensive call out charges.


In fact that makes no sense at all - I've seen boilers with switched
FCUs feeding them.


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Default 13A Socket outlets - SP or DP?

On 14/02/15 19:49, Mark Carver wrote:
On 14/02/2015 18:20, charles wrote:
In article , Mark Carver
wrote:
On 14/02/2015 17:38, charles wrote:
In article ,
wrote:
On Saturday, 14 February 2015 16:38:04 UTC, Kevin wrote:
I see that many suppliers now offer both SP and DP versions of
switched sockets, with DP up to 50% dearer for a given make. What
governs which version one should use?

You can't use a switched one of any variety for supplying a boiler.

I don't, having made my own decision 26 years ago. Is it now in the
regs?


What's the logic behind that directive ?


my logic was that removing power to the system, which includes the pump,
could result in overheating of the boiler and a consequent shut down, so
that when power was restored the boiler wouldn't restart. This could,
if I
wasn't at home, result in expensive call out charges.


Does you boiler carry on heating with the power removed ? It's no worse
(or better) than suffering a power cut surely ?


Well - it is undesirable but power cuts are rare. I would always turn
the boiler off at it's own control first, wait for the pump to go quiet
then cut external power.

I can understand the need to isolate fully for maintaince etc. Mine is
fed by a DP FCU.


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Default 13A Socket outlets - SP or DP?

On 14/02/15 21:00, Roger Mills wrote:
On 14/02/2015 18:20, charles wrote:


my logic was that removing power to the system, which includes the pump,
could result in overheating of the boiler and a consequent shut down, so
that when power was restored the boiler wouldn't restart. This could,
if I
wasn't at home, result in expensive call out charges.


You'd better make sure that you never have a power cut then!


If a low water content boiler, set at its maximum flow temperature, is
running balls-out when the power goes off, the over-temperature trip
might pop: but anyone who is competent to arrange an expensive call-out
could also be trained to press the tit to reset it.

__

Kevin
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Default 13A Socket outlets - SP or DP?

On Sat, 14 Feb 2015 21:29:27 +0000, Tim Watts wrote:

On 14/02/15 18:20, charles wrote:
In article , Mark Carver
wrote:
On 14/02/2015 17:38, charles wrote:
In article ,
wrote:
On Saturday, 14 February 2015 16:38:04 UTC, Kevin wrote:
I see that many suppliers now offer both SP and DP versions of
switched sockets, with DP up to 50% dearer for a given make. What
governs which version one should use?

You can't use a switched one of any variety for supplying a boiler.

I don't, having made my own decision 26 years ago. Is it now in the
regs?


What's the logic behind that directive ?


my logic was that removing power to the system, which includes the
pump, could result in overheating of the boiler and a consequent shut
down, so that when power was restored the boiler wouldn't restart. This
could, if I wasn't at home, result in expensive call out charges.


In fact that makes no sense at all - I've seen boilers with switched
FCUs feeding them.


Indeed. I have one, and I fitted it.



--
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wish to copy them they can pay me ÂĢ30a message.
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In article , Kevin
wrote:
On 14/02/15 21:00, Roger Mills wrote:
On 14/02/2015 18:20, charles wrote:


my logic was that removing power to the system, which includes the
pump, could result in overheating of the boiler and a consequent shut
down, so that when power was restored the boiler wouldn't restart.
This could, if I wasn't at home, result in expensive call out charges.


You'd better make sure that you never have a power cut then!


If a low water content boiler, set at its maximum flow temperature, is
running balls-out when the power goes off, the over-temperature trip
might pop: but anyone who is competent to arrange an expensive call-out
could also be trained to press the tit to reset it.



For my boiler you need to take the cover off - using a screwdriver - to
reset the trip. That is slightly more complex than picking up the phone.
At least its to some people.

--
From KT24 in Surrey

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.18

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Default 13A Socket outlets - SP or DP?

No idea here, I've had sp in this house since the70s and no problems with
isolation. I suppose one might say its proof against idiots, but then
someone always comes up with a better idiot.
Brian

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"Kevin" wrote in message
...
I see that many suppliers now offer both SP and DP versions of switched
sockets, with DP up to 50% dearer for a given make.

What governs which version one should use?

__

Kevin



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True, but surely this would aid in finding a fault?
Brian

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"Caecilius" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 14 Feb 2015 16:38:03 +0000, Kevin
wrote:
I see that many suppliers now offer both SP and DP versions of switched
sockets, with DP up to 50% dearer for a given make.

What governs which version one should use?


I'd prefer DP, as it means the appliance can't trip the RCD when the
switch is off.

With SP, an N to E short in the appliance could still cause a trip
even if the socket is switched off.



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On Sunday, 15 February 2015 12:13:07 UTC, Huge wrote:
You can't use a switched one of any variety for supplying a boiler.

I think you mean "may not" rather than "cannot", since my boiler's been
plugged into a switched socket for 21 years to my knowledge, and it works
just fine.


meā culpā, meā culpā, meā maximā culpā

Owain

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Default 13A Socket outlets - SP or DP?

On Sun, 15 Feb 2015 10:30:19 -0000, "Brian Gaff"
wrote:

No idea here, I've had sp in this house since the70s and no problems with
isolation. I suppose one might say its proof against idiots, but then
someone always comes up with a better idiot.


There's no such thing as a "Better Idiot". A "more inventive one",
yes but 'better'?, definitely not. :-)
--
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Default 13A Socket outlets - SP or DP?

"Kevin" wrote in message
...
I see that many suppliers now offer both SP and DP versions of switched
sockets, with DP up to 50% dearer for a given make.

What governs which version one should use?



The choice of the person buying the sockets and nothing else.

--
Adam

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On 15/02/15 17:24, ARW wrote:
"Kevin" wrote in message
...
I see that many suppliers now offer both SP and DP versions of
switched sockets, with DP up to 50% dearer for a given make.

What governs which version one should use?



The choice of the person buying the sockets and nothing else.


Thank you, gentlemen: there obviously wasn't any great subtlety of rules
or practice which had escaped me: I'll continue to buy SP sockets when
available, but stick to DP flex outlets.

__

Kevin
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On 15/02/15 18:40, Mike Barnes wrote:

FWIW I don't think I ever use a socket switch to turn something off for
any purpose, never mind maintenance where safety might be involved.

I'd wager that in this house, every switched socket is either switched
on with a plug inserted, or switched off with no plug inserted.

Perhaps that's just me. But I suspect not.


I use the switches a lot - to not leave stuff unnecessarily powered.

I'm not worried about a few 10's of watts - but my view is, he
proliferation of little PSUs these days and appliances - if they are
left powered that's a little more probability of one going bang and
starting a fire.

When I was a kid, we had perhaps 6-7 things receiving power all the time
(excepting table lamps that had their own proper switches):


TV
Video (later)
Microwave
Cooker
Boiler
Washing machine
Tumble drier

In fact the last two items had proper mechanical switches built in so
turning them off was nearly as good as unplugging.


These days:

Chargers - 5
Computers (except laptops) - 3
Network gear - 4
Phone bases - 2
TV - 1
Media player - 1
Cooking appliances with electronics and soft switches - 4

Just turning off those 5 chargers and appliances halves the probability
of bad things happening.

But it's nice to not have to actually unplug stuff and have chargers and
cables lying around.
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In article ,
Mike Barnes wrote:
FWIW I don't think I ever use a socket switch to turn something off for
any purpose, never mind maintenance where safety might be involved.


I'd wager that in this house, every switched socket is either switched
on with a plug inserted, or switched off with no plug inserted.


Perhaps that's just me. But I suspect not.


You sound like my father. The TV had to be switched off on the set first,
then the socket, and finally unplugged. Yet he built crystal sets when
younger and radio was new.

OCD hadn't been invented then.

--
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Dave Plowman London SW
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Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Mike Barnes wrote:
FWIW I don't think I ever use a socket switch to turn something off for
any purpose, never mind maintenance where safety might be involved.


I'd wager that in this house, every switched socket is either switched
on with a plug inserted, or switched off with no plug inserted.


Perhaps that's just me. But I suspect not.


You sound like my father.


I'm not your father. At least I don't think so.

The TV had to be switched off on the set first,
then the socket, and finally unplugged.


Are you focussing on the fact that all three had to be done, or that
they had to be done in that particular order?

FWIW our telly is plugged in to a switched-on socket all the time, but
switched OFF at the set most of the time.

--
Mike Barnes
Cheshire, England


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In article ,
Mike Barnes wrote:
Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Mike Barnes wrote:
FWIW I don't think I ever use a socket switch to turn something off for
any purpose, never mind maintenance where safety might be involved.


I'd wager that in this house, every switched socket is either switched
on with a plug inserted, or switched off with no plug inserted.


Perhaps that's just me. But I suspect not.


You sound like my father.


I'm not your father. At least I don't think so.


The TV had to be switched off on the set first,
then the socket, and finally unplugged.


Are you focussing on the fact that all three had to be done, or that
they had to be done in that particular order?


FWIW our telly is plugged in to a switched-on socket all the time, but
switched OFF at the set most of the time.


I had some friends who asked me to help because their video recorder
wouldn't record. They turned it off every night at the wall, so it never
remememeber the clock time. They didn't like my suggestion that it be left
switched on 24/7.

--
From KT24 in Surrey

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.18

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charles wrote:
In article ,
Mike Barnes wrote:
FWIW our telly is plugged in to a switched-on socket all the time, but
switched OFF at the set most of the time.


I had some friends who asked me to help because their video recorder
wouldn't record. They turned it off every night at the wall, so it never
remememeber the clock time.


I'm not at all familiar with the world of video recorders but it doesn't
seem beyond the wit of man to design one that could keep time when
switched off.

--
Mike Barnes
Cheshire, England
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In article , you say...

Are you focussing on the fact that all three had to be done, or that
they had to be done in that particular order?

There is, in fact, a very sound reason for switching the TV set off first.

Many sets used the 'off' switch action to force the brightness to maximum,
thus discharging the EHT reservoir rapidly before the scan collapsed
completely.

Failing to use the set's own switch resulted in the dreaded switch-off spot
which would ultimately cause a phosphor burn.

Normally I would not be in favour of going to all the trouble of switching
off the socket and unplugging the set but I recall one occasion when it might
have saved a set from destruction.

Following a thunderstorm in which the aerial was struck by lightning, two
blackened holes had been drilled through the paxolin panel holding the aerial
isolation components (a shorter distance than through the components
themselves!), the mains switch contacts had been welded together and the
lightning had jumped from the 13A plug to the socket on the wall - over two
feet away, according to the customer!

On the same night, about 2 miles away, another set was left plugged into the
mains. In this case, no trace of the aerial was ever found(!) the tuner unit
in the TV was completely incinerated inside, the mains switch contacts were
welded and the fuses in the consumer unit blown!

Fortunately the set was only a couple of years old and a replacement tuner
was still available. In the case of the other set, it was too old for a
replacement and would have had to be written off if it had sustained the same
damage ...

The first set was a Bush TV53 and the second a Bush TV98, if anybody wants to
attempt to date this!

--

Terry
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