Double GPO - 10Amp + 15Amp

[Lance]

Interesting.........a 10amp & 15amp GPO on one wall plate.
I was under the impression 15amp GPOs had to be on a dedicated circuit, is that correct ?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Double-10Amp ... SwlndZJkWd

[BruceS]

Oldtrack123 will know!!!

[T1 Terry]

What on earth would anyone want something like that? As far as wiring goes, yes, it would need to be wired with a circuit suitable for supplying the 15 amp power point so it would sufficient to supply the 10 amp point as well. If the supply cable is big enough there can be multiple 15 amp power outlets on the one circuit so there is no real reason it couldn't be legally wired, I just don't understand why anyone would want it. After al, you can plug a 10 amp plug into a 15 amp socket, you just can't do it the other way around so why not use a double 15 amp socket?

T1 Terry

[Lance]

If you flick through the pics on that link it shows only one input connection.
.....so, if it is wired from a 15amp circuit, as Terry asks, why would you need the 10amp outlet ?

Something not kosher here.......
But I bet he sells a few to caravan owners who will argue 'black and blue' that it's OK to use for the van 'cos it will accept a big earth pin............

[T1 Terry]

If you flick through the pics on that link it shows only one input connection.
.....so, if it is wired from a 15amp circuit, as Terry asks, why would you need the 10amp outlet ?

Something not kosher here.......
But I bet he sells a few to caravan owners who will argue 'black and blue' that it's OK to use for the van 'cos it will accept a big earth pin............

The problems start when you ask a sparky to fit it in place of the double 10 amp power point in the garage/laundry, so most will take on the job themselves cause they know what they is doin'....... Not much different to using a cheater lead I guess but maybe they think they will be safer if they fit one of these things. I remember seeing a 50 amp RCD on a power point circuit, the owner said he needed to upgrade from the 16 amp unit cause the compressor and welder kept tripping.....15 amps from a circuit with a 16 amp RCD protecting it doesn't leave much spare for anything else to be plugged in and running at the same time eh

[Jatz]

10 amp wired up so a 15 amp plug can be used?

[T1 Terry]

10 amp wired up so a 15 amp plug can be used?

We will have OldTrack here any minute, just as soon as he gets off the floor, let's see you get a cheater lead Tag & Tested

[BruceS]

You're right of course Terry!!
I look at it from a different perspective other than if it's allowed or if it's legal.
A car is built to go at 180km/hr but it's only legal to go to 110km/hr in SA on roads specified as 110km/hr ones.
A hydraulic circuit might be built to stand 500PSI but is regulated to operate at 300PSI max.
A 15A plug CAN carry 15A but a 15A extension lead can be used to power a laptop charger needing only 75w.
Just because it's a 15A socket or plug doesn't mean it's carrying that much.
When Dot recently booked into a caravan park & had her 2 A/C's turned on do you think there was more than 15A on her one 15A connection? You betchyu!!!
Every houseboat in the marina has only one 15A connection to the pedestal. I bet many draw more than 15A on a hot day!!
Back to that double GPO............ it definitely would require heavy wires feeding it!

[T1 Terry]

The electric cars charging from home use round pin plugs because the constant 15 amp load causes the contact area between the flat blade plug and socket to oxidise and that causes heat build up... until the whole lot melts and fails. It's not unusual to see a burnt power point socket in a caravan park and it's generally the result of someone running a lot more than 15 amps yet the circuit breaker doesn't trip. If it all worked properly that could never happen, the RCD is 16 amp rated and should trip on the overload saving the socket and plug from melting, but unless the RCD is tested mthly it will be stuck on or even welded closed because the contacts arced when trying to open.
Of course, the 16 amp RCD in the van should trip on the over load anyway, but no one ever tests to see it still works do they Do you remember the photo gallery on the CF that CabCar put up with all the burnt wiring through walls?

[supersparky]

It is a little bit scary to think about that. I would suggest that anyone/ everyone that stays in a CP should carry a RCD tester. They are small and cheap and can test the polarity and the milliamp trip value of the CP supply pedastal. I will post a pic of one when I find the link.