Question about 5amp sockets

[ToughMudder]

Firstly, I nothing about electrics so sorry if this is a thick question.

Moved into a new house which has loads of 5amp round pin plug sockets for operating lamps from the main light switch. The lights are all on a Lutron system.

If I want to plug two lights into a 5amp socket (for two bedside lamps) can I just swap the plug on a normal two-plug extension cable for a 5amp plug and use it in the 5amp socket?

 

[Andy™]

yes but you will still be limited to 5a at that socket, and best not plug the kettle in either...

 

[steptoe]

I'd be tempted to use a different type of extension socket/plugs in the lights,

It may be very tempting to try and use something else with that lead, OK, it will trip the MCB, but not ideal,

BTW, are they 5A or 3A sockets,?

 

[ToughMudder]

They are 5A.  

If I use something else then it won't be operable using the Lutron system.

 

[Lurch]

If I want to plug two lights into a 5amp socket (for two bedside lamps) can I just swap the plug on a normal two-plug extension cable for a 5amp plug and use it in the 5amp socket?

Yes.

 

[Geoff1946]

Let's give a bit of explanation.

Your 5amp sockets are on a lighting circuit, which is connected to your distribution board with relatively small gauge wire, probably 1mm.   This means that only a small current can be passed through it; quite adequate for lighting. The circuit will have a 6amp circuit breaker in the board, protecting it from exceeding the current it can manage. The reason for using the 5amp style sockets is to ensure that more demanding loads, which will have a 13amp plug cannot be connected to it and so overload it.

If you choose to connect an extension lead with 13amp outlets on it, you open up the possibility of large loads being connected.  Probably the only harm of this would be the circuit breaker tripping, putting you in darkness, but it's not a good idea, and just possible that damage could be caused to the house wiring.

I recommend that you stick to 5amp plugs and sockets.  

 

[Lurch]

Let's give a bit of explanation.

Your 5amp sockets are on a lighting circuit, which is connected to your distribution board with relatively small gauge wire, probably 1mm.   This means that only a small current can be passed through it; quite adequate for lighting. The circuit will have a 6amp circuit breaker in the board, protecting it from exceeding the current it can manage. The reason for using the 5amp style sockets is to ensure that more demanding loads, which will have a 13amp plug cannot be connected to it and so overload it.

If you choose to connect an extension lead with 13amp outlets on it, you open up the possibility of large loads being connected.  Probably the only harm of this would be the circuit breaker tripping, putting you in darkness, but it's not a good idea, and just possible that damage could be caused to the house wiring.

I recommend that you stick to 5amp plugs and sockets.  

If OP knows this then there is no issue. It is unlikely that someone will be under the bed and will accidentally plug a kettle in. You are completely over-thinking this. Yes the 5A sockets on the wall are for differentiating from sockets on circuits that are designed to take the full 13A, but if someone wants to plug 2 lamps in behind the bed then I don't see an issue.

 

[Geoff1946]

OK, I take your point about the specific application in the bedroom being very low risk as long as the user understands the limitations.   That's why I wanted to try to explain.

The reasons for my excessive caution was that he said there are "loads of" 5amp outlets. Without proper understanding I fear that a successful experiment with the bed lights could lead to less appropriate uses elsewhere.  

 

[Rob_the_rich]

A customer of mine has a lutron system fitted in the bedroom. The lights can be programmed at the wall, and using an RC hand unit, to come on in banks and at different light levels.

Having anything other than lights plugged in, eg phone charger, might be dodgy if dimmed.