single or double pole socket??

GT60

Hi please can some one tell me what the difference is between the double and single pole plug sockets as i need to replace some.

One of the sockets getting replaced has One cable going to it, the other one has two cables going to it both are in the same room.
Another socket in in the hall and has several cables going to it.

Advice please thanks niall

keystone

niall24 wrote: »

Hi please can some one tell me what the difference is between the double and single pole plug sockets as i need to replace some.

A single pole switches live only a double pole switches live and neutral. The double pole switch is safer but inevitably more expensive. Some circuits require a double pole switch by regulation but for a normal ring main or radial single pole is sufficient. Is it possible you are confusing single gang (ie one switched outlet) and dual gang (two switched outlets) with the switching arrangements?

One of the sockets getting replaced has One cable going to it, the other one has two cables going to it both are in the same room.

On a radial the sockets have two cables (one in from the previous socket and one out to the next socket) with the exception of the last one in the run which only has one cable in. I think that is what you are describing and whether the switching arrangements sockets are single pole or double pole doesn't matter.

Another socket in in the hall and has several cables going to it.

This will have one in and one out as before. If there is a third cable it is likely that someone has run a spur off the back of this socket to feed another.

Cheers

ormus

virtually all houses have a ring main, not a radial circuit.
radials are very rare now.

these circuit drawings explain the difference.
http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/ring_main.htm

GT60

So just fit double pole sockets and be done with it?

KeithP

niall24 wrote: »

So just fit double pole sockets and be done with it?

Yes..........