Path: ...!Xl.tags.giganews.com!local-1.nntp.ord.giganews.com!nntp.supernews.com!news.supernews.com.POSTED!not-for-mail
NNTP-Posting-Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2024 00:04:33 +0000
From: john larkin <jl@650pot.com>
Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design
Subject: Re: British (european?) kitchen counter electric outlets
Date: Sun, 09 Jun 2024 17:04:33 -0700
Message-ID: <7bgc6jhk2ae8lp8g3si4loehv968oorocs@4ax.com>
References: <v42ndi$2spjg$1@dont-email.me> <v45at5$3radd$1@dont-email.me>
User-Agent: ForteAgent/8.00.32.1272
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Lines: 42
X-Trace: sv3-bK7g+Gmel7fR89HuOGKfpnKJghxIuGbpCnbB+F8TJQx8qHJ0KOZV99Mob80jNFKS5LsX0G4oA49Zm6h!92o5H3p0OFo/EHNjmt1/A2JjxIqu929QhjkUMIUnBCAqRcSWQFK4VRu4d0I+36T4ISzrjx0WCL01!+uZY/w==
X-Complaints-To: www.supernews.com/docs/abuse.html
X-DMCA-Complaints-To: www.supernews.com/docs/dmca.html
X-Abuse-and-DMCA-Info: Please be sure to forward a copy of ALL headers
X-Abuse-and-DMCA-Info: Otherwise we will be unable to process your complaint properly
X-Postfilter: 1.3.40
Bytes: 3328

On Sun, 9 Jun 2024 23:38:28 +0100, TTman <kraken.sankey@gmail.com>
wrote:

>On 08/06/2024 23:53, Don Y wrote:
>> In the US, we are required (new construction) to have two dedicated 20A
>> (2400W) circuits to service countertop "small appliances".  In addition,
>> there is also a requirement for a relatively tight spacing between
>> (duplex) receptacles -- the intent to keep cords short (IIRC, < 4ft...
>> we settled on 3').
>> 
>> SWMBO was watching a britcom and commented at how few receptacles/outlets
>> were in evidence to serve the countertop.  Granted, each outlet is rated a
>> fair bit higher than US (each US outlet being 2400W -- the full load rating
>> of the branch circuit supporting it).  But, still, how do you address
>> NUMBERS of appliances in use, concurrently -- where each appliance will
>> likely draw only a fraction of the rated branch circuit's current so
>> total load isn't an issue?
>> 
>> E.g., we (presently) have a ~1KW microwave oven and a ~1KW toaster as
>> ever-present loads.  To that, it is not uncommon to add an electric
>> wok, hand or stand mixer, pizzelle iron, etc.  The abundance of
>> outlets makes it easy to add appliances as well as providing flexibility
>> over where they can be put into use.
>> 
>We mostly fit double outlet sockets 20-30 cm above worktops on the wall. 
>Each socket ( there can be several spread around the kitchen area) can 
>supply ( in theory) 30 Amps @ 230V. Back at the main fusebox, there will 
>be a 30 Amp MCB( miniature contact breaker). All the sockets are wired 
>in a 'ring main' format to prevent excessive volt drops at any outlet. A 
>kettle will have a typical power rating of 3kW so ~13 Amps draw. Other 
>main appliances - dish washer/washing machine/oven etc mostly have thier 
>own separate supplies. Ovens will be wired using 6mm 
>cable.Microwave/toaster coffe maker will be plugged itto a wall socket 
>in the kitchen. Plugs will be fitted with either 3A/5A or 13A fuses 
>depending.

Our serious heat loads (house central heat, fireplace, water heater,
cooktop, clothes dryer) are natural gas. It's simple and very
reliable. Do brits commonly use gas at home?

How much do you pay for electricity in a typical month?