Double Pole/single Pole 13A Sockets

[gumboot]

I have been asked to find out if some 13a twin gang sockets I have are single pole or double pole before they are fitted by my electrician. At the moment, they are in an unmarked box and the sockets don't appear to have a catalogue number or model number printed on them. My electrician will only fit double pole sockets (don't ask me why!) and I just wondered if I could tell one type from the other from the rear of the sockets or by some other means. Could the screw terminal arrangements be different? I have a multimeter to hand somewhere if that would do the job. Thank you.

[dannyk13]

What is the difference between a single pole switched socket and a double pole switched socket?
The term refers to whether the switch just acts on the live supply in the socket (single pole), or the live and neutral (double pole).

[gumboot]

Thank you dannyk13 but I wasn't asking for the difference between the two. I realised that. What I want to know is how to tell the two types apart physically.

[gumboot]

.... Or by using a multimeter.

[dannyk13]

Why not ask your electrician how to tell them apart?

[MTbowels]

It's not possible. He's a contractor who lives over 200 miles away and I've only had a telephone conversation with him. He's not due down until next week and I see no point in paying for sockets that I might already have. Besides, if he could tell the difference between them, it can't be that hard for me.

[dannyk13]

Is there an electrical retailer nearby that could assist you?

[gumboot]

It's an idea but I've no small retailer nearby. I've a b & q some miles away but previous experience leads me to believe they'll not be very helpful.

[dannyk13]

Any other DIY shops in the area?

[Zacs-Master]

Set an account up with screwfix and have them delivered.

[dannyk13]

Don;t know if this helps,I found it on another forum.
//
echoes
Joined:27 Mar 2007
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Location:Surrey
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The rear of the socket will usually say 'Double pole' or 'DP' on its moulding if it's double pole. Single pole will not.

[gumboot]

That's interesting dannyk13. I've tried to corroborate this myself on the web to no avail. It just seems to me to be a pretty cursory way of distinguishing them and the dp could be easily missed on the moulding. I'll have a look at mine when I get home.

[Old_Geezer]

I assume that the sockets are switched, and that the dpst or dpdt relates to the switch rather than the socket. I'd not realised sockets came with the choice.

[Old_Geezer]

Stick a resistance meter across live in and live outand check what happens when you flick the switch. Then repeat the test on neutral. If both change open circuit/closed circuit that's double pole. If only live changes that must be single pole. (Obviously whilst unconnected to power.)

[Old_Geezer]

...live out and...

[gumboot]

Thank you OG. That's exactly the sort of thing I can do at home with my multimeter.