Electrical Socket

[hairygrape]

I went to B&Q this afternoon to buy a twin switched 13a electrical socket , nothing fancy, just the plain white plastic type that seems to be in many homes.

B&Q had on sale what I wanted in their bog standard range for �2.68 and the packaging stated it was a single-pole type.

They also had an identical twin socket for sale that said it was a double-pole type. This socket was �2.88 and this was the one I chose to buy because it looked a bit more robust and the switched gave a more resounding "click" on operating.

I couldn't see any differences between the two types when I looked at the screw connections on the back of the switches.

I'd like to know if it made any real difference which type I purchased. Is the double pole type meant for a particular application?

Thanks.

[Hymie]

The double pole version disconnects both the Live and Neutral from the socket outlet, whereas the single pole version disconnects the Live only (provided that the socket is wired correctly).

One advantage of the double pole version is that if it has been wired with Live and Neutral transposed, the Live will still be switched.

I am not aware of any application requiring double pole switching on a socket outlet (sockets are available unswitched).
When working on any mains electrical item, you should always unplug it, rather than rely on a socket switch.

[hairygrape]

Thanks Hymie. All this makes me wonder why single-pole switches are sold at all if the double-pole version is electrically safer.