Is there an electrical reason as to why I can't buy a 4 gang wall socket in the UK??

Question

PLEASE READ ALL THIS INFO BEFORE ANSWERING THE QUESTION!!!

I'm designing the wiring for my new house and with all the electrical appliances in the office (computer etc) is there not a 4 gang plug socket on the market instead of having to install two 2 gang sockets next to eachother?!? If not why not!

Or am i just not looking hard enough?!?

For the record - I have searched for various 4 gang sockets and have found a thing called a 1 or 2 gang converter to a 4 gang socket but this is useless... a) It sticks out of the wall by 25mm!! b) That means it'll look stupid! and c) It's not the correct solution to my problem!

Someone mentioned to me a system using smaller slimline plugs... has anyone seen or heard of this?

Thanks for these answers... and also for the record... the plans for Cat5 and Sat cables are done already but thanks for suggesting it!!

(I'm a techno junkie...) :o)

Hmm... also I thought I'd throw this in as well... If any electrician is wanting work in the North Norfolk area of the UK then they welcome to send me an email and maybe eventually "quote me happy" as it were! This house is literally going to be "wired" (for sound, lights, data and video!) I'm very excited :o)

Thanks for the answer jayktee96...

I've found the MK catalogue about 30mins ago and have very geekily fallen in love with it's modular systems!! Now sorting out plans and specs!

Answer 1

There is a 3 gang socket available, made by MK, list No K2737. Also a 4 gang unit with extra space for 4 Euro modules which you could use for your Cat 5 and Coax/F connectors/ telephone jacks ?? MK No. K14200 available in all finishes. Cat page 84.

Answer 2

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There are a number of different questions here. You should not try to draw more than 13 amps from a single wall socket, 20 amps from a ganged pair of wall sockets or 30 amps from the circuit as a whole. The fuses in the plugs give some protection but a 13 amp fuse tends not to blow until you're drawing about 25 amps. You need to work out approximately how many amps each appliance uses. Divide the power in watts by the voltage, so a computer with a 400 watt power supply at 240 volts draws 1.667 amps. You can safely use a 4 way or 6 way socket on a trailing lead provided the total going coming from a single wall socket is not more than 13 amps (3,120 watts). However if you have two multiway sockets on trailing leads going into a double wall socket, the total between the two should not exceed 20 amps (4,800 watts). If your flat has only one circuit for power sockets (only one circuit breaker or fuse) your total use should not exceed 30 amps (7,200 watts). Mind you, if you are using more than that, your flat is probably uncomfortably hot. 2 way and 3 way adaptors that plug directly into a 13 amp socket are not a good idea. The weight of the adaptor and all the plugs is supported by a phosphor bronze clip inside the socket that's simply not designed for the job.

Answer 3

4 Gang Socket

Answer 4

there is no 4 gang socket on the market. only option is 2 x 2gang. there is a twin double back box (recessed) available which enables the 2 sockets to be square and level when installed.
2 x 2gang is better anyway as the 3 and 4 gang converta sockets are limited to 13 amps max.
i have long dreamed of a 4 gang socket!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 5

It may not be safe to run too many appliances from one wall socket, For example if you used an unfused three way adapter in ONE socket and then plugged in three heavy load appliances into that it could overheat, eventually smoulder/burn. But, "at the moment" you are not doing that. You have said you have four appliances running from four wall sockets. Assuming the ring main (maybe spurs) that you are connecting to has been wired correctly, according to relevant regulations, then what you are doing is ok.

Answer 6

Can I purchase anywhere in the UK, a 2 gang, 13A, multifunctional wall socket with USB charger outlet?

Answer 7

My husband is an electrician and this is his answer....I think it may be a manufacturing process driven reason, as opposed to an electrical reason, as every manufacturer would have to make a full range of products that currently don't exist for the front plate. There are industrial/board room options available, but they probably run to hundreds of pounds each. Also a word of advice...run twin Cat 5e and a CT100 satelitte grade Coax to each living area... cannot be done afterwards and future proofs your home for audio visual, network and multimedia communications for the future.

Answer 8

There are now at least two items on the market which might interest you:-
Socket converter which goes over a 1 or 1 gang wall mount back box:-
http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/displayProduct.jsp?sku=PL13135&CMP=CPC-PLA&gross_price=true&gclid=CNm-kfTp1b0CFaQfwwodkWcA2g

And MK now produce a monster plate - MK 4 Gang Combination Plate - MK K2740WHI; MK Logic 4 Gang Double Pole Combination Plate with TV/FM/DAB/SAT x2 Quad. TV, BT and 4 x Euro Aperture
http://www.mkelectric.com/en-gb/Products/WD/logicplus/Combinationplate/Pages/K2740WHI.aspx
Available here:-
http://www.socketworld.co.uk/mk-4-gang-combination-plate-1157-p.asp?gclid=CMCFgJzj1b0CFSUUwwodlbIAkw

Answer 9

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Answer 10

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RE:
Is there an electrical reason as to why I can't buy a 4 gang wall socket in the UK??
PLEASE READ ALL THIS INFO BEFORE ANSWERING THE QUESTION!!!

I'm designing the wiring for my new house and with all the electrical appliances in the office (computer etc) is there not a 4 gang plug socket on the market instead of having to install two 2 gang sockets next to eachother?!? If not...