Power 32Amp Circuits

[fieldl]

Not exactly DIY...
A client of mine are a little short of 13Amp circuits in a datacenter and have just asked me if they can use a 32Amp circuit to power some kit.

Now this kit is a normal 13Amp plug and draws about 0.5A
So can this be done?

One on hand surely it doesn't matter just that the circuit is rated higher so can power more.....
On the other I'm not an electrician.

[_Deano]

fieldl said:

Not exactly DIY...
A client of mine are a little short of 13Amp circuits in a datacenter and have just asked me if they can use a 32Amp circuit to power some kit.

Now this kit is a normal 13Amp plug and draws about 0.5A
So can this be done?

One on hand surely it doesn't matter just that the circuit is rated higher so can power more.....
On the other I'm not an electrician.

don't the 32A have a different plug connection, compared to your average 13A plug?

[fieldl]

There is a power strip rated at 32Amp that I will be connecting too. So plug doesn't matter.
However will the device draw more power than it needs appears to be there question....

No I think.

[Dave_ST220]

No,a device will draw what it requires. Whether any trip would go in time to stop a fire is a different matter???

[Ganglandboss]

You need an adaptor with a 32A commando plug one end and a 13A socket outlet on the other. You can buy these but they are not as common as smaller 16A to 13A adaptors. The 32A adaptors usually have several 13A outlets like this one, which costs just over £100:



Does the 32A circuit terminate at a commando socket (like the female version of the plug in the photo)? If you want a more permanent solution you may be able to have it replaced with a few 13A socket outlets with little effort (known as an A2 Radial circuit).

Dave - qualified spark

[Simpo Two]

'Commando' - wild guess coming up - is that the same as Ceeform?

[Ganglandboss]

Simpo Two said:

'Commando' - wild guess coming up - is that the same as Ceeform?

Yes (or an EN 60309:1999 socket outlet as I have to call it at work)!

[john_p]

Do the datacentre know you are doing this?

[tr7v8]

As someone who designs data centres for a living I hate 13Amp BS1363 sockets with a passion. A. they are overkill for most IT hardware which pulls a couple of amps each, so need fusing at 3amps B. sooner or later some muppett plugs in a cleaner, power tool & takes the strip out & all the IT connected to it. Much better to fan the 32A circuit to lots of IEC 320 connectors & use those to power the kit. Lots of manufacturers make PDU's that are Commando connected at 32Amps.

[fieldl]

tr7v8 said:

As someone who designs data centres for a living I hate 13Amp BS1363 sockets with a passion. A. they are overkill for most IT hardware which pulls a couple of amps each, so need fusing at 3amps B. sooner or later some muppett plugs in a cleaner, power tool & takes the strip out & all the IT connected to it. Much better to fan the 32A circuit to lots of IEC 320 connectors & use those to power the kit. Lots of manufacturers make PDU's that are Commando connected at 32Amps.

Thats the plan, well if an IEC320 connector is a kettle lead in english.
Perfect thanks all

[tr7v8]

fieldl said:

tr7v8 said:

As someone who designs data centres for a living I hate 13Amp BS1363 sockets with a passion. A. they are overkill for most IT hardware which pulls a couple of amps each, so need fusing at 3amps B. sooner or later some muppett plugs in a cleaner, power tool & takes the strip out & all the IT connected to it. Much better to fan the 32A circuit to lots of IEC 320 connectors & use those to power the kit. Lots of manufacturers make PDU's that are Commando connected at 32Amps.

Thats the plan, well if an IEC320 connector is a kettle lead in english.
Perfect thanks all

Yup IEC320 C13 is standard kettle lead suitable for most kit. If you need anymore info PM me.