Comment Re:Silly questions ... number of items irrelevant (Score 1) 497
Most power outlets are rated lower than what the circuit breaker can provide since circuit breaker usually supplies to a bunch outlets instead of just one. most power outlets in India are rated at 6A / 16A with both circuits isolated so you have the bigger 16A outlets powering heaters ACs etc and the smaller 6A outlets powering smaller loads. Always remember not to exceed say 80% of the current rated for the outlet 6A/16A. Because the switches are design to handle only the rated current. Higher current will cause the switch contacts to generate more arcs, which then leads to oxidation on the contact surface, increasing contact resistance which in turn generates more heat and degrades in the runaway cycle. This is how most outlets fail.