Hang on, that's picking at a single thing from a three-part reasoning.

Apologies - not having access to BS EN 60320 I can't see the context of its definitions, so I'm having difficulty commenting on that bit. While I can see that the usual female IEC connector on the load end of a flex would certainly be a coupler (or "connector" in BS 7671 definition terms), I still can't see how the panel mount version (connected to "fixed" wiring and intended to accept a C14 plug on the supply end of the flex) would fit the same BS 7671 definitions. Looking at it the the way around, trailing 13A sockets come under BS 1363 - the standard for socket outlets, but surely in BS 7671 terms they're couplers/connectors, rather than socket outlets, when connected on the end of a flex rather than fixed wiring.


I do see your point about BS EN 60320 items not being listed as being acceptable socket types - but again that of itself doesn't say to me it's not a socket. If I stuck a schuko socket on a wall, I think the usual conclusion would be that it was a departure from BS 7671 (which may or may not be justifiable under 133) rather than it needed to be given the name of a different kind of accessory. If push came to shove I might try and squeeze the use of 60320 "outlets" in under the last bit of 553.1.5 (iii) - 'necessary to distinguish the function of the circuit' (as it's function is to supply equipment that's supplied with IEC-IEC leads).


So far we seem to be saying that, in the picture of the PDU above, that the right hand four "outlets" are sockets as far as BS 7671 is concerned, and so require 30mA RCD protection (unless a risk assessment concludes otherwise), but the eight "outlets" on the left, are deemed not to be socket outlets, so have no such requirements - even though they're likely to be used in exactly the same way. That's a conclusion I'm not entirely comfortable with.


It also get really complicated with what are probably some common arrangements...


13A Socket -> Plug -> Flex -> Appliance - OK (30mA RCD protection required at or before socket)

FCU -> Flex -> Appliance (might be fixed or hand-held) (no RCD requirement)

FCU -> Flex -> BS 1363 outlet (as in the pendant socket mentioned before, or a autorewind reel with a trailing socket on the end of the flex) - apparently a connector rather than a socket, so no RCD requirement?

FCU -> Flex -> BS EN 60320 connector - similarly, no RCD requirement?

FCU -> BS EN 60320 panel outlet (directly hard-wired, no flex) - not permitted?


(and I suppose ditto without the FCU when supplied from a 20A or less circuit)


It's all getting murkier and murkier....


  - Andy.

Hang on, that's picking at a single thing from a three-part reasoning.

Apologies - not having access to BS EN 60320 I can't see the context of its definitions, so I'm having difficulty commenting on that bit. While I can see that the usual female IEC connector on the load end of a flex would certainly be a coupler (or "connector" in BS 7671 definition terms), I still can't see how the panel mount version (connected to "fixed" wiring and intended to accept a C14 plug on the supply end of the flex) would fit the same BS 7671 definitions. Looking at it the the way around, trailing 13A sockets come under BS 1363 - the standard for socket outlets, but surely in BS 7671 terms they're couplers/connectors, rather than socket outlets, when connected on the end of a flex rather than fixed wiring.


I do see your point about BS EN 60320 items not being listed as being acceptable socket types - but again that of itself doesn't say to me it's not a socket. If I stuck a schuko socket on a wall, I think the usual conclusion would be that it was a departure from BS 7671 (which may or may not be justifiable under 133) rather than it needed to be given the name of a different kind of accessory. If push came to shove I might try and squeeze the use of 60320 "outlets" in under the last bit of 553.1.5 (iii) - 'necessary to distinguish the function of the circuit' (as it's function is to supply equipment that's supplied with IEC-IEC leads).


So far we seem to be saying that, in the picture of the PDU above, that the right hand four "outlets" are sockets as far as BS 7671 is concerned, and so require 30mA RCD protection (unless a risk assessment concludes otherwise), but the eight "outlets" on the left, are deemed not to be socket outlets, so have no such requirements - even though they're likely to be used in exactly the same way. That's a conclusion I'm not entirely comfortable with.


It also get really complicated with what are probably some common arrangements...


13A Socket -> Plug -> Flex -> Appliance - OK (30mA RCD protection required at or before socket)

FCU -> Flex -> Appliance (might be fixed or hand-held) (no RCD requirement)

FCU -> Flex -> BS 1363 outlet (as in the pendant socket mentioned before, or a autorewind reel with a trailing socket on the end of the flex) - apparently a connector rather than a socket, so no RCD requirement?

FCU -> Flex -> BS EN 60320 connector - similarly, no RCD requirement?

FCU -> BS EN 60320 panel outlet (directly hard-wired, no flex) - not permitted?


(and I suppose ditto without the FCU when supplied from a 20A or less circuit)


It's all getting murkier and murkier....


  - Andy.