Non-UK & Non-EU Socket Outlets used in the UK

Question

Hi All, This is my first post so excuse me if I do something wrong. I've been asked to make some special plates for a hotel that contain multinational sockets. I have always presumed using EU sockets was acceptable under the harmonized standard but the standard specifically says 
 511. NOTE 2: The use of foreign national standards not based on an IEC Standard, and/or not compatible with the safety provisions of BS 7671, is not recommended. 
 The job I've been asked for is to add Type I AS 3112 (Australian) & a Type N SANS 164 (South African) mains socket along with other connections and switches. Although the items carry approval of their native country, can they be used or is the entire safety obligation on the specifier and installer? On the flip side of this question, can I do a similar job in France where they want small BS516 round pin plugs?

AJJewsbury · Accepted Answer

I have always presumed using EU sockets was acceptable under the harmonized standard 
 
 I'm not convinced about that - BS 7671 isn't entirely harmonized (not the wiring regs of EU states) - nor BS 1363. 
 That said, I suspect the N type is the original "international" plug & socket - to IEC 60906-1 - so might tick the box on that score. 
 Mostly the objection to non-BS 1363 sockets is the lack of shutters, and for certain ones being able to fit an earthed plug into an unearthed socket. Polarity shouldn't be an issue for any modern appliance. 
 I was going to suggest that the AUS/NZ ones are likely to follow the US approach of making the socket holes too thin to allow most household items in (classic being knitting needles) rather than needing shutters, but a quick search suggests that shuttered versions of AS/NZS 3112 sockets are readily available, so again most of the boxes look like they could be ticked. 
 - Andy.

gkenyon · Answer

Peter69 said: I have always presumed using EU sockets was acceptable under the harmonized standard but the standard specifically says 
 That can't be true. Regulation 553.1.201 requires socket-outlets 'for household and similar use' to be shuttered. The issue of 'household and similar use' actually covers usage not just in homes, but by 'ordinary persons' under conditions of external influence that may be found in 'household and similar' situations - such as offices, hotel rooms etc. etc. But ultimately, "general purpose, non-industrial, socket-outlets" in the UK need to be shuttered. 
 
 There's also the issue of the Plugs and Sockets (Safety) Regulations.

gkenyon · Answer

Peter69 said: 553.1.201 uses the word SHOULD. In my world that isn't a must. 
 553.1.201 says ' shall be of the shuttered type'. It's the BS 1363 that is a preference. The point I'm making is that, whilst the Regulation wouldn't preclude usage of socket-outlets to other standards, they would have to be a shuttered type. The point about the Plugs and Socket (Safety) Regulations is that there are limitations on what can be supplied under certain circumstances for domestic and similar use. 
 In terminology of BSI (and CENELEC and IEC) standards, this indicates a requirement, necessary for conformity to the standard. 'Must' is never used in BSI, CENELEC and IEC (and ISO) standards. 
 553.1.201 Every socket-outlet for household and similar use shall be of the shuttered type and, for an AC installation, shall preferably be of a type complying with BS 1363. NOTE : USB charging ports, coaxial outlets, data outlets, HDMI and other AV outlets are not regarded as socket-outlets for the purposes of this regulation.

gkenyon · Answer

AJJewsbury Isn't the socket-outlet covered by Regulations 4(1), 5 and 10(1), i.e. standard socket-outlets 'ordinarily intended for domestic use' (as it's put in the legislation) should be to one of the standards in Schedule 2 (items 1 to 3 for socket-outlets of course)?

BS 7671 requires all products to be "standard" - yes, you can choose a national standard from elsewhere in the EU, offering equivalent safety (and shuttered), but in saying it's a "standard socket-outlet" aren't you then really saying you ought to choose a standard from Schedule 2?

That, of course, is a debate for legal professionals ... I'm just cautioning the legislation may potentially apply in addition to (and potentially take precedence over) the requirements of BS 7671 (if Reg Group 511 is invoked for conformity if the preference in 533.1.201 for BS 1363 socket-outlets is not taken up).

Non-UK & Non-EU Socket Outlets used in the UK

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