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

Peter69

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?

  • 0 in reply to Chris Pearson

    Outside the scope of BS 7671.

    Whilst I'd agree, I'd we didn't make provision for visitors somehow, that's an issue. BUT we have something here not found in most installations globally ... the ring final circuit.

    At least requiring UK outlets on those ensures there's a suitable OCPD

  • 0 in reply to AJJewsbury

    What seems to be rather absurd is that adaptors (foreign to UK, but not the other way about) are included. They may be inserted into a BS 1363 socket whether the foreign socket part is shuttered or not.

  • 0 in reply to gkenyon

    Hi, back on the PC, the chat didn't work well on a mobile.

    I was working from my memory (always a problem) so got some of the bits wrong.

    it is the 

    shall preferably be of a type complying with BS 1363.

    term I was hoping allowed me to supply.

    So I've started to slip from the original question about Australian sockets to all other sockets.

    I've just seen you next answer popup and I always use shuttered versions of the sockets.

    As you can imagine, these will be used for things like hair driers and the like, PC Chargers etc for the overseas traveller to use.

    There will normally be a mix of sockets on one plate. I make them to the customers' requirements rather then specify. I also don't install them.

    The more I read, the more I think I need specific licence [The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1987 (legislation.gov.uk). reg 7.7]?

    I can see no other wiggle room in this regulation unless it is for a very specific use i.e shaver

  • +1 in reply to 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).

  • 0

    I see the actual regulation is quite clear no non-1363 plugs or equipment isn't put on the market

    The "The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations"? as I read it the requirement applies to appliances sold to consumers on the UK market (whether manufactured in the UK or imported) - as I read it there's nothing to stop a consumer buying something abroad and bringing it with them as a personal possession into the UK (quite reasonably - it just wouldn't work to say people couldn't bring their laptop PSU or phone charger or 101 other things with them into the UK).

    To my mind foreign plugs can't safely be inserted into UK (BS 1363) sockets - even if they can be made to physically fit, the lack of  fuse would be a safety issue. Travel adaptors might be one option, but their quality is often very dubious in practice. Far safer to have suitable compatible socket available. So I reckon 553.1.5 (iii) can be invoked,

       - Andy.

  • 0 in reply to gkenyon

    Just to note, some European socket-outlets are now available with shutters, for example VDE 0620 with 'increased contact protection' (i.e. 'shutters') - AFAIK it's an option, rather than a requirement, at the moment, but they are available.

    Still needs to be considered against Plugs and Sockets (Safety) Regulations for the particular premises, though.

  • +1 in reply to Peter69
    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.

  • 0 in reply to gkenyon

    I have always considered this meant something similar to consumer or perhaps non-qualified so it would cover hotels, airport lounges etc.

    553.1.201 uses the word SHOULD. In my world that isn't a must.

    But BS1363 does say must.

    The units I've used in the past are always shuttered version of the EU types of socket. This is the 1st time I've been asked for non-EU.

    I see the actual regulation is quite clear no non-1363 plugs or equipment isn't put on the market. I wonder if Amazon know?

    So I can't comply with 1363 but I can supply shuttered versions and safety systems could be included in the installation (mentioned in 1363).

    I lose a lot of business to other who will supply units with the multinational socket.

    So I'm hoping there is a way to supply these sockets for UK use

  • 0 in reply to AJJewsbury

    UUnfortunately, as far as I know AS3112 is not compliant with 60906 but is available shuttered.

    These 

  • 0 in reply to gkenyon
    gkenyon said:
    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.

    I take the point, but then why does it not say so?

    In households, typical sockets are just at the right height for curious toddlers to try to put things in the holes. In offices, sockets may be placed above desks (e.g. in dado rails) and one does not expect children to be running about.

    On balance, I would include hotel rooms, schools and nurseries, but not offices.

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