The 827 I presume ?

https://www.bgelectrical.uk/wiring-devices/moulded/round-pin-export-socket-outlets

Not as liberal as some designs,  and shuttered. Looks not too bad at first glance.  Should always be behind a 16A or smaller breaker or fuse.

The 827 I presume ?

https://www.bgelectrical.uk/wiring-devices/moulded/round-pin-export-socket-outlets

Not as liberal as some designs,  and shuttered. Looks not too bad at first glance.  Should always be behind a 16A or smaller breaker or fuse.

BS1363-2 6.1 the rated current of all socket-outlets shall be 13A

Not that is a major issue but surely that prevents it being to BS1363?

Also how does it work with US stuff?

The  kit with a  US  plug has to be universal voltage, or it goes bang. Luckily most laptops, phone chargers, shavers and so on are nowadays.

In the past when I have fitted trick sockets I have also fitted a local fused spur style isolator, and nowadays it would be an RCD one, in a twin box along side.

and labelled it very carefully as   ! Caution 230V !

Note that this model does not actually cover the most likely visitor, the European where a 'schucko'

would perhaps be more useful, and would actually earth properly. In these BG ones they fit and energise but do not connect to the earth - not a great situation.

Mike

mapj1 said:

The 827 I presume ?

Says 'export only' on the link posted.

Possibly because, as discussed in another recent thread, the UK Plugs and Sockets (Safety) Regulations have prohibitions on the supply of socket-outlets for domestic and similar use in the UK.

Peter69 said:

I've been asked to make units and install a panel with universal mains sockets.

Is the panel for use in the UK? Other countries might permit the use of such outlets.

Might be worth taking some legal advice w.r.t. Plugs and Sockets (Safety) Regulations and this particular piece of work?

Yes, this is another customer wanting a different solution.
I'm trying to supply but sales want to supply it.
This will be used in Malta but I'm sure they use our wiring standards.
Also not sure how BG can sell it though they do list it as export only even if they sell it to the UK?!

There is no problem to make, buy or sell, any connectors  to another business or organization for commercial or industrial use, just not for domestic use check the legislation itself. (just as well really or you could not use the blue caravan site sockets or the yellow ones on building sites)

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1994/1768/made

Malta has our wiring regs, at least on paper, but nothing quite like our plug and socket regulations. When I was lasat out there I saw a lot of stuff on sale with the thin Europlugs and a free plastic shutter lifter - probably OK on a 16A radial, less so on a ring..
The UK law is intended to force shops and market stalls to sell things like table lamps with a compliant13A plug on it,  when selling to to ordinary folk - the other interpretations are more of an unfortunate side effect of the wording. I'm not sure it was ever intended to catch  foreign style sockets for visiting equipment.
Mike

mapj1 said:

just not for domestic use

I think it's 'ordinarily intended for domestic use' which has a slightly different connotation - for example, perhaps including general-purpose use in offices, hotel rooms, etc?

I wouldn't like to go down the road of discussing the power supply a test laptop or similar being used in the outlet of a control panel, for example, because such devices are typically "domestic and similar" use ... but then again,  whilst I could use a ruggedised laptop for any purpose, is the primary purpose not for rough use in specific places of work - or other situations not similar to domestic use?

And therein lies the rub, as it were. The advice from the HSE are only slightly more clear..
https://www.hse.gov.uk/foi/internalops/ocs/400-499/oc489_6.htm

8 For the purposes of these Regulations an appliance ordinarily intended for domestic use is taken to mean one that is intended for private use at home.
So by that metric my home oscilloscope, clearly lab equipment, and my computer, clearly office equipment, would not need to comply, but my toaster and the indoor vacuum cleaner but maybe  not the karcher garage one, would fall into this category ;-) #

But none of this affects the legality of providing a socket for visitors who are neither importing nor selling their equipment to anyone... Nor indeed of supplying such a thing to a country without the UK plug and socket regulations.

It does however need to be safe, so shutters and sensible sized holes are still a good  idea.

There are some dire examples out there.

https://image.made-in-china.com/43f34j00rJolZdKPMLkp/Power-Electrical-Universal-Socket-with-Multi-Outlet.webp

Mike.

mapj1 said:

8 For the purposes of these Regulations an appliance ordinarily intended for domestic use is taken to mean one that is intended for private use at home.
So by that metric my home oscilloscope, clearly lab equipment, and my computer, clearly office equipment, would not need to comply, but my toaster and the indoor vacuum cleaner but maybe  not the karcher garage one, would fall into this category ;-) #

Yes, that is only to do with the part of the Regulations that requires a plug to be fitted to an appliance ... it doesn't cover the other parts in the legislation regarding supply (and fitting) of socket-outlets.

Clearly socket-outlets that are not to BS 1363 may be fitted in commercial premises, where they are not intended for 'domestic and similar use' (which has a  meaning in standards speak relating to the environmental conditions and conditions of use, including "by ordinary persons" and which may or may not be interpreted differently in the legislation ...).

But there are no parts in that legislation, despite its title,  that are clearly intended to be seen as  being "  regarding supply (and fitting) of socket-outlets.."

All that is said is said in relation to the supply of plugs and that those plugs must be capable of fitting  sockets made to the relevant standard. It does not actually preclude sockets not to any standard - it probably should but it does not. So, as above, there are some dreadful examples out there that do not.

Mike.

mapj1 said:

But there are no parts in that legislation, despite its title,  that are clearly intended to be seen as  being "  regarding supply (and fitting) of socket-outlets.."

Not sure about that.

“electrical device” means a device to which Part I of these Regulations applies by virtue of regulation 4(1) below;

Electrical devices to which Part I applies

4.—(1) Subject to the following provisions of this regulation, this Part applies to the following devices namely any plug, socket or adaptor ordinarily intended for domestic use at a voltage of not less than 200 volts ...

Prohibitions on supply etc. of electrical devices

5.  No person shall supply, offer for supply, agree to supply, expose for supply or possess for supply an electrical device unless the requirements of regulation 6 below are satisfied in relation to it.

Requirements for electrical devices

6.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2) below, the requirements of this regulation are that the electrical device complies with the requirements of regulations 8 or 10 below as appropriate.

Electrical devices other than standard plugs

10.—(1) Subject to the following provisions of this regulation, any electrical device (other than a standard plug) specified in column 2 of Schedule 2 to these Regulations shall conform to the particular British Standard specified for such devices in column 3 of that Schedule.

So it is unlawful to supply any socket other than a BS 1363, BS 546, or BS 4573 one for domestic use. Granted, a Schuko socket may be intended for domestic use, but it ain't a BS one.

The penalty is specified in S.12 of the parent Act, The Consumer Protection Act 1987.

12 Offences against the safety regulations.

(1) Where safety regulations prohibit a person from supplying or offering or agreeing to supply any goods or from exposing or possessing any goods for supply, that person shall be guilty of an offence if he contravenes the prohibition.

(5) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to both.

Level 5 = £5k.

You have been warned!!!