Hi, I've been asked to make units and install a panel with universal mains sockets. I don't believe these are safe to use. But the customer has sent me a British General version which purports to be complaint with BS1363-2 and IEC60884-2.
Has anyone had any knowledge of these finger fiendish accessories?
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.
Mike.
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.
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;
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 ...
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.
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.
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.
| 1 | Standard plugs; sockets with which standard plugs may be engaged. | BS 1363. |
| 2 | Round–pin plugs; sockets and adaptors with which round–pin plugs may be engaged. | BS 546. |
| 3 | 2–pin reversible plugs and shaver sockets. | BS 4573. |
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!!!
for domestic use
And that's the rub.
I guess a topical question is, taking that stand-point are we interpreting the legislation such that you can't fit an EV charging point in accordance with Part S of the Building Regulations (which requires a different standard socket-outlet for Mode 3 charging)?
So it is unlawful to supply any socket other than a BS 1363, BS 546, or BS 4573 one for domestic use.
That's not exactly how I read it - the requirements only apply to what's listed in column 2. So for example I could fit a US or AUS/NZ socket for example - as they mate with plugs with flat pins, they're not 'Standard' plugs, nor round-pin plugs, nor 2-pin reversible.
- Andy.
I suspect it OK to charge a van but becomes illegal if the car is for domestic use....
IF you really think it means that - after all it would also preclude caravan sockets etc and there are plenty of those.
I agree, some clarification of intent is needed. And I'm not taking out the Schucko sockets I have already installed- as I'd have to dob myself in, & I have no intention to do so.
And there is a three year limit from accident or injury and ten year 'long stop' limit of liability for safety matters under the CPA is there not - If I recall these features of the legislation were explored by various makers of tumble driers that catch fire...
Mike.
ordinarily intended for domestic use
Hopefully the interlocked 32A BS EN 60309 socket I've got at home for feeding long outdoor extension leads is OK then - since that type isn't ordinarily intended for domestic use, even if in my (extraordinary) case it happens to be used that way.. (OK I might need a few extra words on my BS 7671 cert to say I believe the interlock provides at least equivalent safety to shutters, but that's a separate issue).
- Andy.
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