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Oversized BS1363 plug body safety problem

Foffer

I have purchased an electric smoker BBQ rated at 2800W made by a household name brand which is intended to be used outdoors.  It is fitted with a 1.5m lead incorporating a 10mA RCD which is included within an enlarged plug body.  The instructions and the label on the lead state that it must only be plugged into a socket or extension lead suitable for outdoor use.   The problem I have is that the elongated plug on the appliance will not fit into any type of outdoor socket I can find.  These sockets are usually made so that the lid can be closed over an installed plug the design of which means the socket is slightly recessed within the body, leaving a raised edge.  This stops the pins of the elongated RCD plug from being able reach the socket, even with the lid open.

I have found a work-around by using an adaptor plug as a spacer between the outdoor socket and the RCD plug. Not ideal, but if anyone has any better suggestion I'd like to hear it.  All my property is RCD protected so I could cut the RCD plug off and fit a standard plug but then the warranty could be compromised.   

I have written to the manufacturer but haven't had any response yet.

How have we ended up with so many different sized plug bodies?  Some prevent the second socket being used in a double outlet, some prevent the on/off switch being used and as in this case won't fit in an outdoor socket.

Are there any regs regarding the compatibility of all BS1363 sockets and plugs, if not should there be?

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  • Foffer said:
    Are there any regs regarding the compatibility of all BS1363 sockets and plugs, if not should there be?

    Yes, the Plugs and Sockets (Safety) Regulations 1994. These require, for products on the UK market:

    1. Plugs (but not adaptors or "charger plugs" etc.) to be independently certified by a notified body; and
    2. Socket-outlets and adaptors for use with BS 1363 socket-outlets to comply with the relevant part of BS 1363.

    I guess the issue being, that the "adaptor-like" plug won't mate properly with the "socket-outlet" because the standard stops at the relevant interface points (or a little outside them), rather than considering the dimensions of the "enclosure" of the outdoor socket-outlet?

    So, for example, this particular product, which has (as far as we can see) a dimensionally-conformant which standard socket-outlet: https://www.screwfix.com/p/masterplug-ip66-13a-1-gang-weatherproof-outdoor-unswitched-active-plug-socket-with-rcbo/889rg

    Would accept a "standard" (moulded or rewireable) plug, but perhaps not close with the plug fitted to this extension lead by the same manufacturer?  https://www.screwfix.com/p/masterplug-10a-4-gang-25m-cable-reel-rcd-240v/55494 ?

    Basically, the standards don't extend to what's behind the plug, and also the outdoor enclosure in which the socket-outlet is mounted.

    There are unintended consequences if we decide to regulate the dimensions of the rear of the plug, for example it would result in a "ban" of the "easy-grip" plugs used by people who don't have as much strength in their arms, or limited mobility or use of their hands): https://cpc.farnell.com/pro-elec/pe01012/plug-13a-mains-easy-pull/dp/PL13411

Reply
  • Foffer said:
    Are there any regs regarding the compatibility of all BS1363 sockets and plugs, if not should there be?

    Yes, the Plugs and Sockets (Safety) Regulations 1994. These require, for products on the UK market:

    1. Plugs (but not adaptors or "charger plugs" etc.) to be independently certified by a notified body; and
    2. Socket-outlets and adaptors for use with BS 1363 socket-outlets to comply with the relevant part of BS 1363.

    I guess the issue being, that the "adaptor-like" plug won't mate properly with the "socket-outlet" because the standard stops at the relevant interface points (or a little outside them), rather than considering the dimensions of the "enclosure" of the outdoor socket-outlet?

    So, for example, this particular product, which has (as far as we can see) a dimensionally-conformant which standard socket-outlet: https://www.screwfix.com/p/masterplug-ip66-13a-1-gang-weatherproof-outdoor-unswitched-active-plug-socket-with-rcbo/889rg

    Would accept a "standard" (moulded or rewireable) plug, but perhaps not close with the plug fitted to this extension lead by the same manufacturer?  https://www.screwfix.com/p/masterplug-10a-4-gang-25m-cable-reel-rcd-240v/55494 ?

    Basically, the standards don't extend to what's behind the plug, and also the outdoor enclosure in which the socket-outlet is mounted.

    There are unintended consequences if we decide to regulate the dimensions of the rear of the plug, for example it would result in a "ban" of the "easy-grip" plugs used by people who don't have as much strength in their arms, or limited mobility or use of their hands): https://cpc.farnell.com/pro-elec/pe01012/plug-13a-mains-easy-pull/dp/PL13411

Children
  • in reply to gkenyon

    Thank you for your reply, I appreciate your comments around the easy-grip plug.  I also note the next comment by OlympusMons who suggests using one of those big weatherproof socket boxes which I suppose would do the job.  It would have been nice if this was suggested in the manual for my BBQ!

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