Some designs require that nothing be plugged in if the IP rating is to be maintained. This is more sensible than it sounds, the intended use is outdoors in say a domestic garden, where the socket outlet is exposed to rain in wet weather. It is only intended to be USED in dry weather, who mows the lawn in the rain ? Should not be used with say outdoor lighting, or slow chargers for EVs that might be left plugged in in wet weather.

Some designs require that nothing be plugged in if the IP rating is to be maintained. This is more sensible than it sounds, the intended use is outdoors in say a domestic garden, where the socket outlet is exposed to rain in wet weather. It is only intended to be USED in dry weather, who mows the lawn in the rain ? Should not be used with say outdoor lighting, or slow chargers for EVs that might be left plugged in in wet weather.

I think it is very misleading for the lay person.  The box is labelled as an outdoor garden socket hence implying weatherproof.  They need to clearly state
Dry weather use only to attach appliance
Or
All weather use for appliance.

(As long as it is clear to the layperson)

There is always the argument about the who mows the lawn in the rain?
The plug and socket arrangement could be used for
Pond
Jet Washer
Mobile sump pump

It does need to be clear - outdoor sockets are not always for mowing the lawn - and even so it is not unknown to start in the dry and finish and wind in the leads in the rain - this is the UK after all.

I have a natural aversion to jet washers with short leads and 13A plugs, but it is an unintended consequence of the plug and socket regs that this is how they are normally sold.

Equally a mated 13A extension lead socket is OK operating with a light coating of droplets, until you go to pick it up. In more than one tight spot, I have been known to do ugly things with plastic bags and tape, taking care to get the open end draining down, which count as site applied insulation to no reg standard at all but make things a lot safer than doing nothing.

Mike.

Mike

yes it is quite misleading to sell a product with a certain specification but as soon as you use it, the specification changes. My example of the Gewiss socket is the same as a car manufacturer saying that in testing their car will do 50 mpg but when you want to use it and actually put people in it, it only does 20mpg. It’s a bit of a cop out on their part in my opinion 

There are some even worse examples.  Electric vans stating a range of 150 miles.  Load it up with 2 or 3 worker and their tools and parts.  The drive 50 miles and the battery is flat.

Recently Amazon had to send back a whole fleet of electric vans as the range was absoluly shocking.