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Why are different screw heads used in UK 3 pin plugs?

Lisa Miles

This morning I had to take my fan apart to fix it and while doing that I noticed the rubber bung on the three pin plug that gives you some resistance from pulling the wires out of the plug had come loose.

So, I went to unscrew the plug so I could pop the bung back in but then noticed that there are different types of screwheads used in the plug?

The main one to unscrew the back of the plug from the main body needs a flathead screwdriver but the one that you need to use to unscrew the bar across the cables is a Phillips head?

Why is that? Why are they different? Is that done deliberately?

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    Looking closely at that picture, I notice that it says "BS1363 GAUGE". Not BS1363A as any modern plug should. I suspect that the "gauge" means that it's made to the dimensions of a BS1363 plug, without ever having been tested for compliance.

    As for the screws, It's usual for the terminals to use flat head screws. I suspect that for the rest, they used whatever they had. Looking at other plugs, there seems no consistency.

  • 0 in reply to Simon Barker
    Simon Barker said:
    I notice that it says "BS1363 GAUGE". Not BS1363A

    It is not required to mark the plug 'BS 1363/A' ... that is reserved for plugs classified as 'rough use plugs'.

    The three possible markings in the current BS 1363-1:2023 (Clause 8.1) are:

    • 'BS 1363' (general use plugs)
    • 'BS 1363/A' (rough use plugs)
    • 'BS 1363/EV' for plugs suitable for EV charging loads (charging modes 1 and 2).

    Therefore, the marking meets the requirements of the standard.

    Simon Barker said:
    without ever having been tested for compliance.

    PMS type 8191 plugs appear to be widely used, and, unless it's a fake product, I believe is covered by a Kitemark license that also covers a number of other brands the product is marked and sold under a number of other brands too. Whilst   didn't post a picture of the cover of the plug, I believe after a little research the plug is covered by BSI Kitemark KM 54406, see:

    The PDF of the Kitemark certificate confirms the 8191 is 'normal use' and correctly should be marked 'BS 1363', whereas the 9518 (one of which, coincidentally, I have on my desk as I type) is BS 1363/A 'rough use'. I can confirm the 9518 I have has the Kitemark and license number 54406 on it.

    It's not unusual these days, to see, in addition to BS 1363 markings, those of other standards for tine international market, such as IS 401 for the Republic of Ireland, or SS145 for Singapore.

    I haven't yet uncovered what 'GAUGE' refers to.

  • 0 in reply to gkenyon

    I notice that it says "BS1363 GAUGE"

    I wonder if the intention was to distinguish it from "Walsall Gauge"?

       - Andy.

  • 0 in reply to gkenyon
    gkenyon said:
    I haven't yet uncovered what 'GAUGE' refers to.

    Confirmation that it fits the test gauge in Figure 5 of BS 1363-1?

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