107-624: (Redirected from Type-G ) Type G or G type may refer to: G-Type , a fictional character from Marvel Comics the type G plug a G-type main-sequence star a G-type asteroid a type of thermocouple the Renault G-Type engine the Avro Type G , a biplane the Caudron Type G , a biplane the Handley Page Type G , a biplane
214-528: A fuse rated to protect its flexible cord from overload and consequent fire risk. Modern appliances may only be sold with a fuse of the appropriate size pre-installed. The United Kingdom, Ireland, and Malta use the BS ;4573 two-pin plug and socket for electric shavers and toothbrushes. The plug has insulated sleeves on the pins. Although similar to the Europlug Type ;C, the diameter and spacing of
321-551: A (non-compliant) variant of IEC 60906-1 as the national standard in 1998 under specification NBR 14136 (revised in 2002). These are used for both 220-volt and 127-volt regions of the country, despite the IEC ;60906-2 recommendation that NEMA 5-15 be used for 120 V connections. There are two types of sockets and plugs in NBR ;14136: one for 10 A, with a 4.0 mm pin diameter, and another for 20 A, with
428-468: A 10 A plug will fit all sockets but a 20 A plug will fit only 20, 25 and 32 A sockets. In New Zealand, PDL 940 "tap-on" or "piggy-back" plugs are available which allow a second 10 A plug to be fitted to the rear of the plug. In Australia these piggy-back plugs are now available only on pre-made extension leads. Australia's standard plug/socket system was originally codified as standard C112 (floated provisionally in 1937, and adopted as
535-524: A 20 A version, the original motivation to use the NEMA ;10-20 plug has ceased to exist. This Australian/New Zealand standard is used in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea. It defines a plug with an earthing pin, and two flat current-carrying pins which form an inverted V-shape. The flat pins measure 6.5 by 1.6 mm (0.256 by 0.063 in) and are set at 30° to
642-523: A 4.8 mm pin diameter. This differs from IEC 60906-1 which specifies a pin diameter of 4.5 mm and a rating of 16 A. NBR 14136 does not require shutters on the apertures, a further aspect of non-compliance with IEC 60906-1. NBR 14136 was not enforced in that country until 2007, when its adoption was made optional for manufacturers. It became compulsory on 1 January 2010. Few private houses in Brazil have an earthed supply, so even if
749-403: A breaker), additional protection is required at each socket-plug connection. Theoretically, such protection could have been designated either within the socket or within the plug. However, to ensure that this protection has a rating matched to the appliance flexible cord fitted to the plug, a fuse rated between 1A and 13A is incorporated into each plug. The fuse in the plug would be sized to protect
856-432: A detachable power cord (mains flex lead) and appropriate plug in order to avoid manufacturing whole appliances, with the only difference being the type of plug. Alternatively, the plug itself can often be swappable using standard or proprietary connectors. Adaptors between standards are not included in most standards, and as a result they have no formal quality criteria defined. Physical compatibility does not ensure that
963-442: A fire when plugged into an extension cord with a current rating lower than necessary. Sometimes the cords used to plug in dual voltage 120 V / 240 V equipment are rated only for 125 V, so care must be taken by travellers to use only cords with an appropriate voltage rating. Various methods can be used to increase the number or reach of sockets. Extension cords (extension leads) are used for temporary connections when
1070-414: A formal standard in 1938), which was based on a design patented by Harvey Hubbell and was superseded by AS 3112 in 1990. The requirement for insulated pins was introduced in the 2004 revision. The current version is AS/NZS 3112:2011, Approval and test specification – Plugs and socket-outlets . Brazil, which had been using mostly Europlugs, and NEMA 1-15 and NEMA 5-15 standards, adopted
1177-612: A fuse in the plug. It has been adopted in many former British overseas territories . BS 1363 was introduced in 1947 as one of the new standards for electrical wiring in the United Kingdom used for post-war reconstruction. This plug corresponds to Type G in the IEC table. BS 1363 replaced the BS 546 plug and socket (which are still found in old installations or in special applications such as remotely switched lighting). Other exceptions to
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#17328510647981284-633: A list of approved plug and socket technical standards used in the member countries. The plug and socket system used in Class ;1 applications in Argentina is defined by IRAM standards. These two standards are; IRAM 2073 "Two pole plugs with earthing contact for domestic and similar purposes, rated 10 A and 20 A, 250 V AC" and IRAM 2071 "Two pole socket – outlets with earthing contact for 10 A and 20 A, 250 V AC., for fixed installations." The plug and socket system
1391-469: A patress, a switch being optional, requirements for terminals, bottom entry for the cable, and contact design. The appendix added five further "points of technical detail" including requirements that plugs could not be inserted incorrectly, should be easy to withdraw, and should include a fuse. This requirement for a new system of plugs and sockets led to the publishing in 1947 of "British Standard 1363:1947 Fused-Plugs and Shuttered Socket-Outlets". One of
1498-430: A socket is not within convenient reach of an appliance's power lead. This may be in the form of a single socket on a flexible cable or a power strip with multiple sockets. A power strip may also have switches, surge voltage protection, or overcurrent protection. Multisocket adaptors (or "splitters") allow the connection of two or more plugs to a single socket. They are manufactured in various configurations, depending on
1605-570: A switch for the selection of voltage. The plugs and sockets used in a given area are regulated by local governments. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) maintains a guide with letter designations for generally compatible types of plugs, which expands on earlier guides published by the United States Department of Commerce . This is a de facto naming standard and guide to travellers. Some letter types correspond to several current ratings or different technical standards, so
1712-467: A third pin for a safety connection to earth ground. The plug is a male connector, usually with protruding pins that match the openings and female contacts in a socket. Some plugs also have a female contact, used only for the earth ground connection . Typically no energy is supplied to any exposed pins or terminals on the socket. In addition to the recessed contacts of the energised socket, plug and socket systems often have other safety features to reduce
1819-674: A three-pin socket is present it is not safe to assume that all three terminals are actually connected. Most large domestic appliances were sold with the option to fit a flying earth tail to be locally earthed, but many consumers were unsure how to use this and so did not connect it. The new standard has an earth pin, which in theory eliminates the need for the flying earth tail. BS 546, "Two-pole and earthing-pin plugs, socket-outlets and socket-outlet adaptors for AC (50-60 Hz) circuits up to 250 V" describes four sizes of plug rated at 2 A, 5 A (Type D), 15 A (Type M) and 30 A. The plugs have three round pins arranged in
1926-548: A triangle, with the larger top pin being the earthing pin. The plugs are polarised and unfused. Plugs are non-interchangeable between current ratings. Introduced in 1934, the BS 546 type has mostly been displaced in the UK by the BS 1363 standard. According to the IEC, some 40 countries use Type D and 15 countries use Type M. Some, such as India and South Africa, use standards based on BS 546. BS 1363 "13 A plugs, socket-outlets, adaptors and connection units"
2033-453: A type of two-pole concentric plug and socket (similar to a very large version of the concentric connectors used for laptop PC power connections) in the "1 to 5 lights" and "5 to 10 lights" capacities. Crompton and Company introduced the first two-pin socket with protective shutters in 1893, and the Edison & Swan Company was also manufacturing two-pin plug and sockets in the 1890s. By the time
2140-461: A variety of 230 V two-pin plug types including BS 4573 and Australian two-pin plugs. The isolation transformer often includes a 115 V output that supplies a two-pin US Type A socket. Shaver supply units must also be current-limited; BS EN 61558-2-5 specifies a minimum rating of 20 VA and maximum of 50 VA. BS 4573 and BS EN 61558-2-5 both require sockets to be marked with
2247-546: Is socket-outlet , but in non-technical common use a number of other terms are used. The general term is socket , but there are numerous common alternatives, including power point , plug socket , wall socket , and wall plug . Modern British sockets for domestic use are normally manufactured as single or double units with an integral face plate and are designed to fit standard mounting boxes. Electrical sockets for single phase domestic, commercial and light industrial purposes generally provide three electrical connections to
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#17328510647982354-426: Is a registered trademark of a German association established to own the term). The socket has a circular recess with two round holes and two earthing clips that engage before live pin contact is made. The pins are 4.8 by 19 mm (0.189 by 0.748 in). The Schuko system is unpolarised, allowing live and neutral to be reversed. The socket accepts Europlugs and CEE 7/17 plugs and also includes CEE 7/7. It
2461-439: Is a result of one of the report's recommendations. Britain pre-war had used a combination of 2A, 5A, and 15A round pin sockets. In an appendix to the main report (July 1944), the committee proposed that a completely new socket-outlet with a fuse in the plug to protect an appliance's flexible cord should be adopted as the "all-purpose" one socket and plug domestic standard. The main report listed eight points to consider in deciding
2568-448: Is an exception for plugs fitted to shavers and toothbrushes which are normally a UK shaver plug (BS 4573) but may also be a Europlug (BS EN 50075). The regulations also contain a provision for the approval of non-BS 1363 conforming plugs when "the plugs are constructed using an alternative method of construction which provides an equivalent level of safety in respect of any risk of death or personal injury to plugs which conform to BS 1363 and
2675-802: Is believed to be that patented by T. T. Smith in 1883. This was shortly followed by patents from W. B. Sayers and G. Hookham; these early designs had rectangular plugs with contact plates on either side. In 1885, two-pin plug designs appeared and in 1889 there were two-pin plugs and sockets in the GEC catalogue. The 1893 GEC Catalogue included three sizes of what was described as Double plug Sockets with capacities described not in amps, but as "1 to 5 lights", "5 to 10 lights" and "10 to 20 lights". These were clearly recognisable as two-pin plugs and sockets, but with no indication as to pin size or spacing, they were sold as pairs. The same catalogue included lampholder plugs for both BC and ES lampholders (capacity unspecified), and also
2782-529: Is centred between the apertures, offset by 10 mm (0.394 in). The plug has two round pins measuring 4.8 by 19 mm (0.189 by 0.748 in), spaced 19 mm (0.748 in) apart and with an aperture for the socket's projecting earth pin. This standard is also used in Belgium , Poland , the Czech Republic , Slovakia and some other countries. Although the plug is polarised, CEE 7 does not define
2889-551: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Type G plug Plugs and sockets for electrical appliances not hardwired to mains electricity originated in the United Kingdom in the 1870s and were initially two-pin designs. These were usually sold as a mating pair, but gradually de facto and then official standards arose to enable the interchange of compatible devices. British standards have proliferated throughout large parts of
2996-410: Is for use in rooms other than bathrooms. When installed in wet areas (e.g. bathrooms), for safety reasons it is normally found incorporated into a shaver supply unit which includes an isolation transformer and meets various mechanical and electrical characteristics specified by the BS EN 61558-2-5 safety standard to protect against shock in wet areas. Shaver supply units also typically accept
3103-405: Is neither applicable nor permitted on plugs and sockets. CEE 7/1 unearthed sockets accept CEE 7/2 round plugs with 4.8 by 19 mm (0.189 by 0.748 in) pins. Because they have no earth connections they have been or are being phased out in most countries. Some countries still permit their use in dry areas, while others allow their sale for replacements only. Older sockets are so shallow that it
3210-451: Is neither applicable nor permitted on plugs and sockets. Despite this CE marking is sometimes fraudulently used, especially on universal sockets. When electricity was first introduced into houses, it was primarily used for lighting. As electricity became a common method of operating labour-saving appliances, a safe means of connection to the electric system other than using a light socket was needed. According to British author John Mellanby
3317-445: Is often designed so that the earth ground contact connects before the energized circuit contacts. The assigned IEC appliance class is governed by the requirement for earthing or equivalent protection. Class I equipment requires an earth contact in the plug and socket, while Class II equipment is unearthed and protects the user with double insulation . Where a " neutral " conductor exists in supply wiring, polarisation of
Type G - Misplaced Pages Continue
3424-449: Is possible to accidentally touch the live pins of a plug. CEE 7/1 sockets also accept CEE 7/4, CEE 7/6 and CEE 7/7 plugs without providing an earth connection. The earthed CEE 7/3 and CEE 7/5 sockets do not allow insertion of CEE 7/2 unearthed round plugs. The CEE 7/3 socket and CEE 7/4 plug are commonly called Schuko , an abbreviation for Schutzkontakt , Protective contact to earth ("Schuko" itself
3531-686: Is rated at 16 A. The current German standards are DIN 49441 and DIN 49440. The standard is used in Germany and several other European countries and on other continents. Some countries require child-proof socket shutters; the DIN ;49440 standard does not have this requirement. The plug is used in most or many countries of Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as in the countries of South Korea , Peru , Chile and Uruguay. The few European countries not using it at all are Belgium , Czech Republic , Cyprus , Ireland , Liechtenstein , Switzerland , and
3638-479: Is similar in appearance to the Australian and Chinese plugs. It has an earthing pin and two flat current-carrying pins forming an inverted V-shape (120°). The flat pins for the 10 A version measure 6.25 by 1.55 mm (0.246 by 0.061 in) and 8.0 by 1.9 mm (0.315 by 0.075 in) for the 20 A version, and are set at 30° to the vertical at a nominal pitch of 7.92 mm (0.312 in). The pin length
3745-542: Is sometimes used in the UK for centrally switched domestic lighting circuits, in order to distinguish them from normal power circuits; this is quite common in hotel rooms. This plug was also once used in theatrical installations for the same reasons as the 15 A model below. This plug corresponds to Type M in the IEC table. It is the largest in domestic use and is commonly used in the UK for indoor dimmable theatre and architectural lighting installations. The 30 A plug
3852-494: Is such that plugs of that type may reasonably be expected to be safe in use". Certifying bodies have used this provision by developing their own standards for novel devices, thus allowing the introduction of innovative developments; an example is the plastic ISOD (insulated shutter opening device) which was originally approved against either an ASTA Standard or the BSI PAS 003 (See NOTE) before becoming incorporated into BS 1363-1:1995 at
3959-423: Is the connector attached to an electrically-operated device, often via a cable. A socket (also known as a receptacle or outlet ) is fixed in place, often on the internal walls of buildings, and is connected to an AC electrical circuit. Inserting ("plugging in") the plug into the socket allows the device to draw power from this circuit. Plugs and wall-mounted sockets for portable appliances became available in
4066-402: Is the largest of the family. This was used for high power industrial equipment up to 7.2 kW, such as industrial kitchen appliances, or dimmer racks for stage lighting. Plugs and sockets were usually of an industrial waterproof design with a screw locking ring on the plug to hold it in the socket against waterproof seals, and sockets often had a screw cap chained to them to be used when no plug
4173-475: Is the main plug and socket type used in the United Kingdom. According to the IEC it is also used in over 50 countries worldwide. Some of these countries have national standards based on BS 1363, including: Bahrain , Hong Kong , Ireland , Cyprus , Malaysia , Malta , Saudi Arabia , Singapore , Sri Lanka , and UAE . This plug has three rectangular pins forming an isosceles triangle. The BS 1363 plug has
4280-515: Is the same as in the Chinese version. The earthing pin length is 21.4 mm (0.843 in) for the 10 A version and 21.8 mm (0.858 in) for the 20 A version. On the plugs, the pole length is 18.2 mm (0.717 in) for the 10 A version and 17.8 mm (0.701 in) for the 20 A version. The most important difference from the Australian plug is that the Argentine plug
4387-502: Is wired with the live and neutral contacts reversed. In Brazil, similar plugs and sockets are still commonly used in old installations for high-power appliances like air conditioners, dishwashers, and household ovens. Although being often called "Argentine plug," it is actually based on the American NEMA ;10-20 standard, and is incompatible with Argentine IRAM plugs. Since Brazil adopted the NBR 14136 standard which includes
Type G - Misplaced Pages Continue
4494-706: The Audi Type G , a moderately early car the Renault Voiturette Type G , an early car Immunoglobulin G , an antibody type G type Adelaide tram Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Type G . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Type_G&oldid=1223422026 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description
4601-558: The IEC 60083 plugs and sockets standard. In the United Kingdom and in Ireland, this system is usually referred to simply as a "13 amp plug" or a "13 amp socket". BS 546 , Two-pole and earthing-pin plugs, socket-outlets and socket-outlet adaptors for AC (50–60 Hz) circuits up to 250 V is an older British Standard for three-pin AC power plugs and sockets . Originally published in April 1934, it
4708-483: The UK , or not using it predominantly are Denmark , Faroe Island , France , Italy , Monaco , San Marino , Slovakia . French standard NF C 61-314 defines the CEE ;7/5 socket and CEE 7/6 plug, (and also includes CEE 7/7, 7/16 and 7/17 plugs). The socket has a circular recess with two round holes. The round earth pin projecting from the socket connects before the energized contacts touch. The earth pin
4815-447: The 10 A. Versions of the concentric plug and socket were now offered rated at 5 A and 10 A. At the same time Lundberg were offering the 2.5 A Dot , 5 A Universal , and 15 A Magnum , and Tucker were offering a range of 5 A, 10 A and 20 A plugs and sockets. BS 73 Wall plugs and sockets (five ampere two-pin without earthing connection) was first published in 1915, and revised in 1919 with
4922-545: The 1880s, to replace connections to light sockets. A proliferation of types were subsequently developed for both convenience and protection from electrical injury . Electrical plugs and sockets differ from one another in voltage and current rating, shape, size, and connector type. Different standard systems of plugs and sockets are used around the world, and many obsolete socket types are still found in older buildings. Coordination of technical standards has allowed some types of plug to be used across large regions to facilitate
5029-526: The 1911 GEC Catalogue was published two-pin plugs and sockets were being offered with specifications in amps, but still with no indication as to pin size or spacing. The Midget Gauge was rated at 3 A, the Standard Gauge rated at 5 A, and the Union Gauge rated at 10 A. Also offered were two-way and three-way "T pieces" or multi-way adaptors for the 3 A and 5 A plugs, two-way only for
5136-522: The 5 A, 15 A and 30 A plugs. In practice most BS 546 plugs are unfused with fused versions being unusual and expensive. The 15 ampere (A) sockets were generally given a dedicated 15 A circuit. Multiple 5 A sockets might be on a 15 A circuit, or each on a dedicated 5 A circuit. Lighting circuits fused at 5 A were generally used to feed the 2 A sockets. Adaptors were available from 15 A down to 5 A and from 5 A down to 2 A so in practice it
5243-528: The Euro plug into British sockets. In the early 20th century, A. P. Lundberg & Sons of London manufactured the Tripin earthed plug available in 2.5 A and 5 A models. The Tripin is described in a 1911 book dealing with the electrical products of A. P. Lundberg & Sons and its pin configuration appears virtually identical to modern BS 546 plugs. The first British standard for domestic three-pin plugs
5350-557: The International Electrotechnical Vocabulary. Generally the plug is the movable connector attached to an electrically operated device's mains cable , and the socket is fixed on equipment or a building structure and connected to an energised electrical circuit. The plug has protruding pins (referred to as male ) that fit into matching apertures (called female ) in the sockets. A plug is defined in IEC 60050 as an "accessory having pins designed to engage with
5457-477: The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994. The guidance notes to the 1994 regulations state: The Plugs and Sockets, etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 (the "Regulations") were introduced to provide a regulatory regime to address issues regarding consumer safety. There were concerns that consumer safety was compromised by the substantial quantity of counterfeit and unsafe electrical plugs and sockets being placed on
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#17328510647985564-435: The UK market and also by the provision of electrical equipment without an appropriate means to connect it to the mains supply in the consumer's home. The regulations include a requirement that all plug types must be tested and certified by a nominated approval body (normally BSI , ASTA-Intertek or NEMKO ). They also require that all mains appliances for domestic use in the UK be supplied with approved BS 1363 plugs, but there
5671-479: The UK such as stage lighting for the type M. When BS 546 was in common use domestically in the UK the standard did not require sockets to be shuttered, although many were. The current revision of the standard allows optional shutters similar to those of BS 1363 . Current UK wiring regulations require socket outlets installed in homes to be shuttered. There are four ratings of plug and socket in BS 546, (2 A, 5 A, 15 A and 30 A). Each has
5778-416: The United Kingdom and in Ireland this system is usually referred to by its pin shape and is simply known as "round pin plugs" or "round pin sockets". It is often associated with obsolete wiring installations or where it is found in modern wiring, it is confined to special use cases, particularly for switch-controlled lamps and stage lighting. The International Electrotechnical Commission publishes IEC 60050,
5885-509: The United States Army, and a manufacturer of sockets point out a number of safety issues with universal socket and adaptors, including voltage mismatch, exposure of live pins, lack of proper earth ground connection, or lack of protection from overload or short circuit. Universal sockets may not meet technical standards for durability, plug retention force, temperature rise of components, or other performance requirements, as they are outside
5992-529: The addition of 15 A and 30 A sizes. By the 1927 revision of BS 73 four sizes of two-pin plugs and sockets were standardized: 2 A, 5 A, 15 A and 30 A. This was later superseded by BS 372:1930 part 1 Two-pin Side-entry Wall Plugs And Sockets for Domestic Purposes . Following the introduction of BS 4573 in 1970 there were no longer any UK domestic uses for two-pin sockets except for shavers, so BS 372
6099-404: The apex. Earthed sockets are designed to be incompatible with two-pin plugs. Both BS 546 and BS 1363 sockets, when viewed from the front with the earth uppermost, have the line aperture at the lower right. A Statutory Instrument , the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1987, was introduced to specifically regulate plugs and sockets in the United Kingdom . This was revised by
6206-418: The appliance and socket match in frequency or voltage. Adaptors allow travellers to connect devices to foreign sockets, but do not change voltage or frequency. A voltage converter is required for electrical compatibility in places with a different voltage than the device is designed for. Mismatch in frequency between supply and appliances may still cause problems even at the correct voltage. Some appliances have
6313-540: The contacts of a socket-outlet, also incorporating means for the electrical connection and mechanical retention of flexible cables or cords". A plug therefore does not contain components which modify the electrical output from the electrical input (except where a switch or fuse is provided as a means of disconnecting the output from input). There is an erroneous tendency to refer to power conversion devices with incorporated plug pins as plugs, but IEC 60050 refers to these as 'direct plug-in equipment' defined as "equipment in which
6420-518: The context of plugs and sockets) is defined in IEC 60050 as "a portable accessory constructed as an integral unit incorporating both a plug portion and one or more socket-outlet portions". (There is an alternative spelling, 'adapter', but adaptor is the form usually used in standards and official documents.) There are certain characteristics common to British mains plugs and sockets intended for domestic use. The brass pins appear relatively solid and large compared to others. British Standards for plugs (with
6527-439: The country and the region in which they are used, with various ratings. This allows connecting more than one electrical consumer item to one single socket and is mainly used for low power devices (TV sets, table lamps, computers, etc.). They are usually rated at 6 A 250 V, 10 A 250 V, or 16 A 250 V. This is the general rating of the adaptor, and indicates the maximum total load in amps, regardless of
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#17328510647986634-403: The design of the new standard. The first of these was stated as, "To ensure the safety of young children it is of considerable importance that the contacts of the socket-outlet should be protected by shutters or other like means, or by the inherent design of the socket-outlet." Others included flush-fitting as opposed to the 2A, 5A and 15A sockets which mainly protruded from the wall being fitted on
6741-624: The electrical products of A. P. Lundberg & Sons of London describes the Tripin earthed plug available in 2.5 A and 5 A models. The pin configuration of the Tripin appears virtually identical to modern BS 546 plugs. In her 1914 book Electric cooking, heating, cleaning, etc Maud Lucas Lancaster mentions an earthed iron-clad plug and socket by the English firm of A. Reyrolle & Company . The 1911 General Electric Company (GEC) Catalogue included several earthed sockets intended for industrial use. The earliest domestic plug and socket
6848-418: The exception of BS 4573) have always specified side entry flex (entry in other types is usually parallel to the axes of the pins). Since 1934, the contacts of a socket have been specified in terms of the pins of the plug, rather than by specifying the contact dimensions. The pins of both round pin and rectangular pin plugs are arranged in a triangular fashion, the earth pin being the larger and longer pin at
6955-607: The first plug and socket in England was introduced by T. T. Smith in 1883, and there were two-pin designs by 1885, one of which appears in the (British) General Electric Company catalogue of 1889. Gustav Binswanger, a German Jewish immigrant who founded the General Electric Company, obtained a patent (GB189516898) in 1895 for a plug and socket using a concentric (co-axial) contact system. The earthed consumer plug has several claimants to its invention. A 1911 book dealing with
7062-441: The first three-pin earthed (grounded) plugs appeared. Over time other safety improvements were gradually introduced to the market. The earliest national standard for plug and wall socket forms was set in 1915. Designs of plugs and sockets have gradually developed to reduce the risk of electric shock and fire. Plugs are shaped to prevent bodily contact with live parts. Sockets may be recessed and plugs designed to fit closely within
7169-595: The flexible cord for over-current. Wired connections may also be connected to the final ring, requiring to include a suitably rated fuse and switch. The final ring circuit in the UK requires the use of BS 1363 plugs and sockets. However, the BS 1363 system is not limited to use with final ring circuits being suitable for radial circuits. BS 1363 is periodically revised and with supplements and amendments issued between major revisions. BS 1363:1984 and earlier versions dealt only with 13 A plugs and sockets. From 1989 onwards
7276-407: The former British Empire . BS 1363 , 13 A plugs socket-outlets adaptors and connection units is a British Standard which specifies the most common type of single-phase AC power plugs and sockets that are used in the United Kingdom . Distinctive characteristics of the system are shutters on the neutral and line (see § Concepts and terminology below) socket holes, and a fuse in
7383-521: The full supply voltage relative to the neutral. The protective earth connection allows the exposed metal parts of the appliance to be connected to earth, providing protection to the user should those exposed parts inadvertently come into contact with any live parts within the appliance. Historically, two-pin sockets without earth were used in Britain, but their use is now restricted to sockets specifically designated for shavers and toothbrushes. An adaptor (in
7490-412: The hot blade, so it can only be inserted one way. Wiring systems where both circuit conductors have a significant potential with respect to earth do not benefit from polarised plugs. Plugs and power cords have a rated voltage and current assigned to them by the manufacturer. Using a plug or power cord that is inappropriate for the load may be a safety hazard. For example, high-current equipment can cause
7597-406: The introduction of BS 1363, illustrating that BS 546 was not used exclusively at any time. Although still permitted by the UK wiring regulations , BS 546 sockets are no longer used for general purposes. The type D 2 amp and 5 amp plugs are mainly used for lighting such as table lamps. Some of the type D and M varieties remain in use in other countries and in specialist applications in
7704-428: The letter does not uniquely identify a plug and socket within the type family, nor guarantee compatibility. Physical compatibility of the plug and socket does not ensure correct voltage, frequency, or current capacity. Not all plug and socket families have letters in the IEC guide, but those that have are noted in this article, as are some additional letters commonly used by retail vendors. In Europe, CENELEC publishes
7811-522: The live wires in the wall behind it. Some also have an integrated cover (e.g. a hinged flap) covering the socket itself when not in use, or a switch to turn off the socket. Some plugs have a built-in fuse which breaks the circuit if too much current is passed. A third contact for a connection to earth is intended to protect against insulation failure of the connected device. Some early unearthed plug and socket types were revised to include an earthing pin or phased out in favour of earthed types. The plug
7918-462: The mains plug forms an integral part of the equipment enclosure so that the equipment is supported by the mains socket-outlet". In this article, the term 'plug' is used in the sense defined by IEC 60050. Sockets are designed to prevent exposure of bare energised contacts. To reduce the risk of users accidentally touching energized conductors and thereby experiencing electric shock , plug and socket systems often incorporate safety features in addition to
8025-805: The number of sockets used (for example, if a 16 A 250 V adaptor has four sockets, it would be fine to plug four different devices into it that each consume 2 A as this represents a total load of only 8 A, whereas if only two devices were plugged into it that each consumed 10 A, the combined 20 A load would overload the circuit). In some countries these adaptors are banned and are not available in shops, as they may lead to fires due to overloading them or can cause excessive mechanical stress to wall-mounted sockets. Adaptors can be made with ceramic, Bakelite, or other plastic bodies. "Universal" or "multi-standard" sockets are intended to accommodate plugs of various types. In some jurisdictions, they violate safety standards for sockets. Safety advocates,
8132-417: The original lengths of the line and neutral pins on the 15 and 5 amp versions were slightly longer at 0.812 inches (20.6 mm) and 0.625 inches (15.9 mm) respectively. BS 1363 is a British Standard which specifies the common single-phase AC power plugs and sockets that are used in the United Kingdom . Distinctive characteristics of the system are shutters on the line and neutral socket holes, and
8239-399: The original, the plug has insulated sleeves on the pins. Electric toothbrushes in the UK are normally supplied with the same plug. The sockets for this plug are rated at (and limited to) 200 mA. BS 4573 has no explicit specification for the plug rating, but Sheet GB6 of IEC 60083 states that a rating of 0.2 A applies to all BS 4573 accessories. The BS 4573 socket
8346-413: The other recommendations in the report was the introduction of the final ring circuit system (often informally called a "ring main"). In this arrangement a cable connected to a fuse, or circuit breaker, in the distribution board was wired in sequence to a number of sockets before being terminated back at the distribution board, thus forming a final ring circuit. In the final ring circuit, each socket-outlet
8453-522: The pins are slightly different and hence it will not fit into a Schuko socket. There are, however, two-pin sockets and adaptors which will accept both BS 4573 and Europlugs. The International Commission on the Rules for the Approval of Electrical Equipment ( IECEE ) was a standards body which published Specification for plugs and socket-outlets for domestic and similar purposes as CEE Publication 7 in 1951. It
8560-476: The placement of the live and neutral, and different countries have conflicting standards for that. For example, the French standard NF C 15-100 requires live to be on the right side, while Czech standard ČSN 33 2180 requires live to be on the left side of a socket. Thus, a French plug when plugged into a Czech socket (or a Czech plug when plugged into a French socket) will always have its polarity reversed, with no way for
8667-410: The plug can improve safety by preserving the distinction in the equipment. For example, appliances may ensure that switches interrupt the line side of the circuit, or can connect the shell of a screw-base lampholder to neutral to reduce electric shock hazard. In some designs, polarised plugs cannot be mated with non-polarised sockets. In NEMA 1 plugs, for example, the neutral blade is slightly wider than
8774-474: The plug. It has been adopted in many former British colonies and protectorates . BS 1363 was introduced in 1947 as one of the new standards for electrical wiring in the United Kingdom used for post-war reconstruction. The plug and socket replaced the BS ;546 plug and socket, which are still found in old installations or in special applications. BS 1363 plugs have been designated as Type G in
8881-399: The production and import of electrical appliances and for the convenience of travellers. Some multi-standard sockets allow use of several types of plug. Incompatible sockets and plugs may be used with the help of adaptors, though these may not always provide full safety and performance. Single-phase sockets have two current-carrying connections to the power supply circuit, and may also have
8988-533: The rear of a plug. This plug was used to connect low-power appliances (and to adaptors from the larger socket types). It is sometimes still used to connect lamps to a lighting circuit. This plug corresponds to Type D in the IEC table. In the UK it was used for moderate sized appliances, either on its own 5 A circuit or on a multi socket 15 A circuit, and also on many adaptors (both multi socket 5 A adaptors and adaptors that also had 15 A pins). This 5 A plug, along with its 2 A cousin,
9095-403: The recess to reduce risk of a user contacting the live pins. Contact pins may be sheathed with insulation over part of their length, so as to reduce exposure of energized metal during insertion or removal of the socket. Sockets may have automatic shutters to stop foreign objects from being inserted into energized contacts. Sockets are often set into a surround which prevents accidental contact with
9202-412: The recessed contacts of the energized socket. These include plugs with insulated sleeves, sockets with blocking shutters, and sockets designed to accept only compatible plugs inserted in the correct orientation. The term plug is in general and technical use in all forms of English, common alternatives being power plug , electric plug , and plug top . The normal technical term for an AC power socket
9309-463: The risk of electric shock or damage to appliances. When commercial electric power was first introduced in the 1880s, it was used primarily for lighting. Other portable appliances (such as vacuum cleaners, electric fans, smoothing irons, and curling-tong heaters) were connected to light-bulb sockets. As early as 1885 a two-pin plug and wall socket format was available on the British market. By about 1910
9416-463: The round earthing pin permanently mounted in the socket; CEE 7/6 plugs are not compatible with Schuko sockets due to the presence of indentations on the side of the recess, as well as the earth clips. CEE 7/7 plugs have been designed to solve this incompatibility by being able to fit in either type of socket. Sales and installations of 7/5 sockets are legally permitted in Denmark since 2008, but
9523-595: The same four plug and socket sizes. (BS 372 Part I was a standard for two-pin non-earthed plugs which were never included in BS 546 and which were incompatible due to different pin spacings.) Also in 1934 the 10th Edition of the IEE's "Regulations for the Electrical Equipment of Buildings" introduced the requirement for all sockets to have an earth contact. Prior to BS 546, British Standards for domestic plugs and sockets included dimensional specifications for
9630-423: The same general appearance but they are different physical sizes to prevent interchangeability. They also have pin spacing which is different from the two-pin plugs specified in BS 372, so earthed plugs will not fit into unearthed sockets, and vice versa. Plugs fitted with BS 546 fuses have been optional since the original BS 546:1934 with maximum fuse ratings of 2 A in the 2 A plug, and 5 A in
9737-881: The scope of national and international technical standards. A technical standard may include compatibility of a socket with more than one form of plug. The Thai dual socket is specified in figure 4 of TIS 166-2549 and is designed to accept Thai plugs, and also Type A, B, and C plugs. Chinese dual sockets have both an unearthed socket complying with figure 5 of GB 1002-2008 (both flat pin and 4.8 mm round pin), and an earthed socket complying with figure 4 of GB 1002-2008. Both Thai and Chinese dual sockets also physically accept plugs normally fitted to 120 V appliances (e.g. 120 V rated NEMA 1-15 ungrounded plugs). This can cause an electrical incompatibility, since both states normally supply residential power only at 220 V. Commonly, manufacturers provide an IEC 60320 inlet on an appliance, with
9844-540: The second amendment (AMD 14539) in 2003. NOTE: despite having a reference beginning 'PAS', PAS 003 was not a Publicly Available Specification but a BSI Product Approval Specification. There is no European Union regulation of domestic mains plugs and sockets; the Low Voltage Directive specifically excludes domestic plugs and sockets. As such, no relevant retained EU law applies. EU countries each have their own regulations and national standards and CE marking
9951-461: The shaver symbol defined in the IEC Standard 60417-5225; the words "shavers only" are also often used but not required. Differences between BS4573 Type C and Europlug Type C. The BS4573 plug has round 5.1mm contacts, spacing 16.7mm. The Europlug has 4mm contacts, spacing 19mm. In order to plug a Europlug into a BS4573 socket, an adapter is required. However, it may also be possible to force
10058-453: The socket contact tubes. In BS 546 there are no dimensions for socket contacts, instead they are required to make good contact with the specified plug pins. Before the introduction of BS 317, GH Scholes (Wylex) introduced (in 1926) an alternative three-pin plug in three sizes, 5 A, 10 A and 15 A with a round earth pin and rectangular live and neutral pins. A fused 13 A version of this continued to be available after
10165-794: The standard was rearranged into five parts as follows: The following chronology shows revisions, supplements and significant amendments. June 1947: BS 1363:1947 "Fused-Plugs and Shuttered Socket-Outlets" published. May 1950: BS 1363:1947 Amendment 3, title changed to "Specification for two-pole and earthing-pin fused-plugs and shuttered socket-outlets for A.C. circuits up to 250 Volts (not intended for use on D.C. circuits)". January 1957: BS 1363:1947 Amendment 5, added clause permitting operation of shutters by simultaneous insertion of two or more pins (in addition to original method using only earth pin). AC power plugs and sockets AC power plugs and sockets connect devices to mains electricity to supply them with electrical power . A plug
10272-415: The supply conductors. These are termed neutral , line and earth . Both neutral and line carry current and are defined as live parts . Neutral is usually at or very near to earth potential, being earthed either at the substation or at the service entrance (neutral-to-earth bonding is not permitted in the distribution board/consumer unit). Line (commonly, but technically incorrectly, called live ) carries
10379-477: The use of BS 1363 plugs and sockets include equipment requiring more than 13 A, low-power portable equipment (such as shavers and toothbrushes) and mains-operated clocks. In 1941 Lord Reith , then the minister of Works and Planning, established committees to investigate problems likely to affect the post-war rebuilding of Britain. One of these, the Electrical Installations Committee,
10486-476: The user to remedy this situation apart from rewiring the plug. One approach for resolving this situation is taken in Poland, where CEE 7/5 sockets are typically installed in pairs, the upper (upside-down) one having the "French" polarity and the lower one having the "Czech" polarity, so that the user can choose what to plug where. CEE 7/4 (Schuko) plugs are not compatible with the CEE 7/5 socket because of
10593-639: The vertical at a nominal pitch of 13.7 mm (0.539 in). Australian and New Zealand wall sockets (locally often referred to as power points ) almost always have switches on them for extra safety, as in the UK. An unearthed version of this plug with two angled power pins but no earthing pin is used with double-insulated appliances, but the sockets always include an earth contact. There are several AS/NZS 3112 plug variants, including ones with larger or differently shaped pins used for devices drawing 15, 20, 25 and 32 A . These sockets accept plugs of equal or lower current rating, but not higher. For example,
10700-597: Was BS 317 Hand-Shield and Side Entry Pattern Three-Pin Wall Plugs and Sockets (Two Pin and Earth Type) published in 1928. This was superseded in 1930 by BS 372 Side-Entry Wall Plugs and Sockets for Domestic Purposes Part II which states that there are only minor alterations from BS 317. In 1934, BS 372 Part II was in turn superseded by the first edition of BS 546 Two-Pole and Earthing-Pin Plugs and Socket Outlets . BS 546:1934 clause 2 specifies interchangeability with BS 372 Part II which includes
10807-568: Was charged with the study of all aspects of electrical installations in buildings. Amongst its members was Dame Caroline Haslett , President of the Women's Engineering Society , Director of the Electrical Association for Women and an expert on safety in the home. Convened in 1942, the committee reported in 1944, producing one of a set of Post War Building Studies that guided reconstruction. The plug and socket-outlet system defined in BS 1363
10914-426: Was inserted to keep them waterproof. Use of the BS 546 30 A plugs and sockets diminished through the 1970s as they were replaced with BS 4343 (which later became IEC 60309) industrial combo plugs and sockets. BS 546:1950 (current version confirmed October 2012) specifies pin dimensions only in decimal fractions of an inch, as shown below. The metric values are conversions provided here for convenience. Note,
11021-702: Was last updated by Modification 4 in March 1983. CEE 7 consists of general specifications and standard sheets for specific connectors. Standard plugs and sockets based on two round pins with centres spaced at 19 mm are in use in Europe, most of which are listed in IEC/TR ;60083 "Plugs and socket-outlets for domestic and similar general use standardized in member countries of IEC." EU countries each have their own regulations and national standards; for example, some require child-resistant shutters, while others do not. CE marking
11128-403: Was possible for an appliance with the smallest size of flex to be protected only by a 15 A fuse. This is a similar level of protection to that seen for portable appliances in other countries, but less than the protection offered by the BS 1363 fused plug. The larger top pin is the earth connection, the left-hand pin is neutral and the right-hand pin is line when looking at a socket or at
11235-501: Was renamed "Two-pin Side-entry Wall Plugs And Sockets For Special Circuits" and subsequently withdrawn. BS 4573 British Standard Specification for two-pin reversible plugs and shaver socket-outlets defines a plug for use with electric shavers. The pin dimensions are the same as those of the 5 A plug specified in the obsolete BS 372:1930 part 1 (as shown in the table above). Unlike
11342-435: Was supplied with current by conductors on both sides of the 'loop.' This contrasts with the radial circuit system (which is also used in the UK, often in the same installation) wherein a single cable runs out radially, like a spoke, from the distribution board to serve a number of sockets. Since the fuse or circuit breaker for a final ring circuit has to be rated for the maximum current the final ring could carry (30A or 32A for
11449-412: Was updated by a 1950 edition which is still current, with eight amendments up to 1999. BS 546 is also the precursor of current Indian and South African plug standards. The 5 A version has been designated as Type D and the 15 A as Type M in the IEC 60083 plugs and sockets standard. BS 546 plugs and sockets are still permitted in the UK, provided the socket has shutters. In
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