AC power plugs and sockets: British and related types

Uncommon card · No. 199337

Plugs and sockets for electrical appliances in the United Kingdom originated in the 1870s and were initially two-pin designs. These were initially sold as a mating pair, but gradually standards arose to enable the interchange of compatible devices. In the United Kingdom, British Standards lists three types of socket-outlet systems primarily for domestic use: The fuse-in-plug universal polarised maximum 13 A BS 1363. This family of accessories has one universal plug having a user replaceable fuse to suit the needed amperage of the appliance flex and appliance; The unfused polarised BS 546. This family of socket-outlets has four plug types of differing sizes: 2 amps, 5 amps, 15 amps, and 30 amps; The BS 4573 two-pin unpolarised socket and plug. This is a niche application socket-outlet used primarily for shavers and rechargeable toothbrushes. A distinctive characteristic of the one BS 1363 socket-outlet and the BS 546 socket-outlet family are protective safety shutters behind the socket...

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