Publishing and copyright information

The BSI copyright notice displayed in this document indicates when the document was last issued.

© The British Standards Institution 2023

Published by BSI Standards Limited 2023

ISBN 978 0 539 14219 8

ICS 29.120.30

The following BSI references relate to the work on this document:
Committee reference PEL/23
Draft for comment 22/30422041 DC

Foreword

Publishing information

This part of BS 1363 is published by BSI Standards Limited, under licence from The British Standards Institution, and came into effect on 31 May 2023. It was prepared by Technical Committee PEL/23, Electrical accessories. A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on request to the committee manager.

Supersession

This part of BS 1363 supersedes BS 1363‑5:2016 which remains current and will be withdrawn on 30 June 2026.

Relationship with other publications

BS 1363 is published in the following parts:

Part 1:Rewirable and non-rewirable 13 A fused plugs – Specification;
Part 2:13 A switched and unswitched socket-outlets – Specification;
Part 3:Adaptors – Specification;
Part 4:13 A fused connection units: switched and unswitched – Specification;
Part 5:Fused conversion plugs – Specification.

Information about this document

This is a full revision of the document, and introduces the following principal changes:

the Scope now covers operating frequencies from 50 Hz to 60 Hz;
current carrying parts made of brass are required to have a minimum content of 58% copper;
a new requirement has been added for creepage and clearance between fuse and fuse clips and engagement face with fuse carrier or cover removed.

The numbering of figures within this standard remains as in the previous version; however, future revisions will implement consecutive numbering throughout.

Annex G gives details of the annex renumbering from the 2016 editions of BS 1363, Part 1 to Part 5 to the 2023 editions.

This publication can be withdrawn, revised, partially superseded or superseded. Information regarding the status of this publication can be found in the Standards Catalogue on the BSI website at bsigroup.com/standards, or by contacting the Customer Services team.

Where websites and webpages have been cited, they are provided for ease of reference and are correct at the time of publication. The location of a webpage or website, or its contents, cannot be guaranteed.

Presentational conventions

The provisions of this standard are presented in roman (i.e. upright) type. Its requirements are expressed in sentences in which the principal auxiliary verb is “shall”.

Commentary, explanation and general informative material is presented in smaller italic type, and does not constitute a normative element.

Requirements in this standard are drafted in accordance with the Rules for the structure and drafting of UK standards:2022, subclause G.1.1, which states, “Requirements should be expressed using wording such as: ‘When tested as described in Annex F, the product shall ...’”. This means that only those products that are capable of passing the specified test will be deemed to conform to this standard.

Where words have alternative spellings, the preferred spelling of the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary is used (e.g. “organization” rather than “organisation”).

Contractual and legal considerations

This publication has been prepared in good faith, however no representation, warranty, assurance or undertaking (express or implied) is or will be made, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by BSI in relation to the adequacy, accuracy, completeness or reasonableness of this publication. All and any such responsibility and liability is expressly disclaimed to the full extent permitted by the law.

This publication is provided as is, and is to be used at the recipient’s own risk.

The recipient is advised to consider seeking professional guidance with respect to its use of this publication.

This publication is not intended to constitute a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

Conformity with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.

In particular, attention is drawn to the following specific regulations:

The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994. SI No. 1768 [1].

1 Scope

This part of BS 1363 specifies requirements, with particular reference to safety in normal use, for 13 A, fused, conversion plugs for household, commercial and light industrial purposes.

Requirements are specified for two‑pole plus earth conversion plugs that are either reusable or non‑reusable and that are suitable for the connection of non‑BS 1363 type plugs, conforming to a recognized standard, to socket‑outlets conforming to BS 1363‑2:2023.

The scope of this standard is limited to devices with the following characteristics that:

have insulating sleeves on line and neutral pins;
have one plug portion and one set of contacts intended to connect to a non‑BS 1363 type plug that conforms to the dimensional requirements of a standard listed in IEC TR 60083;
are suitable for the connection of electrical equipment in a.c. circuits only, operating at voltages not exceeding 250 V r.m.s. and frequencies from 50 Hz to 60 Hz and not exceeding 13 A; and
have the un‑terminated metal earth pin replaced with a similarly dimensioned insulated shutter opening device (ISOD) designed to operate the shutter mechanism of a socket‑outlet conforming to BS 1363‑2:2023.

Two categories of conversion plugs are specified, covering normal and rough use.

Conversion plugs specified in this part of BS 1363 are intended for the connection of loads to socket‑outlets; they are not intended for the connection of electrical power generators to socket‑outlets.

Conversion plugs incorporating switches, transformers, thermostats or other control means are outside the scope of this part of BS 1363.

This part of BS 1363 also does not cover:

non‑BS 1363 type conversion plugs, i.e. those with a contact set to fit 13 A plugs, and a male plug portion suitable for a non‑BS 1363 type socket‑outlet;
adaptors (see BS 1363‑3); or
travel adaptors (see BS 8546).

2 Normative references

3 Terms and definitions

4 Classification and ratings

4.1 Classification

4.2 Ratings

5 General requirements

5.1 Environmental parameters

5.2 Performance requirement

5.3 Passive devices

6 Testing regime

6.1 Principle

6.2 Environmental conditions

6.3 Test samples

6.4 Conformity criteria

6.5 Inspection and test

6.6 Gauge tolerances

7 Marking and labelling

7.1 Requirements for marking

7.2 Test method

7.3 Requirements for labelling

7.4 Symbols

8 Clearances, creepage distances and solid insulation

8.1 General

8.2 Clearances

8.3 Creepage distances

8.4 Solid insulation

9 Accessibility of live parts

9.1 Accessibility of live parts

9.2 Construction to protect against accidental contact with live parts

9.3 Construction of resilient covers

9.4 Supply of an assembly

10 Provision for earthing

10.1 Requirements

10.2 Test method

11 Contacts in conversion plugs

11.1 Requirements

11.2 Test method

12 Construction of conversion plugs

12.1 Disposition of the conversion plug pins

12.2 Conversion plug dimensions

12.3 Provision of fuses – contact details

12.4 Provision of fuses – fuse‑carrier details

12.5 Attachment of base and cover

12.6 Non‑BS 1363 type plug removal

12.7 Conversion plug deformation

12.8 Conversion plug pin construction

13 (Not used)

14 Resistance to ageing and to humidity

14.1 Resistance to ageing

14.2 Resistance to humidity

15 Insulation resistance and electric strength

15.1 Insulation resistance

15.2 Electric strength

16 Temperature rise

16.1 Requirement

16.2 Test method

17 (Not used)

18 (Not used)

19 Connection of the non‑BS 1363 type plug and non‑BS 1363 type plug retention in conversion plugs

19.1 Retention of the non‑BS 1363 type plug

19.2 Non‑BS 1363 type plug retention

19.3 Clamping screws

19.4 Cable stress relief

20 Mechanical strength

20.1 General requirement

20.2 Fuse‑link test

20.3 Tumbling barrel test

21 Screws, current‑carrying parts and connections

21.1 Mechanical stress

21.2 Resistance to corrosion

22 Resistance to heat

22.1 Distortion

22.2 Resilience

22.3 Insulating material

23 Resistance to abnormal heat and fire

23.1 Performance requirement

23.2 Glow-wire test

24 Resistance to excessive residual stresses and to rusting

24.1 Copper alloy components

24.2 Ferrous components

Bibliography

BS 1363-5:2023

13 A plugs, socket-outlets, adaptors and connection units - Fused conversion plugs - Specification

Current

Published:

31 May 2023