Publishing and copyright information

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© The British Standards Institution 2023

Published by BSI Standards Limited 2023

ISBN 978 0 539 14215 0

ICS 29.120.30

The following BSI references relate to the work on this document:
Committee reference PEL/23
Draft for comment 22/30422033 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 30 June 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This part of BS 1363 supersedes BS 1363‑1:2016+A1:2018 which remains current and will be withdrawn on 30 June 2026.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;
the overload test has been revised for rewirable and non-rewirable plugs.

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

Annex J 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This publication can be withdrawn, revised, partially superseded or superseded.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 A, 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.

Compliance 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 for 13 A fused plugs having insulating sleeves on line and neutral pins, for household, commercial and light industrial purposes, with particular reference to safety in normal use. The plugs are suitable for the connection of portable appliances, sound-vision equipment, luminaires, etc. in a.c. circuits only, operating at voltages not exceeding 250 V r.m.s. and frequencies from 50 Hz to 60 Hz. Additional requirements are included for plugs suitable for electric vehicle charging.

Requirements are specified for plugs incorporating a fuse link conforming to BS 1362:1973+A3:2021. The plugs might be rewirable or non-rewirable complete with flexible cable. Categories of plugs are specified covering normal and rough use. Rewirable plugs are intended for use with flexible cables conforming to the relevant parts of BS EN 50525 (see Clause 2), having conductor cross‑sectional areas from 0.5 mm² to 1.5 mm² inclusive. See 20.1.

Non-rewirable plugs are intended for use with flexible cables having conductor cross-sectional areas not exceeding 1.5 mm². See 20.4.

This standard also applies to non-rewirable 13 A plugs which have the earth pin replaced with a similarly dimensioned protrusion made of insulating material designated as an insulated shutter opening device (ISOD) designed to operate the shutter mechanism of socket-outlet conforming to BS 1363‑2:2023.

A plug is mechanical by nature of construction. The product is therefore immune from electromagnetic interference.

Plugs incorporating switches and indicator lamps are included within the scope of this part of BS 1363.

Plugs incorporating electronic components detailed in Annex A are included within the scope of this part of BS 1363.

Recommendations for plug in equipment incorporating BS 1363‑1 plug pins are given in Annex B.

2 Normative references

3 Terms and definitions

4 Conditions of use

5 General

6 General conditions for type testing

6.1

6.2

6.3

7 Classification and rating

7.1 Classification

7.2 Rating

8 Marking and labelling

8.1

8.2

8.3

8.4

8.5

9 Clearances, creepage distances and solid insulation

9.1 Clearances

9.2 Creepage distances

9.3 Solid insulation

9.4 Requirements for printed wiring boards and equivalent construction

10 Accessibility of live parts

10.1

10.2

10.3

10.4

11 Provision for earthing

11.1

12 Terminals and terminations

12.1

12.2

12.3

12.4

12.5

12.6

12.7

12.8

12.9

12.10

12.11

12.12

13 Construction of plugs

13.1

13.2

13.3

13.4

13.5

13.6

13.7

13.8

13.9

13.10

13.11

13.12

13.13

13.14

13.15

13.16

13.17

13.18

13.19

14 (Not used)

15 Resistance to ageing and to humidity

15.1 Resistance to ageing

15.2 Resistance to humidity

16 Insulation resistance and electric strength

16.1

16.2

17 Temperature rise

17.1

18 Breaking capacity of switches incorporated in fused plugs

18.1

19 Normal operation of switches

19.1

20 Connection of flexible cables and cable anchorage

20.1

20.2

20.3

20.4

20.5

20.6

21 Mechanical strength

21.1

22 Screws, current-carrying parts and connections

22.1

22.2

22.3

23 Resistance to heat

23.1

23.2

24 Resistance to abnormal heat and fire

24.1 General

24.2 Glow-wire test

25 Resistance to excessive residual stresses and to rusting

25.1

25.1.1

25.2

26 Electrical and thermal stress of clamp type (screwless) terminals

26.1

27 Overload tests

27.1

28 Cyclic loading test

28.1 Requirement

28.2 Testing

Bibliography

BS 1363-1:2023

13 A plugs, socket-outlets, adaptors and connection units - Rewirable and non-rewirable 13 A fused plugs. Specification

Current

Published:

30 Jun 2023