Publishing and copyright information

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

The following BSI references relate to the work on this document:
Committee reference PEL/23
Drafts for comment 15/30297232 DC; 17/30365271 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 August 2016. It was prepared by Technical Committee PEL/23, Electrical accessories. A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on request to its secretary.

Supersession

BS 1363‑1:2016+A1:2018 supersedes BS 1363‑1:2016, which is withdrawn.

BS 1363‑1:2016 superseded BS 1363‑1:1995+A4:2012, which remains current and will be withdrawn on 31 August 2019.

Information about this document

BS 1363 comprises five parts covering the following:

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

NOTE In order to prevent confusion with BS 1363:1984, the figure and clause numbers have been retained.

The structure of BS EN 50525 and its derivation from British Standards and HD 21 and HD 22 is set out in BS EN 50525‑1:2011, National Annex NA. This is reproduced in Annex H for the convenience of users of this part of BS 1363.

BS 1363‑1 was a new edition, which incorporated technical changes only. It did not represent a full review or revision of the standard, which will be undertaken in due course.

The new edition of BS 1363‑1 incorporated Annex G (normative) which provides requirements for incorporated electronic components.

The new edition of BS 1363‑1 incorporated Annex J (informative) which provides dimensions for plug profiles to improve compatibility with BS 1363‑2:2016 socket-outlets incorporated in floor boxes and IP rated enclosures.

It is intended that Annex J will become normative in the future.

Text introduced or altered by Amendment No. 1 is indicated in the text by tags . Minor editorial changes are not tagged.

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 Rules for the structure and drafting of UK standards, subclause J.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.

Contractual and legal considerations

This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

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

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. at 50 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. The plugs may be rewirable or non-rewirable complete with flexible cable. Two 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 Annex H), having conductor cross‑sectional areas from 0.5 mm² to 1.5 mm² inclusive.

NOTE 1 See 19.1.

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

NOTE 2 See 19.4.

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 1363‑2:2016.

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 G are included within the scope of this part of BS 1363.

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

NOTE 3 The titles of the publications referred to in this part of BS 1363 are listed in the bibliography.

2 Conditions of use

3 Terms and definitions

4 General

5 General conditions for type testing

5.1

5.2

5.3

6 Classification

7 Marking and labelling

7.1

7.2

7.3

7.4

7.5

8 Clearances, creepage distances and solid insulation

8.1 Clearances

8.2 Creepage distances

8.3 Solid insulation

8.4 Requirements for printed wiring boards and equivalent construction

9 Accessibility of live parts

9.1

9.2

9.3

9.4

10 Provision for earthing

10.1

11 Terminals and terminations

11.1

11.2

11.3

11.4

11.5

11.6

11.7

11.8

11.9

11.10

11.11

11.12

12 Construction of plugs

12.1

12.2

12.3

12.4

12.5

12.6

12.7

12.8

12.9

12.10

12.11

12.12

12.13

12.14

12.15

12.16

12.17

12.18

12.19

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

15.2

16 Temperature rise

16.1

17 Breaking capacity of switches incorporated in fused plugs

17.1

18 Normal operation of switches

18.1

19 Connection of flexible cables and cable anchorage

19.1

19.2

19.3

19.4

19.5

19.6

20 Mechanical strength

20.1

21 Screws, current-carrying parts and connections

21.1

21.2

21.3

22 Resistance to heat

22.1

22.2

23 Resistance to abnormal heat and fire

23.1 General

23.2 Glow-wire test

24 Resistance to excessive residual stresses and to rusting

24.1

24.2

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

25.1

26 Overload tests

26.1

27 Cyclic loading test

27.1 Requirement

27.2 Testing

Bibliography

BS 1363-1:2016+A1:2018

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

Current, Under Review

Published:

28 Feb 2018