BSI Approved RB-02 British Socket Female Outlet 3 Pole 13A 250V UK Wall Panel Power Electrical Plugs And Sockets BS 1363
Main Features
► VDE Approved
► Standard: BS 1363
► Rating:13A 250V AC
► Insulation Resistance: 100MΩ 500V DC/1 minute
► Dielectric Strength: 2000V AC/1 minute
► Housing Material: Thermoplastic 94V-2~V-0
► Grouded
Dimensional Drawing (mm)
Product Images
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Other UK Socket
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| RB-02 (B204) British Sockets | RB-02T(03) UK Power Sockets |
England
Are you planning to visit England? Select your country of residence to check automatically if you need a power plug adapter or voltage converter in England.
Electricity in England
In England the power sockets are of type G. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Which power plugs and sockets in England?
In England the power sockets are of type G. Check out the following pictures.
Type G: this type is of British origin. This socket only works with plug G.
Type G: This socket has no alternative plugs
What voltage and frequency in England?
In England the standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. You can use your electric appliances in England, if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 - 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa). Manufacturers take these small deviations into account. If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 100 V - 127 V (as is in the US, Canada and most South American countries), you need a voltage converter in England. You can find voltage converters at Amazon. You can also consider a combined power plug adapter/voltage converter.
If the frequency in England (50 Hz) differs from the one in your country, it is not advised to use your appliances. But if there is no voltage difference, you could (at your own risk) try to use the appliance for a short time. Be especially careful with moving, rotating and time related appliances like clocks, shavers and electric fan heaters.
To be sure, check the label on the appliance. Some appliances never need a converter. If the label states 'INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz' the appliance can be used in all countries in the world. This is common for chargers of tablets/laptops, photo cameras, cell phones, toothbrushes, etc.
About BS 1363
In 1941 committees were established to investigate problems likely to affect the post-war rebuilding of Britain. The Electrical Installation Committee was charged in 1942 with the study off all aspects of electrical installations in buildings. Their report, that appeared in 1944, states among others:
"Experience has shown that the present three standard sizes of three-pin socket-outlets and plugs suitable for domestic use (BS 546), rated respectively at 2, 5, and 15 amperes, have not been wholly satisfactory from the standpoint of the convenience of the consumer. The absence of an intermediate size between 5 and 15 amperes, and the cost and dimensions of the 15-ampere standard, have contributed to the use of non-standard socket-outlets and plugs to fill a gap in which there is a substantial demand."
The committee proposed that a completely new socket-outlet and plug should be adopted as the "all-purpose" domestic standard. Safety aspects were an important issue. Among others, to ensure the safety of young children, socket contacts should be protected by shutters or other like means.
An other recommendation was to introduce a ring circuit wiring system, that offered a more efficient and lower cost system which would safely support a greater number of sockets. In contrast to conventional ring wiring, radial wiring requires fused plugs; see radial and ring circuit page for details.
In 1947 BS 1363 became the new standard for "Fused-Plugs and Shuttered Socket-Outlets".
MK Electric* and at least two other companies, Wylex and Dorman & Smith, have designed fused plugs (see links at the bottom of the page).
From late 1940s new houses are wired according to ring circuit system. Some older houses were rewired, others existing installations were given a face lift by replacing the wall-sockets. New applications are supplied with a fused BS 1363 plug. The MK type of plug, with rectangular pins finally became - de facto - the standard BS 1363 plug. Wylex and Dorman & Smith plugs and sockets have been used up to the late 1980s.
BS 546 plugs and sockets are still used in the U.K. and Ireland. Among others for centrally switched lighting circuits, in order to distinguish them from normal power circuits. Some countries of the Commonwealth of Nations still use BS 546, others have adopted BS 1363, and occasionally a mix of "old" and "new" can be found. Note that also fused BS 546 plugs exist, see BS 546 page.
Main sources of information are: personal communication by David Peacock (see also The Remarkable Evolution of BS 1363 in Wiring Matters issue 49 - winter 2013) and Wikipedia page on British AC power plugs and sockets.
