BS 1363 - Adoption

Adoption

Most appliances are connected with BS 1363 plugs. Exceptions include equipment requiring more than 13 amps, remotely switched lighting, and low-power portable equipment, such as shavers, which may be used in several countries. Many bathrooms, particularly in hotels, have 2-pin standard "shaver sockets", which usually accommodate both European and US 2-pin plugs.

Consumer Protection legislation in both the UK and Ireland requires that most domestic electrical goods sold in either country be fitted with a BS 1363 or IS 401 (as applicable) plug.

The BS 1363 design is used in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Yemen, Oman, Cyprus, Malta, Gibraltar, Botswana, Ghana, Hong Kong, Jordan, Macau, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Iraq, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. BS 1363 is also standard in several of the former British Caribbean colonies such as Belize, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Grenada. It is also used in Saudi Arabia in 230 V installations.

The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) issued the Irish Standard "I.S. 401 Safety Requirements for Rewireable 13A Fused Plugs for Normal and Rough Use Having Insulating Sleeves on Line and Neutral Pins", which is largely similar to BS 1363. Any relevant plugs originating or sold in the country must pass the Irish Standard or an equivalent standard of a member of the European Union, which includes BS 1363.

The UK, and some other countries, also use the earlier BS 546 round-pin socket standard. BS 546 is limited to old installations or specialised applications where mating with the standard variety is not desired. For example, if a receptacle is connected to a dimmer or a switch of low current capability, use of a BS 546 receptacle and plug is intended to prevent devices other than lighting from being connected. BS 546 is also used in applications where a non-fused plug is wanted.