Technical Standards in Hong Kong - Electrical Plugs and Adaptors

Electrical Plugs and Adaptors

See also Common electrical adaptors in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, Domestic AC power plugs and sockets, BS 1363 and Common electrical plug and socket problems in Hong Kong.

Before the legislation of the Electrical Products Regulation (a few years prior to the handover in 1997), British standard extension cables, plugs and adaptors were seldom found in the market. Electrical appliances were fitted with 2-pin plugs and quasi-UK three pin plugs (which meant they were compatible with BS 1363 or BS 546 sockets, but the plug itself did not comply with the British Standard).

After the enforcement of the regulation, many British standard electrical products are common in Hong Kong market. Some adaptors common in the United Kingdom are not available in Hong Kong. Conversely, local manufacturers develop adaptors for the Hong Kong market and they are not often sold in the UK.

Some local manufacturers print the Union Flag on the plugs and extension cables, but these products are not manufactured or sold in the United Kingdom. This practice has not ceased even though Hong Kong was transferred back to the People's Republic of China in 1997.