3 pin socket

[BlueLoo]

If you were right, then that would be fractionally more 'modern' in concept than current 13A sockets, then, since BS1363 (and 13A sockets, like the ones we use today) first came into being in 1947.

However, I think the truth is that BS546 first appeared in 1934, although I think the 'current edition' (albeit with several subsequent amendments) dates from 1950.

Kind Regards, John

Standards don't work like that. They have a time and a place and things move all the time.
BS546 last issue is 1950 (currently under review interestingly).
BS1363 is current and last revised in 2018.

BS546 is still active so you can still use it but its clearly not contemporary.

 

[JohnW2]

Standards don't work like that. They have a time and a place and things move all the time.
BS546 last issue is 1950 (currently under review interestingly). BS1363 is current and last revised in 2018.

You make it sound lot 'worse' than it is. The most recent Amendement to BS 546 was in 1989, long after 1950. None of the changes/updates to BS1363-1 and BS1363-2 in the past 30 years or so have had any material effect on basic plugs/sockets.

BS546 is still active so you can still use it but its clearly not contemporary.

I don't really understand what you mean. So long as a Standard remains active, it is revised/updated/amended whenever that is deemed necessary for it to continue to be appropriate/applicable in the current/'contemporary' setting. BS546 plugs/sockets are so relatively simple that I can well believe that, for very many years, it has not been considered necessary to revise the Standard to keep it appropriate for the current/'contemporary' setting.

Kind Regards, John

 

[BlueLoo]

You make it sound lot 'worse' than it is. The most recent Amendement to BS 546 was in 1989, long after 1950. None of the changes/updates to BS1363-1 and BS1363-2 in the past 30 years or so have had any material effect on basic plugs/sockets.
I don't really understand what you mean. So long as a Standard remains active, it is revised/updated/amended whenever that is deemed necessary for it to continue to be appropriate/applicable in the current/'contemporary' setting. BS546 plugs/sockets are so relatively simple that I can well believe that, for very many years, it has not been considered necessary to revise the Standard to keep it appropriate for the current/'contemporary' setting.

Kind Regards, John

According to Wiki:
Originally published in April 1934, it was updated by a 1950 edition which is still current,[1] with eight amendments up to 1999

Odd. The BS site has it as 1950 dead.

Anyway, you can't close a standard or withdraw it without good reason and clearly, there hasn't been one for 546, so it remains. However, technology has moved in and we now have the ubiquitous 13a plug.

I think the WIKI pages sums it up well:

BS 546 is also the precursor of current Indian and South African plug standards. The 5 A version has been designated as Type D and the 15 A as Type M in the IEC 60083 plugs and sockets standard. BS 546 plugs and sockets are still permitted in the UK, provided the socket has shutters. In the United Kingdom and in Ireland this system is usually referred to by its pin shape and is simply known as “round pin plugs” or “round pin sockets.” It is often associated with obsolete wiring installations or where it is found in modern wiring, it is confined to special use cases, particularly for switch controlled lamps and stage lighting

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

However, technology has moved in and we now have the ubiquitous 13a plug.

It is often associated with obsolete wiring installations or where it is found in modern wiring, it is confined to special use cases, particularly for switch controlled lamps and stage lighting

Correct - notice the word you used above 'ubiquitous'. In other words the 13amp in extremely common use - which is the essential point of having a rarely used alternative plug, which is the 5amp three pin plug for special purposes, so as to avoid mistakes in use. It's cheap and it works well, why should we not make use of it as we do for special purposes?

 

[BlueLoo]

Correct - notice the word you used above 'ubiquitous'. In other words the 13amp in extremely common use - which is the essential point of having a rarely used alternative plug, which is the 5amp three pin plug for special purposes, so as to avoid mistakes in use. It's cheap and it works well, why should we not make use of it as we do for special purposes?

Using a square hole for a round peg or vice versa is an age old hack. But it's a hack and isn't in itself a justification for it's use.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Using a square hole for a round peg or vice versa is an age old hack. But it's a hack and isn't in itself a justification for it's use.

Of course it is a valid method, how would you tackle the issue of making it obvious which of two possibles plugs goes where? Don't mention labelling, labels are not fool proof.

 

[BlueLoo]

Of course it is a valid method, how would you tackle the issue of making it obvious which of two possibles plugs goes where? Don't mention labelling, labels are not fool proof.

Haven't said it isn't valid.
Im saying its not a justification for their continued existence or use when other, better, more contemporary and established methods and practices exist.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Haven't said it isn't valid.
Im saying its not a justification for their continued existence or use when other, better, more contemporary and established methods and practices exist.

I see, you mean change for the sake of change.

 

[sparkwright]

There is absolutely nothing outdated or extinct or uncommon about 2 or 5 amp sockets - AFAIAC.

They are widely used for lighting such as table lamps controlled from a light switch, as you know.

They are frequently used in lofts where access to 13 amp socket wiring is awkward.

They are fool proof in that a regular 13 amp cannot be inserted, which is particularly good when the 2 or 5 amp sockets are on the lighting circuit intended for table lamps.

There is no good reason to discontinue them.

 

[plugwash]

Though I think it would make sense to revise the standard to make shuttering and pin insulation mandatory.

 

[BlueLoo]

Though I think it would make sense to revise the standard to make shuttering and pin insulation mandatory.

Hence the "outdated" nature of them....

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Though I think it would make sense to revise the standard to make shuttering and pin insulation mandatory.

I thought the shuttering was mandatory? I agree pn the pin sleeving, but it's less of a risk that the unsleeved 13amps we used to have, as they are placed out of reach of small fingers and not so 'ubiquitous' as the 13amp.

 

[sparkwright]

Plugwash - yes, I've just looked at my 5 amp sockets - I was surprised to see the 5 amp plugs (three of them, different makes) didn't have insulated pins.

 

[sparkwright]

Hence the "outdated" nature of them....

Yes, but even 13 amp sockets and plugs have been made safer.

!3 amp plugs later had insulated pins.

And now most 13 amp sockets are the standard modern size we now know.
If you consider the miniature, surface mounted ones everyone used to have on their skirting boards, if a plug was put in 'upside down' by just the earth pin, the shutters over the live and neutral holes would then open up.

These miniature sockets are only available now by MK, still in their mid 1970s style. (For some reason they never altered the basic design of these and shower pull cords.)

 

[sparkwright]

Just found another 5 amp socket and plug fitted here at home, both dating back to 1997. The Crabtree 5 amp plug does have insulated pins, the Crabtree socket clearly appears to have a working shutter mechanism.

On some NEWER Crabtree 5 amp sockets here, if they do have a working shutter mechanism, it's harder to spot. There is some sort of shutter over the holes, as detected by a cotton bud...