History of Shaver sockets

[BexleyBoy14]

Can anyone advise me approx when shaver sockets first appeared ?

I note that BS61558 (parts 2-5) defining shaver sockets is dated 1998.

Before that I think that BS3535 applied. Did sockets at that time have self resetting overload protection ? Was there a specification that limited the maximum VA (e.g. 20VA) ?

Thanks for any advice

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[Taylortwocities]

There's a clue here
(from Wikipedia, so treat with care!)

BS 4573 (1970), British Standard Specification for two-pin reversible plugs and shaver socket-outlets, British Standards Institution

 

[Paul_C]

There are references to the applicable standards in older editions of the Wiring Regs.

From the original 14th edition, 1966:

D.19 In a room containing a fixed bath or shower, electric shavers shall be connected only by means of a shaver supply unit complying with B.S. 3052. The earthing terminal of of the shaver supply unit shall be earthed in accordance with regulation D.20.

NOTE.- B.S. 3052 requires that the secondary circuit supplying the output sockets shall be isolated from the supply mains and from earth.

There's a further reference in the section on plugs & sockets in general:

F.7 Plugs & socket-outlets other than those complying with B.S. 1363, 2814, 546, 196, or 1778, may be used in low-voltage two-wire circuits - {.....}

(ii) for the connection of electric shavers, provided that the socket-outlets shall either be incorporated in a shaver supply unit complying with B.S. 3052 or, in rooms other than bathrooms, be of a type specified in B.S. 3052, be clearly marked with the words 'FOR SHAVERS ONLY', and be provided with a suitable current-limiting device which, if a fuse, shall comply with B.S. 646 or B.S. 1362 as appropriate and shall have a rating not exceeding 3 amperes.

But BS3052 was already in use during the 13th edition, and is referred to the equivalent regulation. There appears to be no equivalent of the 14th's Reg. F7(ii) in the 13th though.

BS 4573 (1970), British Standard Specification for two-pin reversible plugs and shaver socket-outlets, British Standards Institution

Which appeared in time to make it into the revised 14th edition of 1970. Note the change from the original edition regulation:

F.7 Plugs & socket-outlets other than those complying with B.S. 1363, 546, 196, 1778, or 4343, may be used in low-voltage two-wire circuits - {.....}

(ii) for the connection of electric shavers, provided that the socket-outlets shall either be incorporated in a shaver supply unit complying with B.S. 3052 or, in rooms other than bathrooms, be of a type complying with B.S. 4573.