Adaptors

This page covers electrical adaptors that are common in the UK, as well as regions where British wiring is in use, such as Hong Kong. more...

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Modern British adaptors should always have shutters over the live and neutral holes. Whilst the lack of shutters is not in itself a significant danger for adults (babies with fingers small enough to fit into the holes are another matter), it can be taken as an indication that the adaptor is either very old or not made according to British Standards.

Adaptors for with UK equipment in the UK and Ireland

Doublers and triplers (common in both the UK and HK)

BS 1363 allows doublers to be unfused and in practice fused doublers are very rare. Therefore care should be taken to avoid overloading when using them. Triplers on the other hand are always fused so there is a fuse there to protect them if overloaded. In the photo the adaptor on the left is a tripler and the red fuse carrier can easily be seen. The adaptor on the right is a doubler and is clearly smaller as well as lacking the fuse.

Shaver adaptors (common in both the UK and HK)

The main purpose of these adaptor is to accept the 2 pin plugs of UK shavers, as marked on such adaptors. These adaptors usually have a 1 A or 2 A BS 646 or BS 1362 fuse. As well as the British Shaver plugs they are generally designed to accept Europlugs and American 2 pin plugs and sometimes Australian 2 pin plugs. In many cases Schuko and French plugs will also fit but there is no earth contact with such plugs. The current rating of the adaptor should also be considered before connecting equipment other than shavers.

Adaptors for with HK equipment in HK

This example from Fung Yip Electrical (Hong Kong) allows an equipment with BS546 five ampere plug to be used in a supply system with BS1363 sockets. They fully comply with BS1363 and BS546 standards, while the 5 A sockets are protected by a 5 A BS1362 fuse. In many cases Schuko and French plugs will also fit in the 5 A BS546 sockets (by opening the shutters by inserting a screwdriver into the earth hole) but there is no earth contact with such plugs.

Converter plugs

There are a special type of plug for conversion of appliances outside the UK/Hong Kong which are fitted with non-UK plugs. Unlike a travel adaptor these plugs when closed look fairly similar to normal plugs. Inside are two/three metal clips into which the metal ends of the non-UK plug pins are clipped. The body of the converter plug is shaped to grip the non-UK plug. The hinged lid is then shut to cover the connections to the europlug and is screwed shut. These plugs have a fuse (BS1362, can be up to 10 A) accessible from the outside and in some cases are fitted with screws that are made to be difficult to unscrew. These converters can be used with CEE7#, non-earthed Schuko, earthed Schuko, Euro transfromer, Euro 2-pin#, USA/PRC/ROC/Japan 2-pin# plugs. (From PowerConnections, Harlow, England)

Read more at Wikipedia.org