BS 1363 plug adapters

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.

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, it can be taken as an indication that the adaptor is either very old or not made according to British Standards.

Adaptors for use 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. Current standards require triplers on the other hand to be fused so there is a fuse there to protect them if overloaded. Older triplers do not have a fuse. In the photo the adaptor on the left is a tripler and the red fuse carrier can easily be seen.

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 use 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 transformer, Euro 2-pin#, USA/PRC/ROC/Japan 2-pin# plugs. (From PowerConnections, Harlow, England)

Note: plugs marked with # above are common in Hong Kong.

Adaptors for visitors to the UK

Any adaptor for using a non-fused plug in BS1363 sockets MUST be fused with an appropriate ceramic bodied sand filled hrc fuse (ideally a BS1362 one). Note that the following adaptors fully comply with the British Standard BS1363.

The basic visitor adaptor (not seen in HK)

This is by far the most common and has a load of irregular shaped holes to allow a wide range of plugs. Plugs with an earth pin that fits into the adaptor will be earthed by these adaptors but Schuko and French plugs with their holes/clips will not.

UK-Schuko adaptors (not seen in HK)

Because of the desire to use equipment with the very common Schuko plug which cannot easily be earthed by a more general apaptor, specific adaptors with properly earthed Schuko sockets have been produced. However they are much less common than the basic visitors adaptor. A sample.

UK-USA Adaptor (not seen in HK)

These adaptors enable users from the United States to use their equipments in the UK.

UK-South Africa Adaptor (not seen in HK)

These adaptors enable users from South Africa (BS546 15 A plugs) to use their equipment in the UK. One sample can be obtained here. However, the legality of these adaptors in Hong Kong is questionable. From reference (1), it is stated that a 13 A adaptor having 15 A adaptor sockets is not allowed.

Adaptors for travelling from the UK

Adaptor set (common in the UK,HK and Ireland)

The following two adaptor types are often sold together as a pair with a shaped hard plastic tube to enclose the pins when the adaptors are being transported. Shapes of the socket part of the body vary by brand but the plug part nearly always has the shape of a Schuko plug. "Do not use in UK", "7.5AMP, 250V" are marked on such adaptors. Manufacturers claim that these adaptors fully comply with BS5733.

The Continental adaptor

This adaptor has round pins and is set up with earthing contacts for Schuko and French sockets they will mate with some other socket types but will not provide an earth in those sockets.

The intercontinental adaptor

This adaptor is usually based on approximately the same body design as the continental adaptor but has flat pins which are designed to move between two positions to fit American and Australian sockets. This adaptor does not provide an earth connection so should only be used with class 2 equipment. Also when using in American sockets care must be taken to ensure the appliance is suitable for 120 V power.

South-Africa UK Adaptor (not seen in HK)

These adaptors enables UK users to use their equipment in South Africa, where BS546 15 A sockets are used.

European visitors' adaptor (not seen in HK)

For overseas (including the United Kingdom) visitors to use their equipments where Schuko plug is used.

One-for-all adaptor (not seen in HK)

These adaptors allow UK travellers to plug directly into any electrical system worldwide.

Adaptors for travelling from Hong Kong (non-British Standard)

Besides the adaptor set (intercontinental+continental) mentioned above, some non-British Standard travel adaptors are available in Hong Kong. Travel adaptors which are designed for use outside Hong Kong are not regulated by the Electrical Products (Safety) Regulation. See this webpage of the Electrcial and Mechanical Services Department, Hong Kong Government for samples and usage advice of these adaptors. They have irregular "universal" socket holes and no fuse. Shutters are available in some, but not all, models.

However, if such non-BS adaptors have a BS1363-compatible plug, consumers are not encouraged to purchase and use them in Hong Kong. In Apliu Street, even one-for-all non-BS travellers' adaptor sets are sold, the UK-compatible plug is removed by dealers.

References

(1) p.64, Guidance Notes for the Electrical Products (Safety) Regulation (2001 Edition - with amendments), Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Hong Kong [1]

See also

• Domestic AC power plugs and sockets
• Common electrical plug and socket problems in Hong Kong
• BS 1363
• Technical standards in colonial Hong Kong