Non Standard UK Plugs & Sockets

A selection of non-standard UK plugs and sockets, based on BS1363 with various modifications to one or more pins.
Website: xo4.uk/?3ka

[@Mavermick1]

I'll never forget the first time I came across the plug at 6:20. I thought I had been drinking at first.

[@AndrewLumsden]

Britmac plugs were used extensively in government offices for computer equipment. They had D shaped earth pin. - rotated so the flat portion was at the top. - so that the cleaners couldn't plug in their hoovers etc. into the clean power supply intended for computer equipment. They were gradually phased out some years ago in favour of the everyday conventional plug and socket.

[@markhorton8578]

10.16 We had these put into the test areas of a factory where I worked, alongside normal sockets. They were for a "separate" low noise supply with a clean earth system, needed for precision analogue measurements.

[@KISSFanDan1995]

The UK plugs/sockets are way safer then the ones we have here in America. I like the shutters on the live and neutral.

[@meowingmono]

me too

[@liskaerik]

+KISSFanDan1995 We have "Tamper Resistant" outlets in the US too.

[@KISSFanDan1995]

I know that. But the we aren't required to have them like they do in the UK. I know that new/renovated houses here in the USA are required to have Tamper Resistant plugs but my apartment was built in the 1880's and refurbished in 2012 and it still has the standard 3-prong plug so this requirement must be pretty damn new.

[@magzire]

and they are simple to wire up

[@joemaldonado3]

you can now buy tamper resist USA plugs too.

[@suchcone]

Saw a Walsall gauge socket on the underground the other day and thought of this video, so giving it another watch! Enjoyable as always

[@ianharrison6597]

Thank You for this and your other videos. The most usual place in my experience for the 'Walsall Gauge' plug and socket, is on the London Underground on platforms and sometimes along corridors. Whether or not they are still fitted as standard on the LU, I don't know, but they certainly have quite a few around the network.

[@LectronCircuits]

Non-standard plugs & sockets are so much fun. Cheers!

[@PhilReynoldsLondonGeek]

The MK socket you show here is 2 pin shuttered, but the latest versions are 3 pin. A recent reported case of "stealing electricity" would have been prevented had non-standard sockets been fitted in the relevant location. That or a "not for public use" sign should be a requirement in premises (and on trains) to which the public have access.

[@cossiedriverrs]

The earth pin is longer, so that it is the LAST one disconnected when the plug is removed. Important when the switch is left on, or the socket is unswitched.

[@silasomondi7071]

Quite informative video. Just learnt the existence of a wide range of non standard plugs

[@bobbagum]

In my part of the world, where we use combinations of both us-styled flat prongs with mixture of some europlugs, the British plug is often employed in case where you don't want people to unplug or plug things in like in hospitals

[@RODALCO2007]

Great video John, Never knew that there were that many variations on the UK 13 Amp plugs.

[@theirisheditor]

Going by the internals of the rotated pin plug shown at 7:35, it appears that this plug has a potential safety issue. The live wire path appears longer than the earth and neutral wire paths, so it is plausible that tripping over the cable could lead to the earth and neutral wires pulling out and touching each other, while leaving the live wire attached. This situation would create a path from live through the appliance to the touching neutral-earth wires and in turn back to any exposed metal casing.

[@peterw4910]

I don't know why but I find these plug sockets fascinating. I never knew we had other plugs in the UK other that the standard ones.

[@VelvetCondoms]

I think the Walsall design is probably the best out of all of these. * It's cheaper to make than most of the other designs, since all 3 of the pin dimensions are identical to the standard British plug pins "so you can use interchangeable parts". * It's more incompatible than most of the other designs; since it's incompatible with all 3 pins, rather than just the 1 "which means that people won't damage the sockets and plugs trying to use incompatibles that aren't immediately obvious.". * It can accommodate double-hot configurations with relative ease, which is important in some industrial equipment. * It's a British standard, rather than a vendor-custom design. It's a shame that they're no longer made.

[@aaaaeeeeffffeeeekkkkssss]

Also it's funny when you first see one in the wild and think your high as F because all the pins are rotated 90 degrees. (referring to LiveStreamLMS's comment)

[@Replevideo]

The snag with the old round pin plugs was that the receptacle in the socket would often break in time after the effect of annealing wore off and the metal became brittle. The MK socket receptacles have flat strips of springy metal which have a much longer life.

[@vibraphonics]

I don't really experience ASMR but I reckon this video is pretty good for it

[@srfurley]

The Walsall Gauge ones were used for 55-0-55 V on the Victoria Line of the London Underground, some other lines had Reyrolle 15 A Bs 196-1961 type sockets, but both have been replaced by the normal 15 A 110V type, I forget the BS-EN number, now. The ILEA (Inner London Education Authority) also used them on Guitar amplifiers which they required be connected via isolating transformers which had these on their outputs. These were D.P fused types, but with the fuses replaced by solid copper links. The only place that I've seen the round earth pin type is in the terminal building of Newcastle airport; they were there about 20 years ago, and I noticed one still there about three months ago. The 'T' shape MK ones normally have two earth connections, one being a 'clean' one, often used for computer supplies. Croydon College had these at one time, but replaced the last of them more than ten years ago now. i never understood the purpose of this dual earthing thing.

[@BoomBoxDeluxe]

At 6:22 ....... YAAAAAY! :D The Walsall plug! I have been looking for one of these for sooo long now! I have checked a whole variety of electrical stockists, auction webbsites and.... Nothing. :-( I would like one of those so that I can add it into my PLUGS PLAYLIST on my channel. I have seen and looked inside one, and that was when I was on my PAT course. The lecturer had one and that's when I got the opportunity to examine one of those in detail. :-) I also know of the Walsall plug with the double-pole fusing in it. I noticed on your walsall plug that it has a more modern Walsall logo on it. The plug that the lecturer had at the college, that had a Walsall logo on it as like the one on the fuse in your plug. I generally refer to that styling of logo as the 'original' logo. :-) The plug with the round earth pin.... I have seen those before, and I have recently came across the plug that has the earth pin with radiused corners on it. I have also known about MK's T-pin plugs as well, and it's interesting that GET have started making sockets that are replicas of MK's T-pin sockets. If other manufacturers start making them as well, then there's a possibility that they'll no longer be a non-standard socket or plug.... They'll be everywhere, just like BS 1363, LMAO! Other types of non-standard plug that I know of are the Dorman Smith plugs and the 'Reyrolle' plug. (There were also 'industrial Reyrolle plugs which were a bit like the BS 4343 plugs, but for this discussion, I'll talk about the 'domestic-style' Reyrolle plugs) The DS plugs have all-round pins (but not of the diameters and pin separations associated with BS 546) and the Reyrolle plugs have an unusual setup where the fuse is INSIDE the live pin. The [dangerous] downside with the Reyrolle plugs is that the live pin is threaded and screws into the plug from the outside. These were known for working their way loose and sometimes upon pulling the plug out of the socket, the live pin would break away from the plug altogether, leaving a dangerously live threaded pin sticking out of the socket!! :-O Thanxx for showing, -BoomBoxDeluxe. _25th October 2014, 00.00_

[@MrBanzoid]

Hi JW. With reference to plugs with a round earth pin and one pin rotated by 45 degrees, many years ago the school I attended used these on the lab benches to supply 12V ac for microscope lamps and other low voltage devices.

[@sparkyprojects]

The shutter on modern MK plugs is only operated by the L&N pins, but both pins must be inserted, the shutter rotates MK apparently did a test with a room full of toddlers with metal knitting needles and a variety of (dead) sockets the toddlers were of course supervised, with other types of socket the toddlers managed to get needled in all pins once the earth was inserted, but none managed to get needles in live or neutral, so MK sockets are much safer.

[@giggitygoebbels3612]

***** Well some are still earth pin activated,for example the Slimline plus range.There is also a third kind(which is widely used in the modern Logic Plus,Metalclad plus,Albany plus,Aspect etc) which is both slanted upwards,but that is not available in my region so I don't know how they work. The only MK plugs I know that use the twisted non earth pin activated are the old ones,Avant series and some Asia-Only "G" series of Metalclad plus where the model number differs from the "K" series by the first letter(eg "G" variant of K2977 ALM is G2977 ALM).These Asia variant of Metalclads are based off Avant.However these "G" Metalclads only have 1 earth terminal at the back instead of 2 found on the K series.

[@Brianck1971]

+Sparky Projects That never really happened.

[@alerighi]

But not requiring to insert the earth pin first could cause stupid people to force european plugs into UK plugs, and that is particulary dangerous with schuko plugs that have the pins not insulated

[@Deebz270]

I wonder if those toddlers are still alive.... Teaching toddlers to poke knitting needles and other sharp metallic objects into sockets (even non-live ones) sounds a bit a stupid idea to me... Oh and all my MK plugs and other makes all operate the socket shutters with *all three pins.*

[@hajow9303]

You tell a very useful story but I cannot unsee the fact that you look like the News Anchor from The Muppet Show

[@FSCforal]

at my old school in the workshops we had the wallsall gauge sockets and plugs in fact their still in operation !

[@rich1051414]

3:10 that is a fairly standard plug to find on 220 mains in the US. Another common one is 3 flat pins oriented in a triangle fashion. These plugs are usually(and should be) fused.

[@tinytonymaloney7832]

Used to install the Walsall Gauge sockets on Sainsbury jobs, in their cash office and I think possibly under the checkout stages in the 1980s, basically to stop anybody plugging anything else in. I also recall them circuits being a 'clean earth' and had a dedicated distribution board. In the days of supermarkets shutting at 5pm and opening at 9am, no Sunday opening. How did we manage back then?

[@AlexanderKrivacsSchrder]

Drinking game: Have a shot every time JW says "obviously." For extra difficulty, also have a shot for each "of course." Good luck!

[@garethatkinson7765]

oh here and there jesus.

[@ramunasgudauskas7582]

2:00 , out of vodka , cant walk to the shop to get more.

[@baylessnow]

Alexander Krivacs Schroder: Typical yank (I assume) turning a perfectly good British pastime into a game. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX-smXeql5aana8

[@PeterGaunt]

There are, or certainly used to be, Walsall plugs or something similar to them on London Underground stations. The school I worked at bought a whole load of them to teach kids (yikes!) how to wire plugs. Mostly the kids didn't notice until they tried to push them into the lab sockets at which point they went 'Oh!'.

[@TheColinputer]

Few years back when i went to the UK and stayed in this motel they had one of those odd plugs ( think it was the second one with round earth pin). They only had like 1 normal outlet and all the others for the TV, Fridge etc were the odd one. I ended up going to i think it was Maplan and getting the plug for it and making my own adapter. Joke was on the Motel then lol. IN Australia i dont know of any different types being used. We tend to just have sockets with key switches on them for cleaners outlets in shopping malls or other communal areas.

[@johnferguson4989]

3:00 plug looks similar to North America 220 volt 15 amp for window air con, saw etc.

[@LittleRichard1988]

Legrand manufacture a "twist in" keyhole type plug and socket typically used in shops for tills and EPOS systems. These plugs and sockets are also known as Electrax plugs and sockets because they are branded Electrax even though they are made by Legrand. Weather or not Electrax was an independent brand bought by Legrand I don't know.

[@antonyharding5360]

Love it John... Beats the rubbish on TV...

[@craigwelsh]

Accidentally bought a couple of those Get/Schneider sockets with T shaped earth last week by mistake. Seems they're mainly used where a clean earth is required. I'd just wanted a normal socket with neon switches :)

[@johnny45irish]

The Walsall Gauge 13A sockets are still in use on some parts of the London underground for the 110v system. I've spotted a few on my travels but I've no idea if any of them are functional, as most look terribly old.

[@staticfanatic6361]

About 10 years ago several events occurred with patient EKG leads being plugged into power cables. Because of this, the whole medical industry changed over to female terminated EKG leads to prevent this from happening. Was there a seminal event like this that caused the implementation of shutters on the line and neutral sockets? In the US these are available but not considered a standard socket. They can be purchased for children's rooms or a place that this might be occupied by children.

[@JohnGotts]

I enjoyed watching this video. In the US you only see non-standard plugs in your house where 220 is needed, such as your dryer; in factories; and perhaps in hospitals. Electricity is cheap here and freely shared, for the most part. If you talk back to the cops they can give you a ticket for charging your phone in a public place but this is rarely enforced. At apartments where I've lived I've used outlets in the hallways when needed. It all comes down to this: Are you being a jerk or do you have a temporary need for a few cents worth of electricty? It's something we pay no notice to.

[@Mark1024MAK]

They are not always used to prevent electricity theft. Instead they were often used to ensure filtered/UPS or "clean earth" supply points could not be used by non-computer equipment.

[@alec4672]

Try going through the plugs on a split phase system. The us has hundreds of plugs, not just for industrial use common to see them around the home

[@dimitriderop8822]

What about the BS 546, which you see still in hotels?

[@MagikGimp]

I had no idea about these but it makes perfect sense. Silly cleaners! :D

[@nostalgeek2872]

Seriously, I wonder what the point of having so many different sockets and plugs could be, and for what uses and/or devices ?

[@KiJiHoon]

This is like ASMR for me

[@jusb1066]

There is a further variant, is or was used by british rail, with only a rotated earth pin compared to the standard uk plug, Luckily we dont go back to the 1950's and before with the myriad of plugs there used to be!

[@heavydiesel]

Seen one with all round pins, may have been 15A as think it was for a welder.

[@dalriada842]

+heavydiesel Sounds like the large BS 546 plug.

[@TheWacoKid1963]

+heavydiesel Sounds more like the predecessor of the modern standard 3 pin plug.

[@dalriada842]

TheWacoKid1963 The 15A version of the BS546 plug, is the predecessor of the modern plug, though it doesn't contain a fuse. It's otherwise known as the Type M.

[@dalriada842]

***** Yeah, they achieved independence just as Britain adopted our current rectangular-pin plug design. I personally prefer the round pins on the older plug.

[@cloroxbleach1200]

+dalriada842 Actually they look really horrible and I prefer the straight pin ones

[@vqey2]

RPP Redditch plastic products from city electrical factors

[@KingOfKYA]

IN us data centers at lest you can get an even stranger assortment of plugs. www.stayonline.com/power-ac-adapters.aspx What really frustrating is how simmaler most of the twistlock styles are. some are for 208V 105V 20 30amp 2/3/4phase etc.

[@TheManLab7]

The only ones I’ve ever seen are the M.K. ones, even though I’m a sparky. The only round pin ones I’ve even used are 15A (which I’ve used for par cans) and 5A which I’ve used for general lighting round peoples big houses. Its not “get”, its pronounced G.E.T.

[@joinedupjon]

The Walsall is the one I think I've noticed most often, so I'm surprised it's no longer produced. I'm not sure how the horizontal earth pin generates enough vertical throw to unshutter the L&N... Is there a fancy mechanism in the Walsall sockets?

[@TheChipmunk2008]

Probably a bit late to this party but the slope of the 'earth end of the shutter assembly' could be shallower, thus requiring more force over a shorter distance? I'm tempted to buy a pair on ebay when they come up just to see the answer!

[@johndododoe1411]

It's the same pin as the regular one, only angled differently. Anyway, many continental sockets have shutters that open when applying equal pressure on live and neutral, but not on any one hole (not even the earth hole).

[@waldenhouse]

So what’s the opinion in the end? Bring back round pin 15A circuits? (Seen lots and lots of floor sockets especially in the multi IT world which were all sorts of oddments, and in metal casings walked on every day!!)

[@SkuldChan42]

Its kinda funny, but in the US - in hospitals or anywhere someone doesn't want people to remove the plug they just put a locking mechanism over the wall socket - which is standard plug (nema 5-15).

[@JohnDoe-qx3zs]

Problem is that doing so will slow down the crash team rushing in to revive a patient. With a mechanically odd socket reserved at every bedside and a matching plug on the code blue cart, they won't waste a precious second finding or unlocking a socket.

[@andrewschannel3635]

Tell us about 5 amp round pin plugs and sockets

[@ParedCheese]

And "15A" ones, too. My grandparents house had both. She also had a bayonet light socket to 5A socket adapter she pluuged into a ceiling light socket to run her electric clothes iron! :)

[@judenihal]

No its the Singapore Plug!

[@ProckerDark]

we use the UK socket standard in my country, my question is is there a UK socket that can handle more than 13 amps for like air conditioning or water heaters that consume more than 13 amps, is there a standard UK socket for these applications that require high current?

[@jwflame]

Not for homes - higher powered items are wired in permanently.

[@AndrewLumsden]

Not unless you go for the "commando" type. These are rated at 16 or 32 amps also 64 amp 3 phase. They do not have fuses within them and are more for industrial use rather than a domestic setting.

[@Deebz270]

Time for some more elevator reviews, methinks.

[@jamesingham]

John, what are your thoughts on those pointless "safety covers" that you will often find in stores across the UK. I've always thought they were a waste of money and potentially dangerous but quite a lot of people (normally with kids) don't seem to care!

[@jwflame]

***** They are useless at best, and in other cases dangerous. Completely unnecessary as all BS1363 sockets have shutters built in. Plenty of the covers don't fit the socket properly and can be removed by the very children they are trying to 'protect'. The child then has a piece of plastic which they can shove into the socket to open the built in shutters.

[@jamesingham]

***** Exactly my thoughts. My main concern with them are that they can easily be snapped when plugging in upside down which will cause the shutters to open as you said. I recently went to a hospital and saw them all over the place. I can't believe that they are allowed to be sold to be honest.

[@JRJ1979]

So if I want to plug my vacuum cleaner in on the common areas and/or instead of someone's heart/lung machine, practically all I have to do is saw off the earth pin on my plug? That seems easy.

[@steve87uk]

Then the shutter wont open.

[@joemaldonado3]

we have this issue here in the USA....

[@pantyflash]

Like, wonderful plugs. Where can folks buy these? Cheers!

[@PhilReynoldsLondonGeek]

Other than the MK T-earth type, are there any non-standard sockets that have three-pin shuttering?

[@jwflame]

Not that I am aware of - only BS1363 specifically requires shutters, and the non-standard ones don't comply with that so shutters are not required.

[@dasy2k1]

Dosn't the round pin one simply use the earth pin from BS546?

[@jwflame]

Yes, same size.

[@jones7572]

GOOD JOB!

[@llVIU]

but why so many types?

[@jonathanboyd4017]

Ap 13 wh plug. See them used on computers

[@simdude2u]

What stops someone from breaking off the ground pin?

[@jwflame]

simdude2u It could be broken off, but that would be very difficult, and there is still the issue of the shutters in the socket which would have to be opened by using some other tool in the earth hole of the socket. All possible but unlikely anyone would do that.

[@okaro6595]

Normally at that point you know you are doing something wrong and should stop. This is no different that what prevents you from opening a door with a crowbar. The idea is that for example a hospital cleaner does snot put his or her machine on sockets reserved for medical equipment. Breaking the earth pin would be pure vandalism. Also it is solid metal. I think US earth pins are hollow. Incidentally in Finland we do not have different sockets. We rely on labeling the sockets.

[@m101ist]

And why would you want to break the earth pin. 😳

[@krnlg]

Interesting!

[@martinxXsuto]

dumb question: do 3 phase plugs exist in the UK?

[@jwflame]

+Agent Double O Marin Yes, they are the round red CEE type with either 4 or 5 pins.

[@garethatkinson7765]

+John Ward or 6 with a pilot. in fact I'd love a video on the pilot feature.

[@safakfrank3776]

hi.. can you help me please? i want to buy something from ebay .. the description says: 100 watt, 220-240V, eu plug in. while i checked the phone charger i use in my country and it says: input: 100-240V, 50/60hz, 0.3 A. so can i buy that product? will it work in my country ?

[@jwflame]

The charger is designed to work in virtually any country. The 220-240V item will only work in countries with that voltage.

[@safakfrank3776]

+John Ward thank you .. and have a nice day !

[@theoldaccidontuseanymore696]

Depending on what country you live in, as North America and Japan use 110V, while Europe and some Asian countries have 220-250V.

[@Arexa852]

Gabriel

[@jhbur558]

Do these actually comply with BS1363?

[@jwflame]

No, although the designs are all based on BS1363, they do not comply due to one or more of the 'non-standard- features.

[@jhbur558]

John Ward Thanks

[@backfisch6869]

why are fuses in uk plugs?

[@jwflame]

Socket outlets / receptacles are typically connected to 32 amp circuits, the fuses in the plug allow much smaller flex sizes to be used for appliances.

[@backfisch6869]

thanks

[@josephfrye7342]

see what i meant and oh look excellent perfect example!.

[@scotsguy77]

My friend bought me an Oral B electric tootbrush in Germany. Can I use it here in the U. K. if I buy a Euro to U.K. Adapter. Thank you.

[@jwflame]

+scotsguy77 Yes, voltage and frequency are the same throughout Europe.

[@scotsguy77]

+John Ward Thank you John. Another question if I may. I take it you can charge a mobile phone with a U. K. to Euro adapter. Can you use a hairdryer with the adapter also?

[@mrnadeemseth]

Hi JW, very nice and informative videos you have. I had a question, I am recently looking to buy a microwave oven, when looking at the data sheet it states that it comes with a 16 AMP plug, would this be ok to plug into the normal 13 AMP socket or does it need some special wiring. Here is the link to the microwave I would like to buy www.hotpoint.co.uk/h/cooking/compacts/hotpoint-class-6-mp-676-ix-h-built-in-microwave-stainless-steel/f096684 Really would appreciate if you could help me out. Thanks in advance.

[@jwflame]

Unclear from the information - in places it states 16A, other parts have 'plug type: UK' and diagrams of it being plugged in. Very likely it's supplied with a 13 UK plug, the 16A reference is often put in because that is what it would be connected to throughout Europe.

[@mrnadeemseth]

@@jwflame Thank you for your help, much appreciated.

[@kevindt100]

Wow post people in this country dont even use a plug thay just use calbels in a socket

[@RobertSmith-di5ll]

But why

[@m101ist]

That is the question? Non standard and standard plugs. 😳

[@boopisnaten5538]

Why is this in my feed

[@bmaj55]

goofy ahh plugs

[@ellenorbjornsdottir1166]

don't use your initials, it sounds like you're making a religious declaration that is probably inaccurate.

[@ellenorbjornsdottir1166]

Andy Merrett Because I don't like religious institutions that have been accused of all kinds of nasty.

[@fa.h.]

I think the EU plug (the german one) an socket is better than UK or US one

[@fa.h.]

they are safe. you have to put in two pins at the same time for example. the earth is in contact before the pins, you can put it in both ways and still work exactly the same. I dunno what you meen with sleeved pins, but english isnt my first language. and saudi arabia is a shit country (or shit goverment at least) so that does not matter. give me a valid reason why they arent safe or arent good, because you have not done that yet but nothig is as crap as the american or some of the asian ones.

[@BenjaminGoose]

+Louisoft01 Schuko has shutters. It requires both pins to be inserted at the same time. Due to the design of the sockets you don't need sleeved pins.

[@fa.h.]

BenjaminGoose was sleeved pins that the metal is only at the tip of the pins and not the hole ting? If yes, that's correct. Louisoft01​ haven't said one single reason why UK blurs are better. But I have said one reason that is better with the schuko ones, that you can put it in both ways.

[@louisoft01]

yes

[@dominicthoma9008]

+Louisoft01 i think the schuko / and the uk one are the best (my opinion) and i thinks you learned it since you are a little child to NOT put something into electric socket (i hope you learned it )

[@dnb5661]

You think you have a lot of types, just look at America.

[@grahampinkerton2091]

Jesus Christ! Why cant you have in the UK ONE Standard plug and socket like they do in Germany and Austria? I´m not boasting but they are much better and safer. There was always an issue about a lot of different plugs since i dont know when in the uk

[@kevinshort3943]

Graham Pinkerton "Why cant you have in the UK ONE Standard plug and socket" We do. "I´m not boasting but they are much better and safer. " No they are not. "There was always an issue about a lot of different plugs since i dont know when in the uk" Non standard plugs and sockets are normally used to stop a socket being used for a purpose it's not intended. eg: the cleaner plugging their hoover into the nice clean server supply and crashing the farm!!

[@kierankay100]

the rpp is commonly used in theatre lighting well old theatre lighting but the live and neutral are also round pins

[@eddiewillers1]

Still in use, I think. Mind you, when I worked in theatre, the lighting patch-panels were still two-pin Bulgin connectors - we didn't get IE-85 three-pin until the mid 1980s!