Re: [PSES] UK plug adaptors with fuse?
John W Thanks, and, now that you have reminded me, I do seem to remember BS1363-5 (but, TBH, I haven’t been taking a great interest in the evolution of standards over the last few years, having retired in 2015! 😊). So as John Woodgate has now pointed out to me, the correct standard for such adapters is BS 1363-5:2016 “13 A plugs, socket-outlets, adaptors and connection units. Specification for fused conversion plugs” – and, again, a good summary of the scope & contents can be found on the ANSI webstore here https://webstore.ansi.org/preview-pages/BSI/preview_30391432.pdf Apologies for the error of omission! John E Allen W. London, UK From: John Woodgate Sent: 28 April 2022 11:31 To: john_e_al...@blueyonder.co.uk Subject: Re: [PSES] UK plug adaptors with fuse? That standard is indeed withdrawn and should not be used. BS 1363-5 is valid. == Best wishes John Woodgate OOO-Own Opinions Only www.woodjohn.uk <http://www.woodjohn.uk> Rayleigh, Essex UK Istae nunc praetereunt nisi non ubicumque On 2022-04-28 11:14, John E Allen wrote: Morning AFAIK, the most appropriate British Standard would appear to be: BS8546: 2016 “Travel adaptors compatible with UK plug and socket system. Specification” https://shop.bsigroup.com/products/travel-adaptors-compatible-with-uk-plug-and-socket-system-specification-1/standard There is a confusing reference to “Withdrawn” on that webpage, but I don’t think that it has been! It also incorporates by Normative reference a very large number of other BSS as here: https://shop.bsigroup.com/products/travel-adaptors-compatible-with-uk-plug-and-socket-system-specification-1/standard/details The most detailed description of the scope of that standard that I could find quickly seems to be here on the ANSI webstore: https://webstore.ansi.org/preview-pages/BSI/preview_30377194.pdf On a more general level, BS 5733: 2010 “General requirements for electrical accessories - specification (+A1:2014)” https://shop.bsigroup.com/products/general-requirements-for-electrical-accessories-specification/standard is used to assess many types of “electrical accessories” such as cable extension sockets and “plug-in accessories”, and, again, implements by Normative reference other BSS to cover specific aspects of design & construction. Again, the ANSI webstore site gives helpful detail, https://webstore.ansi.org/preview-pages/BSI/preview_30288272.pdf Obviously you can buy elsewhere, including BSI’s own website here https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/standards/! John E Allen W. London, UK From: Kim Boll Jensen <mailto:199f0011b1e3-dmarc-requ...@listserv.ieee.org> <199f0011b1e3-dmarc-requ...@listserv.ieee.org> Sent: 27 April 2022 12:46 To: EMC-PSTC@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG <mailto:EMC-PSTC@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG> Subject: [PSES] UK plug adaptors with fuse? Hi We have been checking several travel adopters for importers here in EU, but we have to fail nearly all of them. One big issue is the UK plug. As I understand they shall comply with BS 1363-3. And in this standard §12.4 e) there is a requirement for BS 1363 or BS 643 fuses. Some adapters have an 5x20 IEC fuse some have thermo fuses and many have no fuse at all. Do I overlook some exceptions or new requirements, that allows adaptors without BS fuse, or are they all just "normal" Asian low quality? Med venlig hilsen / Best regards, Kim Boll Jensen Bolls Aps 22 99 69 91 - This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to mailto:emc-p...@ieee.org> > All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieee-pses.org/emc-pstc.html Attachments are not permitted but the IEEE PSES Online Communities site at http://product-compliance.oc.ieee.org/ can be used for graphics (in well-used formats), large files, etc. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ Instructions: http://www.ieee-pses.org/list.html (including how to unsubscribe) <http://www.ieee-pses.org/list.html> List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas mailto:sdoug...@ieee.org> > Mike Cantwell mailto:mcantw...@ieee.org> > For policy questions, send mail to: Jim Bacher mailto:j.bac...@ieee.org> > David Heald mailto:dhe...@gmail.com> > - This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to mailto:emc-p...@ieee.org> > All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieee-pses.org/emc-pstc.html Attach
Re: [PSES] UK plug adaptors with fuse?
Morning AFAIK, the most appropriate British Standard would appear to be: BS8546: 2016 “Travel adaptors compatible with UK plug and socket system. Specification” https://shop.bsigroup.com/products/travel-adaptors-compatible-with-uk-plug-and-socket-system-specification-1/standard There is a confusing reference to “Withdrawn” on that webpage, but I don’t think that it has been! It also incorporates by Normative reference a very large number of other BSS as here: https://shop.bsigroup.com/products/travel-adaptors-compatible-with-uk-plug-and-socket-system-specification-1/standard/details The most detailed description of the scope of that standard that I could find quickly seems to be here on the ANSI webstore: https://webstore.ansi.org/preview-pages/BSI/preview_30377194.pdf On a more general level, BS 5733: 2010 “General requirements for electrical accessories - specification (+A1:2014)” https://shop.bsigroup.com/products/general-requirements-for-electrical-accessories-specification/standard is used to assess many types of “electrical accessories” such as cable extension sockets and “plug-in accessories”, and, again, implements by Normative reference other BSS to cover specific aspects of design & construction. Again, the ANSI webstore site gives helpful detail, https://webstore.ansi.org/preview-pages/BSI/preview_30288272.pdf Obviously you can buy elsewhere, including BSI’s own website here https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/standards/! John E Allen W. London, UK From: Kim Boll Jensen <199f0011b1e3-dmarc-requ...@listserv.ieee.org> Sent: 27 April 2022 12:46 To: EMC-PSTC@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG Subject: [PSES] UK plug adaptors with fuse? Hi We have been checking several travel adopters for importers here in EU, but we have to fail nearly all of them. One big issue is the UK plug. As I understand they shall comply with BS 1363-3. And in this standard §12.4 e) there is a requirement for BS 1363 or BS 643 fuses. Some adapters have an 5x20 IEC fuse some have thermo fuses and many have no fuse at all. Do I overlook some exceptions or new requirements, that allows adaptors without BS fuse, or are they all just "normal" Asian low quality? Med venlig hilsen / Best regards, Kim Boll Jensen Bolls Aps 22 99 69 91 - This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to mailto:emc-p...@ieee.org> > All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieee-pses.org/emc-pstc.html Attachments are not permitted but the IEEE PSES Online Communities site at http://product-compliance.oc.ieee.org/ can be used for graphics (in well-used formats), large files, etc. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ Instructions: http://www.ieee-pses.org/list.html (including how to unsubscribe) <http://www.ieee-pses.org/list.html> List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas mailto:sdoug...@ieee.org> > Mike Cantwell mailto:mcantw...@ieee.org> > For policy questions, send mail to: Jim Bacher mailto:j.bac...@ieee.org> > David Heald mailto:dhe...@gmail.com> > - This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieee-pses.org/emc-pstc.html Attachments are not permitted but the IEEE PSES Online Communities site at http://product-compliance.oc.ieee.org/ can be used for graphics (in well-used formats), large files, etc. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ Instructions: http://www.ieee-pses.org/list.html (including how to unsubscribe) List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas Mike Cantwell For policy questions, send mail to: Jim Bacher: David Heald:
Re: [PSES] UK plug adaptors with fuse?
Travel adapters are rarely certified. The problem is that the plug must comply with a country national standard, while the receptacle must comply with a different country national standard. A certification house (or manufacturer) rarely is qualified for certifying a plug or receptacle to a country national standard different than its local country. The UK power distribution system is a “ring” system. As such, the plug must contain fuses to protect the local load. An adapter should be fused. Whether the fuse is IEC 5x20 mm, BS1363, or BS643 is inconsequential as the adapter is not likely to be certified. The fuse is for safety, not certification, so any fuse (with the correct rating) should be acceptable to you. Many of us don’t have this adapter problem as we use detachable cords. The cord we provide has the correct country plug on the cord. Best regards, Rich From: MIKE SHERMAN Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2022 12:21 PM To: EMC-PSTC@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG Subject: Re: [PSES] UK plug adaptors with fuse? I've used Power Connections products for years: https://www.powerconnections.co.uk/ They may have something for you, or might be able to point you in the right direction. There seem to be endless unapproved "travel adaptors" available, but relatively few seem to have any certifications. What is an acceptable occasional risk for a tourist may not be an acceptable risk for a manufacturer to ship with their product. As I recall, the Swiss also have a specific certification standard they require for plug adaptors. The Swiss regulators have been very helpful to me in the past in understanding these requirements. Mike Sherman Sherman PSC LLC On 04/27/2022 6:46 AM Kim Boll Jensen <199f0011b1e3-dmarc-requ...@listserv.ieee.org <mailto:199f0011b1e3-dmarc-requ...@listserv.ieee.org> > wrote: Hi We have been checking several travel adopters for importers here in EU, but we have to fail nearly all of them. One big issue is the UK plug. As I understand they shall comply with BS 1363-3. And in this standard §12.4 e) there is a requirement for BS 1363 or BS 643 fuses. Some adapters have an 5x20 IEC fuse some have thermo fuses and many have no fuse at all. Do I overlook some exceptions or new requirements, that allows adaptors without BS fuse, or are they all just "normal" Asian low quality? Med venlig hilsen / Best regards, Kim Boll Jensen Bolls Aps 22 99 69 91 - This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieee-pses.org/emc-pstc.html Attachments are not permitted but the IEEE PSES Online Communities site at http://product-compliance.oc.ieee.org/ can be used for graphics (in well-used formats), large files, etc. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ Instructions: http://www.ieee-pses.org/list.html (including how to unsubscribe) List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas Mike Cantwell For policy questions, send mail to: Jim Bacher: David Heald:
Re: [PSES] UK plug adaptors with fuse?
I've used Power Connections products for years: https://www.powerconnections.co.uk/ They may have something for you, or might be able to point you in the right direction. There seem to be endless unapproved "travel adaptors" available, but relatively few seem to have any certifications. What is an acceptable occasional risk for a tourist may not be an acceptable risk for a manufacturer to ship with their product. As I recall, the Swiss also have a specific certification standard they require for plug adaptors. The Swiss regulators have been very helpful to me in the past in understanding these requirements. Mike Sherman Sherman PSC LLC > On 04/27/2022 6:46 AM Kim Boll Jensen > <199f0011b1e3-dmarc-requ...@listserv.ieee.org> wrote: > > > Hi > > We have been checking several travel adopters for importers here in EU, > but we have to fail nearly all of them. > > One big issue is the UK plug. As I understand they shall comply with BS > 1363-3. And in this standard §12.4 e) there is a requirement for BS 1363 or > BS 643 fuses. > > Some adapters have an 5x20 IEC fuse some have thermo fuses and many have > no fuse at all. > > Do I overlook some exceptions or new requirements, that allows adaptors > without BS fuse, or are they all just "normal" Asian low quality? > > Med venlig hilsen / Best regards, > > Kim Boll Jensen > Bolls Aps > 22 99 69 91 > - > > > This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc > discussion list. To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to > mailto:emc-p...@ieee.org > > > All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: > http://www.ieee-pses.org/emc-pstc.html > > Attachments are not permitted but the IEEE PSES Online Communities site > at http://product-compliance.oc.ieee.org/ can be used for graphics (in > well-used formats), large files, etc. > > Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ > Instructions: http://www.ieee-pses.org/list.html (including how to > unsubscribe) http://www.ieee-pses.org/list.html > List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html > > For help, send mail to the list administrators: > Scott Douglas mailto:sdoug...@ieee.org > > Mike Cantwell mailto:mcantw...@ieee.org > > > For policy questions, send mail to: > Jim Bacher mailto:j.bac...@ieee.org > > David Heald mailto:dhe...@gmail.com > > - This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieee-pses.org/emc-pstc.html Attachments are not permitted but the IEEE PSES Online Communities site at http://product-compliance.oc.ieee.org/ can be used for graphics (in well-used formats), large files, etc. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ Instructions: http://www.ieee-pses.org/list.html (including how to unsubscribe) List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas Mike Cantwell For policy questions, send mail to: Jim Bacher: David Heald:
[PSES] UK plug adaptors with fuse?
Hi We have been checking several travel adopters for importers here in EU, but we have to fail nearly all of them. One big issue is the UK plug. As I understand they shall comply with BS 1363-3. And in this standard §12.4 e) there is a requirement for BS 1363 or BS 643 fuses. Some adapters have an 5x20 IEC fuse some have thermo fuses and many have no fuse at all. Do I overlook some exceptions or new requirements, that allows adaptors without BS fuse, or are they all just "normal" Asian low quality? Med venlig hilsen / Best regards, Kim Boll Jensen Bolls Aps 22 99 69 91 - This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieee-pses.org/emc-pstc.html Attachments are not permitted but the IEEE PSES Online Communities site at http://product-compliance.oc.ieee.org/ can be used for graphics (in well-used formats), large files, etc. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ Instructions: http://www.ieee-pses.org/list.html (including how to unsubscribe) List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas Mike Cantwell For policy questions, send mail to: Jim Bacher: David Heald: