UK Legal Details - Sockets - Where is the requirement for separate socket earths to be linked?

[wilmer000]

I have come across a double socket where the earth terminations aren't linked together - Is this illegal (and what regulation do i look at?) or is it allowed, and I just put the loop-earth in one termination and join the unearthed socket with a length of Earth conductor?

 

[wilmer000]

The law is not as specific as to give the level of detail you seek.
The EHSR’s of the law merely require the product to be safe.
A BS is not law and is not mandatory.
However deviations from a BS would mean that the manufacturers would have to be able to justify the same or greater safety than afforded by following the relevant BS product standards.
(much simplified explanation)

That's the trouble I have. It seems to comply with the standard (so long as the instructions are good enough to meet the lab's interpretation of the cl4 requirement "minimizes the risk of danger to the user or the surroundings") but I don't know the law/regulations well enough to say if this would fall illegal under the EHSRs on its own. I can check the LVD, but don't know if there is anything similar in the Part P or or other regs that would forbid this arrangement. [edit: sorry, you do clearly state the EHSRs require the product to be safe - - if there any laws other than the LVD/LV Safety Regs/plug and socket regs, could you point me to them please?)

 

[DPG]

That's the trouble I have. It seems to comply with the standard (so long as the instructions are good enough to meet the lab's interpretation of the cl4 requirement "minimizes the risk of danger to the user or the surroundings") but I don't know the law/regulations well enough to say if this would fall illegal under the EHSRs on its own. I can check the LVD, but don't know if there is anything similar in the Part P or or other regs that would forbid this arrangement.

I'm not sure it complies with the British Standard does it?

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Plugs and sockets outlets are excluded from the LVD, because the standards to which they are made are national, not harmonised. I am not sure (but we should probably find out) how the LVD applies to a socket outlet with integral electronics, such that the electronics lie within the scope of the LVD. There is this: Announcement: server inaccessibility - European Commission - http://ec.europa.eu/DocsRoom/documents/20341 but I can't access it at the moment because the Europa site is down. It might only concern plug-in devices, I can't recall.

Part P doesn't care a jot how the terminals on a socket outlet are arranged. It is a building regulation that obliges installers to comply with BS7671 in order to also comply with building regs, and to notify and certify certain works. It does not apply at all in many locations. BS7671 does not itself explicitly require socket outlets to be made to BS1363, however any alternative would be expected to achieve the same level of safety and it would be an uphill struggle to demonstrate how a socket not made in compliance with that standard would do so, in a UK domestic environment.

Who has a copy (or sight of a copy) of BS1363?

 

[DPG]

Plugs and sockets outlets are excluded from the LVD, because the standards to which they are made are national, not harmonised. I am not sure (but we should probably find out) how the LVD applies to a socket outlet with integral electronics, such that the electronics lie within the scope of the LVD. There is this: Announcement: server inaccessibility - European Commission - http://ec.europa.eu/DocsRoom/documents/20341 but I can't access it at the moment because the Europa site is down. It might only concern plug-in devices, I can't recall.

Part P doesn't care a jot how the terminals on a socket outlet are arranged. It is a building regulation that obliges installers to comply with BS7671 in order to also comply with building regs, and to notify and certify certain works. It does not apply at all in many locations. BS7671 does not itself explicitly require socket outlets to be made to BS1363, however any alternative would be expected to achieve the same level of safety and it would be an uphill struggle to demonstrate how a socket not made in compliance with that standard would do so, in a UK domestic environment.

Who has a copy (or sight of a copy) of BS1363?

Hopefully someone does. I'd put a fiver on this socket not meeting BS1363 requirements. And I'm tight!

 

[Avo Mk8]

With my regulatory hat on ........
The UK 'law' on plugs and sockets is implemented through Statutory Instrument 1768, "The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations"

The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994

These Regulations re–enact with modifications the provisions of the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/603) and make provision for the first time for certain requirements to be satisfied in relation to appliances.

www.legislation.gov.uk

This specifically requires socket outlets to comply with BS1363-2 plus amendments.
The standard defines not only construction requirements but also the plethora of tests that must pass for the design to be approved.
It requires products to be tested and approved (type testing) by an accredited test house, to the standard, before they are put on the market, and requires marking on the product to identify the test house to show compliance.

It is not permitted to CE mark plugs and sockets (now going to be UKCA since Brexit), 'self declaration' is not allowed for plugs and sockets, so the only legitimate route to market is through notified body testing.

The Socket under discussion has a spurious CE mark. I didn't see the mark of an accredited test house anywhere, and as Lucien commented on the 'instructions', I don't think any test house would have passed the instruction leaflet anyway.

I don't believe there is anything specific in BS1363-2 to say that multiple earth terminals must be connected (I could be wrong), so that doesn't help the cause, but it is plain that supplying these things is against regulations, so I believe Trading Standards could take action.

 

[DPG]

With my regulatory hat on ........
The UK 'law' on plugs and sockets is implemented through Statutory Instrument 1768, "The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations"

The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994

These Regulations re–enact with modifications the provisions of the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/603) and make provision for the first time for certain requirements to be satisfied in relation to appliances.

www.legislation.gov.uk

This specifically requires socket outlets to comply with BS1363-2 plus amendments.
The standard defines not only construction requirements but also the plethora of tests that must pass for the design to be approved.
It requires products to be tested and approved (type testing) by an accredited test house, to the standard, before they are put on the market, and requires marking on the product to identify the test house to show compliance.

It is not permitted to CE mark plugs and sockets (now going to be UKCA since Brexit), 'self declaration' is not allowed for plugs and sockets, so the only legitimate route to market is through notified body testing.

The Socket under discussion has a spurious CE mark. I didn't see the mark of an accredited test house anywhere, and as Lucien commented on the 'instructions', I don't think any test house would have passed the instruction leaflet anyway.

I don't believe there is anything specific in BS1363-2 to say that multiple earth terminals must be connected (I could be wrong), so that doesn't help the cause, but it is plain that supplying these things is against regulations, so I believe Trading Standards could take action.

Interesting. I'm surprised there is no requirement in BS1363 for earth terminals to be connected together. Seems to leave things wide open to this sort of socket to be put on the market.

Wonder how many people have fitted them and are now sat in a house where half the socket circuit has no earth?

 

[Lucien Nunes]

OK, so the P&S(S)R 1984 invoke BS1363 so we do 100% need to confirm whether anything in that even implicitly requires the terminals to be connected together. That could be a requirement for a test from either contact to either terminal etc.

You say the CE mark is spurious, would it not be a valid indicator of compliance with the EMC directive within the electronic section of the product, even though the socket itself is out of scope?

 

[wilmer000]

With my regulatory hat on ........
The UK 'law' on plugs and sockets is implemented through Statutory Instrument 1768, "The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations"

The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994

These Regulations re–enact with modifications the provisions of the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/603) and make provision for the first time for certain requirements to be satisfied in relation to appliances.

www.legislation.gov.uk

This specifically requires socket outlets to comply with BS1363-2 plus amendments.
The standard defines not only construction requirements but also the plethora of tests that must pass for the design to be approved.
It requires products to be tested and approved (type testing) by an accredited test house, to the standard, before they are put on the market, and requires marking on the product to identify the test house to show compliance.

It is not permitted to CE mark plugs and sockets (now going to be UKCA since Brexit), 'self declaration' is not allowed for plugs and sockets, so the only legitimate route to market is through notified body testing.

The Socket under discussion has a spurious CE mark. I didn't see the mark of an accredited test house anywhere, and as Lucien commented on the 'instructions', I don't think any test house would have passed the instruction leaflet anyway.

I don't believe there is anything specific in BS1363-2 to say that multiple earth terminals must be connected (I could be wrong), so that doesn't help the cause, but it is plain that supplying these things is against regulations, so I believe Trading Standards could take action.

As I understand it only Standard Plugs need Notified body approval (Regulation 8) but Sockets fall under "Regulation 10 Electrical devices other than standard plugs" which only require testing. Agreed re: BS 1363-2, though, I can't find anything specific in that states that the earths must be linked, but the General requirement in cl.4 states that risks must be minimised so it is down to the lab interpretation of what this means. CE would still be needed if there is a CE Function like WiFi under Radio Equipment Directive/Regulations.

 

[westward10]

I believe someone has mentioned "clean earth" sockets where the terminals are not linked, MK produce one but the terminals are marked different as can be seen here. I doubt however the accessory we are discussing has been designed for this purpose.

 

[Avo Mk8]

As I understand it only Standard Plugs need Notified body approval (Regulation 8) but Sockets fall under "Regulation 10 Electrical devices other than standard plugs" which only require testing. Agreed re: BS 1363-2, though, I can't find anything specific in that states that the earths must be linked, but the General requirement in cl.4 states that risks must be minimised so it is down to the lab interpretation of what this means. CE would still be needed if there is a CE Function like WiFi under Radio Equipment Directive/Regulations.

You are right, and Schedule 1 actually excludes sockets that incorporate another electrical device (eg usb or Wi-Fi). Must learn to read thoroughly!

 

[pc1966]

I believe someone has mentioned "clean earth" sockets where the terminals are not linked, MK produce one but the terminals are marked different as can be seen here. I doubt however the accessory we are discussing has been designed for this purpose.

Also note in the MK instructions:

B. Clean Earth Installation.
Earth Wire Link must be removed

So they come "safe" with a link in place and you have to knowingly remove it for dual-earth applications.

 

[netblindpaul]

With my regulatory hat on ........
The UK 'law' on plugs and sockets is implemented through Statutory Instrument 1768, "The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations"

The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994

These Regulations re–enact with modifications the provisions of the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/603) and make provision for the first time for certain requirements to be satisfied in relation to appliances.

www.legislation.gov.uk

This specifically requires socket outlets to comply with BS1363-2 plus amendments.
The standard defines not only construction requirements but also the plethora of tests that must pass for the design to be approved.
It requires products to be tested and approved (type testing) by an accredited test house, to the standard, before they are put on the market, and requires marking on the product to identify the test house to show compliance.

It is not permitted to CE mark plugs and sockets (now going to be UKCA since Brexit), 'self declaration' is not allowed for plugs and sockets, so the only legitimate route to market is through notified body testing.

The Socket under discussion has a spurious CE mark. I didn't see the mark of an accredited test house anywhere, and as Lucien commented on the 'instructions', I don't think any test house would have passed the instruction leaflet anyway.

I don't believe there is anything specific in BS1363-2 to say that multiple earth terminals must be connected (I could be wrong), so that doesn't help the cause, but it is plain that supplying these things is against regulations, so I believe Trading Standards could take action.

The issue I have with PSSR is that whilst it states "sockets" and includes sockets in regulation 3 "Interpretation", includes them in reg 4 "Electrical devices to which Part I applies", and goes on in para 6 "Requirements for electrical devices" therein it specified compliance for plugs to contain a BS 1362 fuse (in 6(2)) and in 6(1) requires compliance with reg's 8 or 10, these go on to not specify sockets!
reg 8 is "Approval of standard plugs", reg 10 is "Electrical devices other than standard plugs", and refers to col 2 of Schedule 2 of the regulations.
This states at item 1
"Standard plugs; sockets with which standard plugs may be engaged"
This is a little ambiguous and suppliers do not interpret this as the legislation applying to BS 1363 socket outlets.
Reg 8 also does not explicitly require socket outlets to undergo notified body I&T for approval.
BS 1363-2:2016+A1:2018 does not explicitly state that two independent protective conductor terminals must be interconnected!
IIRC I know the committee chair, so I will enquire, and if this is not explicit I believe that it will be reviewed soon, perhaps it can be added.

 

[brianmoooore]

The maximum load from a 2G 13A socket is usually taken as 20A. Where does this figure come from? Written into legislation somewhere, manufacturer's instructions or just a convention?

 

[netblindpaul]

The maximum load from a 2G 13A socket is usually taken as 20A. Where does this figure come from? Written into legislation somewhere, manufacturer's instructions or just a convention?

BS 1363-2

 

[Avo Mk8]

So we seem to have established that sockets with an additional electrical device (eg wi-fi) are excluded from the PSSR (as per schedule 1), do not require Notified Body approval, and are not required by BS1362-2 to have independent earth terminals linked, there being no specific detail on that point.
So, despite hoping to the contrary, there may be nothing 'illegal' about the wi-fi twin socket in question ?