page_title: AC power plugs and sockets: British and related types
section_title: Obsolete non-BS types
hierarchical_section_title: AC power plugs and sockets: British and related types / Obsolete non-BS types
caption_attribution_description: English: 13 Amp fused Wylex power plug
context_page_description: Plugs and sockets for electrical appliances not hardwired to mains electricity originated in Britain in the 1880s and were initially two-pin designs. These were usually sold as a mating pair, but gradually de facto and then official standards arose to enable the interchange of compatible devices. British standards have proliferated throughout large parts of the former British Empire.
  BS 546, Two-pole and earthing-pin plugs, socket-outlets and socket-outlet adaptors for AC circuits up to 250 V is a British Standard for three pin AC power plugs and sockets. Originally published in April 1934, it was updated by a 1950 edition which is still current, with eight amendments up to 1999. BS 546 is also the precursor of current Indian and South African plug standards. The 5 A version has been designated as Type D and the 15 A as Type M in the IEC 60083 plugs and sockets standard. BS 546 plugs and sockets are still permitted in the UK, provided the socket has shutters.
  BS 1363, 13 A plugs socket-outlets adaptors and connection units is a British Standard which specifies the most common type of single-phase AC power plugs and sockets that are used in the United Kingdom.
caption: Wylex 13 A plug. Note offset line pin (top of photograph).
exif: {}