BS 1363-3:2016 specifies requirements for adaptors having insulating sleeves on the line and neutral plug pins and suitable for use with socket-outlets conforming to BS 1363-2:2016, with particular reference to safety in normal use.

Adaptors specified in this part of BS 1363 are intended for household, commercial and light industrial purposes. The adaptors are suitable for the connection of portable appliances, sound-vision equipment, luminaires, etc., in a.c. circuits only, operating at voltages not exceeding 250 V r.m.s. at 50 Hz.

Adapters incorporating electronic components detailed in Annex H are included within this part of BS 1363.

This standard also applies to shaver adaptors which have the earth pin replaced with a similarly dimensioned protrusion made of insulating material designated as an insulated shutter opening device (ISOD) designed to operate the shutter mechanism of a socket-outlet conforming to BS 1363-2:2016.

Adaptors conforming to this standard are shuttered and therefore do not require the use of additional means to shield the current-carrying contacts when no plug is present in the adapter socket-outlets.

Assemblies comprising a plug and one or more portable socket-outlets connected together by a flexible cable are not considered to be adaptors according to this part of BS 1363. Devices incorporating, transformers, timers, thermostats or other control means are outside the scope of this part of BS 1363.

NOTE 1 The titles of the publications referred to in this standard are listed in the bibliography.

NOTE 2 In order to maintain safety and interchangeability with plugs and socket-outlets it is necessary that these products conform to the requirements of Clause 9, Clause 12 and Clause 13, however their body outline need not be limited at a distance of 6.35 mm from the plug engagement surface.

An adaptor is mechanical by nature of construction. The product is therefore immune from electromagnetic interference.

An adaptor that does not incorporate electronic devices does not emit intolerable electromagnetic interference since significant electromagnetic disturbances are only generated during insertion and withdrawal which are not continuous.

This British Standard does not cover travel adapters.

NOTE 3 Attention is drawn to BS 8546:2016, which covers travel adapters.


Cross References:
BS 219:1977
BS 546:1950
BS 638-4
BS 646:1958+A2:2013
BS 1362:1973
BS 1363-1:2016
BS 1363-2:2016
BS 1363-4:2016
BS 1363-5:2016
BS 2572:1990
BS 2870:1980
BS 4573:1970
BS 4662:2006+A1:2009
BS 4800:2011
BS 6004:2012
BS 6007
BS 6500
BS 7211
BS 7919
BS 8546:2016
BS EN 10270-1:2011
BS EN 50075:1991
BS EN 50525-1:2011
BS EN 50525-2-11:2011
BS EN 50525-2-21:2011
BS EN 50525-2-22:2011
BS EN 50525-2-71:2001
BS EN 60112:2003+A1:2009
BS EN 60664-1:2007
BS EN 60664-3:2003+A1:2010
BS EN 60664-5:2007
BS EN 60669-2-1:2004+A12:2010
BS EN 60695-10-2:2014
BS EN 60695-2-11:2014
BS EN 60893-3-4:2004+A1:2012
BS EN 60950-1:2006+A2:2013
BS EN 61000-6-1:2007
BS EN 61000-6-3:2007+A1:2011
BS EN 61032:1998
BS EN 61140:2016
BS EN 61180-1:1995
BS EN 61558-2-6:2009
BS EN 61558-2-16:2009+A1:2013
BS EN 61643-311:2013
BS EN 61643-321:2002
BS EN 61643-331:2003
BS EN 62368-1:2014
BS EN 62680-1-1:2015
BS IEC 61051-2:1992+A1:2009
IEC 60038
IEC 60083
IEC 60417-DB
The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994


Replaces BS 1363-3:1995+A4:2012 which remains current.

All current amendments available at time of purchase are included with the purchase of this document.