New standards for 13A plug and socket outlet manufacturers, importers

Friday, 14 July 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), in collaboration with the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), the electricity sector regulator, announced a new set of standards for manufacturing 13A type G plugs, sockets and adapters in Sri Lanka.

These standards were adopted from the British Standard - 136 3 Code. The requirement came to light with the ban that will be imposed on the manufacture and import of non-standard plugs and sockets from 16 August this year, which will also apply to adapters with multiple sockets, universal sockets and extension cords with universal sockets.

“It is a good step that is initiated by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka towards reducing electrical accidents in Sri Lanka. Presently, Sri Lanka uses different types of plugs and sockets which is one of the reasons for electrical accidents,” Director General of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution Gamini Dharmawardena said. “But after August 2017 manufacturing and importing 5A and other types of plugs and socket outlets and related items are banned according to the gazette notification on a single standard socket outlet and it is compulsory that the manufacturers and importers adhere to the newly-introduced standards on the 13A plug and socket outlet. The standard will apply to electrical appliances as well.”

The new set of standards issued under SLS 734 specifies requirements for 13A fused plugs having insulating sleeves on line and neutral pins and 13A shuttered socket-outlets for household, commercial and light industrial purposes, with particular reference to safety in normal use.

It specifies the sizes, characteristics of the parts of rewirable and non-rewirable 13A fused plugs, 13A switched and un-switched socket outlets and specification for adaptors. On 16 August 2016, the Government decided that the type G plug and socket outlet, widely known as the 13 A plug and socket outlet and commonly referred to as the ‘square pin’ plug and socket, will be the only national standard in Sri Lanka and the PUCSL was charged with creating an enabling environment for the smooth transition of non-standard plugs and sockets to a national standard.

With effect from August 2017, all electrical equipment and appliances manufactured or imported must only contain 13A square pin plugs.

Only 13A plugs/sockets (type G) will be permitted to be manufactured or imported with effect from August 2017 and other types of plugs and sockets are banned from being manufactured or imported.

All extension cords manufactured or imported with effect from August 2017 must contain only 13 A sockets and an inbuilt fuse. With effect from August 2018, only 13 A plugs and sockets can be sold. The sale of all other types of plugs and sockets will be banned.

With effect from August 2018 only extension cords with 13 A sockets and an inbuilt fuse can be sold, with the sale of all other types of extension cords being banned.

Furthermore, with effect from August 2018, all electrical equipment and appliances sold must contain 13 A Plugs (type G).