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 <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2022 12:21 PM
To: [email protected]
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
<[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]> > 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
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