Editing AC power plugs and sockets (section)

=== British and compatible standards ===
{{Main|AC power plugs and sockets: British and related types}}
The polarity of all grounded British sockets is standardized: earth is at the top and live is at the right of the socket. This convention is also followed in other countries using these plugs and sockets.<ref>{{cite web |title=Understanding European, Scandinavian and world wide plugs and sockets |url=https://toughleads.co.uk/pages/world-wide-plugs-and-sockets |website=Tough Leads |access-date=22 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

==== BS 546 and related types (Type D and M)<span class="anchor" id="Type D"></span><span class="anchor" id="Type M"></span> ====
[[File:BS 546 Plugs - 15A 5A 2A.png|thumb|BS&nbsp;546 plugs. Left to right: 15&nbsp;A, 5&nbsp;A and 2&nbsp;A.]]

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BS 546, "Two-pole and earthing-pin plugs, socket-outlets and socket-outlet adaptors for AC (50-60&nbsp;Hz) circuits up to 250&nbsp;V" describes four sizes of plug rated at 2&nbsp;A, 5&nbsp;A (Type&nbsp;D), 15&nbsp;A (Type&nbsp;M) and 30&nbsp;A. The plugs have three round pins arranged in a triangle, with the larger top pin being the earthing pin. The plugs are polarised and unfused. Plugs are non-interchangeable between current ratings. Introduced in 1934, the BS&nbsp;546 type has mostly been displaced in the UK by the BS&nbsp;1363 standard. According to the IEC,<ref name="iec">{{cite web |title=World Plugs |url=http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bytype.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=27 August 2014 |website=International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) |archive-date=25 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025174324/http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bytype.htm}}</ref> some 40&nbsp;countries use Type&nbsp;D and 15&nbsp;countries use Type&nbsp;M. Some, such as India and South Africa, use standards based on BS&nbsp;546.

==== BS 1363 (Type G)<span class="anchor" id="Type G"></span> ====
<div style="width: auto; max-width: 50%; float: right; margin-left: 1em; border: 1px solid #a2a9b1;">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="140">
File:Uk 13a double socket.jpg|BS&nbsp;1363 sockets
File:BS1363 Plug 04.jpg|BS&nbsp;1363 plug with fuse compartment visible
</gallery>
</div>

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BS 1363 "13 A plugs, socket-outlets, adaptors and connection units"<ref>BS''&nbsp;''1363 (1995), BS''&nbsp;''1363: 1995 "13 A plugs, socket-outlets, adaptors and connection units", British Standards Institute.</ref> is the main plug and socket type used in the United Kingdom. According to the [[International Electrotechnical Commission|IEC]]<ref name="World Plugs" /> it is also used in over 50 countries worldwide. Some of these countries have national standards based on BS&nbsp;1363, including: [[Bahrain]], [[Hong Kong]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Electrical and Mechanical Services Department |title=Guidance Notes for the Electrical Products (Safety) Regulation |url=https://www.emsd.gov.hk/filemanager/en/content_444/GN-ElectricalProductsSafetyRegulation2019.pdf |website=emsd |edition=2019}}</ref> [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], [[Cyprus]], [[Malaysia]], [[Malta]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Singapore]], [[Sri Lanka]], and [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]].

This plug has three rectangular pins forming an isosceles triangle. The BS&nbsp;1363 plug has a [[Fuse (electrical)|fuse]] rated to protect its flexible cord from overload and consequent fire risk. Modern appliances may only be sold with a fuse of the appropriate size pre-installed.

{{anchor|bs4573}}

==== BS 4573 (UK shaver) ====
{{Main|AC power plugs and sockets: British and related types#BS 4573 (UK shaver)}}
[[File:ShaverPlugUK.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.4|BS&nbsp;4573 plug]]

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The United Kingdom, Ireland, and Malta use the BS&nbsp;4573 two-pin plug and socket for electric shavers and toothbrushes.<ref>BS''&nbsp;''4573 (1970), ''British Standard Specification for two-pin reversible plugs and shaver socket-outlets'', British Standards Institution.</ref> The plug has insulating sleeves on the pins. Although similar to the [[Europlug]] Type&nbsp;C, the diameter and spacing of the pins are slightly different and hence it will not fit into a Schuko socket. There are, however, two-pin sockets and adaptors which will accept both BS&nbsp;4573 and Europlugs.
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