Code of Practice for the Electricity (Wiring) Regulations - 2009 Edition

contact with appropriate socket contact, should not be less than the
minimum of 9.5 mm, or more than the maximum of 12.7 mm.
(f ) Socket contacts should be self-adjusting as to contact making and each
socket contact should be such as to make and maintain, in normal use,
effective electrical and mechanical contact with the corresponding plug
pins. The means for producing the contact pressure should be associated
with each socket contact independently such that individual line or
neutral socket contact should be capable of retaining the gauge as
detailed in Figure A2(3) for 30 sec. when the socket outlet is held
horizontally with the gauge hanging vertically downwards. It should be
checked that neither shutter nor the cover/moulding has any effect on
the results.
(g) The construction of the socket outlet should be such that when a plug is
withdrawn from it, the current carrying socket contacts are automatically
screened by the shutter. The shutter should be operated by the insertion
of the earthing pin.
(h) (i) Apertures of the socket outlet plate or cover for the reception of the
line and the neutral plug pins should not exceed 7.2 mm × 4.8 mm
and for the earthing plug pin 8.8 mm × 4.8 mm.
(ii) The holes for the line and the neutral plug pins in metal plates
should have insulated material of at least 2 mm thick around them.
(i) No part of the aperture intended for the reception of the line or neutral
pin should be less than 9.5 mm from the periphery of the engagement
face of a socket outlet.
( j) Multiple socket outlets should be capable of simultaneous use of all
socket outlets.
(k) Where a switch is incorporated:
(i) the actuating member of a switch should not remain at rest in the
off position whilst the switch contacts remain closed; and
(ii) the actuating mechanism should be so constructed that when
operated the switch can remain only in a position giving adequate
contact or adequate separation of the contacts; and
(iii) switches should be so constructed that undue arcing cannot occur
when the switch is operated slowly; and
(iv) the switch in any switched socket outlet should disconnect the
supply to the line socket contact.
(l) Conductive component parts of the socket outlet should be so located
and separated that, in normal use, they cannot be displaced so as to
affect adversely the safety or proper operation of the socket outlet.
(m) (i) For the flush socket outlet intended to be used in enclosure, the size
of the base shall be such that the clearance for the purpose of wiring
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