Non-standard BS 1363
plugs and sockets 
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Non-standard BS1363 socket, top view Non-standard BS1363 socket, bottom view Non-standard sleeved pin socket BS1363 standard socket
↑   ↑ ( standard BS 1363 ) 
Non-standard BS1363 socket Non-standard sleeved pin plug BS1363 standard plug

1, 5 13A, non-standard socket and plug for use on installations requiring restricted access (medical equipment, computers etc.), or a special type of earthing (see no. 2). Because of the T-shaped earth pin, non-standard and standard BS 1363 devices cannot be mixed. Brand name: MK Electric. 
2 Both non-standard sockets nos. 1 and 3 have two independent earth terminals. The image shows at left a conventional terminal, linked to fixing screws, and a 'clean earth' terminal at right, linked to the earth pin. The socket can be used for 'clean earth' as well as conventional earth installations. Depending on the installation the green/yellow earth wire link has to be removed; see details below.
3, 6 13A, non-standard socket and matching round pin earth plug. Meant for comparable purposes as nos. 1 and 5, but manufactured by Eaton - Cutler Hammer, under brand name MEM. The switched socket has a neon indicator light.
4, 7 Standard BS 1363 socket and plug, for comparison with non-standard socket nos. 1, 5 and 3, 6.

Clean earth socket.

The 16th edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations (BS EN 7671 amendment No.2) require the fixing screws of all mains sockets to be earthed. This is normally achieved by a link that connects a metal insert in the fixing holes of the socket to the earth pin connection.
If a metal back-box is used that is in contact with the building earth, a large amount of current can flow through this path if there is a significant difference in potential between the earth reference bar (ERB) and the building earth at that point. This problem is more likely to occur in an old building where there may be a link between earth and neutral somewhere in the wiring. The fault current can inject large amounts of noise into the equipment that is being fed from the supply. This may interfere with sensitive medical equipment.
 The problem can be reduced by eliminating the current path between the ERB and the building earth provided by the earth connection in the mains socket. This can be done by replacing the metal back-box by a plastic one, or by fitting a clean earth socket. 		 
 
A clean earth socket has two separate and isolated earth connections – one which goes to the earth pin receptacles of the sockets, and the other which goes to the fixing screws (back box). The connection to the earth pin receptacle should run via a separate cable, back to the earth reference bar (ERB). The fixing screws may make contact with the structural earth via the body of the (metal) back-box and so be at a different potential to the ERB. Therefore a separate earth is connected to this ‘dirty’ connection and also returned to the appropriate point on the ERB. Note that in this case the wire link shown in image no. 2 has to be removed.

Source: Edmundson Electrical, Medical Electrical Installation Guidance Notes; Appendix 3: Clean earth sockets.

 

Other plugs and sockets for special use

Clock plug and outlet Clock outlet Clock plug Clock plug
       
Blood pump with Walsall outlet Walsall socket Walsall plug Walsall plug

8, 9 BS 5733 outlet and plug for AC electric wall clocks, manufactured by MK Electric. The low profile of outlet and plug allows placement hidden behind a sufficiently large clock. Image no. 9 shows the outlet without clock plug (see no. 10).
10, 11 BS 5733 electric clock plug, equipped with a retaining screw to prevent accidental disconnection. Image no 11 shows an enlarged view of the reverse side of the plug, with a 2A fuse and three small, flat blade pins (live, neutral and earth).
12 - 15 Walsall gauge socket and plug. Compared to pin orientation of BS 1363 plugs each of the Walsall pins is 90 degrees rotated. Live feed is protected by a 13A BS 1362 fuse. Image no. 12 shows a part of a dialysis machine. The Walsall socket was used so that only an approved appliance for the machine (blood pump) could be used. Furthermore Walsall plugs have been used for local power supply backup networks and can still be found at some London Underground stations.

Both clock outlet and plug, and Walsall plug are generously donated to the museum; see Acknowledgment.
Photo nos 12 and 13 (dialysis machine and Walsall socket) have been copied, with permission, from Robmcrorie's Photostream; see http://www.flickr.com/photos/robmcrorie/6539260819 for the original image.

 

Ask for help
1. Still missing are Britmac plugs and sockets, another derivative of BS 1363. They have a combination of round an rectangular pins.
    One of the flat pins is 45 degrees rotated. Both live and neutral pins are fused which would allow the use on a centre-tapped to earth
    110 - 0 - 110 V network.
2. Happily the museum now has a high quality photo of a Walsall socket ! Nevertheless, if anybody comes across a no longer used Walsall
    socket, it would be appreciated if you think about the collection, which is the basis of the digital museum.

If you can help me with any of these items, please contact me; see  about the collection  for the address.

 

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