Round Pin Plugs/Wall Sockets
Discussion
The flat I've moved into recently has round pin wall sockets in addition to normal power points in some rooms - I'm assuming these are for table lamps etc - there appear to be additional light switches in those rooms. I've never had these type of sockets before - are there any particular precautions I need to take, or can I just switch normal plugs for the round-pin variety for my floor standing and table lamps?
TIA
TIA
You have no problem simply switching from 13a square pin to 5 or 7 amp round pin. Make sure you buy the correct size though. The round pin plugs are the predecessor of the 13a plug and are unfused. You should find they all come on from one (or maybe two ) switches on a seperate circuit.
Ahh - perhaps I should mention that its a brand new development - the builders are still finishing the last phase and our flat was only completed 3 months ago! 
Edited to say: The sockets are 3 pin, with the central pin at the top being a larger diameter than the two lower pins
The sockets look like this so I'm guessing it's a case of ordering 5A plugs. Cheers for your help!
>> Edited by julianhj on Sunday 1st January 13:56
Edited to say: The sockets are 3 pin, with the central pin at the top being a larger diameter than the two lower pins
The sockets look like this so I'm guessing it's a case of ordering 5A plugs. Cheers for your help!
>> Edited by julianhj on Sunday 1st January 13:56
Seems to me this is purely a swiched lighting circuit. so you can switch lamps on via the light switches. The different size of the socket is to ensure some dickhead doesn't plug his 3Kw kettle into the lighting circuit which will probably be 1 or 1.5 mm cable and with a 6 amp circuit breaker. Plugs will be available from any electrical supplier and the sockets are not live until they are switched on so no danger of little fingers getting burned unless you switch the lights on on all the unused switches.
www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Wiring_Accessories_Menu_Index/Plug_Tops_2/index.html
There you go - our house has them on dimmers. Excellent idea
Coach
There you go - our house has them on dimmers. Excellent idea
Coach
nonegreen said:
Seems to me this is purely a swiched lighting circuit. so you can switch lamps on via the light switches. The different size of the socket is to ensure some dickhead doesn't plug his 3Kw kettle into the lighting circuit which will probably be 1 or 1.5 mm cable and with a 6 amp circuit breaker. Plugs will be available from any electrical supplier and the sockets are not live until they are switched on so no danger of little fingers getting burned unless you switch the lights on on all the unused switches.
Sounds like you might well be correct, although as i avoid housing sites like the plague it's a new idea to me...
That said, as the plugs are fairly easy to get hold of, there's nothing to stop some half-wit fitting one of those plugs onto a totally unsuitable appliance....
I think we can file this one in the bad ideas folder, along with the solar powered torch and the waterproof sponge.
rich 36 said:
As a kid, our house was 'blessed' with a whole variety of pre-13A wall sockets
round three pin, like above thread,
and,
round (2 pin 5A?)
the latter were so easy to wire in a scalextric car motor to, and test
BANG!!
utter darkness, and quiet,
followed by severely smacked arse.
I take it you didn't follow an electrical career then?.............
nonegreen said:
Seems to me this is purely a switched lighting circuit. so you can switch lamps on via the light switches. The different size of the socket is to ensure some dickhead doesn't plug his 3Kw kettle into the lighting circuit which will probably be 1 or 1.5 mm cable and with a 6 amp circuit breaker. Plugs will be available from any electrical supplier and the sockets are not live until they are switched on so no danger of little fingers getting burned unless you switch the lights on on all the unused switches.
That's correct, they are getting more popular this days I have seen electricians fit them on loads of building sites I have been on.
nonegreen said:Spot on. Give that man a medal.
Seems to me this is purely a swiched lighting circuit. so you can switch lamps on via the light switches. The different size of the socket is to ensure some dickhead doesn't plug his 3Kw kettle into the lighting circuit which will probably be 1 or 1.5 mm cable and with a 6 amp circuit breaker. Plugs will be available from any electrical supplier and the sockets are not live until they are switched on so no danger of little fingers getting burned unless you switch the lights on on all the unused switches.
Oli.
nonegreen said:
Seems to me this is purely a swiched lighting circuit. so you can switch lamps on via the light switches. The different size of the socket is to ensure some dickhead doesn't plug his 3Kw kettle into the lighting circuit which will probably be 1 or 1.5 mm cable and with a 6 amp circuit breaker. Plugs will be available from any electrical supplier and the sockets are not live until they are switched on so no danger of little fingers getting burned unless you switch the lights on on all the unused switches.
They are also used by universities in halls of residence in order to ensure that a sufficient proportion of students freeze to death in the winter. Of course, what happens is that students fit a 2A round pin plug to a 4-way 13A square pin socket bar, and proceed to demonstrate that the electricians who cabled the sockets up have a more realistic view of the world than the authorities who specified the silly sockets.
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