What's the correct name for one of these sockets?

[Orchid1]

Another quirk of the new flat I've just moved into. It has these three pin sockets dotted around the living room which I'm assuming are for table/floor lamps to all be connected by one switch (far left in the picture). However does anyone know the proper name for them? I want to get an adaptor to see if they work and eventually replace them when the living room is decorated.

I also want to see if they are connected to the switch on the far right which doesn't seem to do anything.

[anonymous-user]

I've got one in front of me, still in the package. ""8amp Round Pin Plug" is what it says, made by MK.

Googling finds a 5A version at Screwfix (among many other places)

https://www.screwfix.com/p/mk-5a-unfused-round-pin...

[jfdi]

It's a 5 amp light socket

[Orchid1]

Thanks. I'll need to see if I can hunt down a more modern looking replacement.

[LooneyTunes]

Why would you change them? They’re not necessarily old. They’re a standard type and lamps can plug directly in.

If you’re thinking of changing them to regular 13a, check the wiring can take it...

[PositronicRay]

Not sure you can get adaptors for them, just buy a plug and try it with a spare lamp.

[PositronicRay]

Orchid1 said:

Thanks. I'll need to see if I can hunt down a more modern looking replacement.

I wish I had them, my brother has all his floor and table lamps on one circuit. It's brilliant.

[s3dave]

LooneyTunes said:

They’re a standard type and lamps can plug directly in.

If you’re thinking of changing them to regular 13a, check the wiring can take it...

Agreed. You may find that these sockets are switched on and off from a light switch in the room (probably the switch you are currently wondering what it does!) It allows you to come in the room and switch on a couple of table lights from the entrance. I deliberately specified these in both houses I built.

[TooLateForAName]

OpulentBob said:

I've got one in front of me, still in the package. ""8amp Round Pin Plug" is what it says, made by MK.

Googling finds a 5A version at Screwfix (among many other places)

https://www.screwfix.com/p/mk-5a-unfused-round-pin...

There are 3, 5 and 8 amp versions - all look the same but different sizes so they can't be plugged into the wrong ones.
They will be on a lighting circuit - do not replace them with 13amp sockets.

[NDA]

Orchid1 said:

A replace them when the living room is decorated.

Noooo!

You have fancy plugs and fancy wiring/lighting. Keep them.

[TimmyMallett]

They are also known as 'hotel theft proof lights'

Except they're not really. They're kinda nice being able to turn your lamps on from the wall light switch, don't get rid of them!

[Triumph Man]

Hopefully the switch near the floor doesn't operate them, otherwise that's removed one of the good points! As others have said that's a 5A lighting socket, do you have a switch as you enter the room that doesn't appear to do anything?

[Orchid1]

Sorry I should have said I intend on keeping them but was going to look and see if there were more modern looking ones as all the sockets and light switches in the house are getting replaced

[Orchid1]

Triumph Man said:

Hopefully the switch near the floor doesn't operate them, otherwise that's removed one of the good points! As others have said that's a 5A lighting socket, do you have a switch as you enter the room that doesn't appear to do anything?

I do yes, there's 3 switches on the wall as you enter the room, one switches on the balcony light, one switches on the ceiling light and there's a 3rd one that doesn't seem to do anything at the minute which I'm assuming is the switch for them. I've no idea what the switch on the right hand side in the photo does, I thought it might be some kind of isolator switch for them.

[normalbloke]

Smart lighting has kind of made this system obsolete, unless you’re after the ‘how we used to do it’ factor.

[PositronicRay]

Orchid1 said:

Sorry I should have said I intend on keeping them but was going to look and see if there were more modern looking ones as all the sockets and light switches in the house are getting replaced

White plastic is the new stainless steel.

[Triumph Man]

Orchid1 said:

Triumph Man said:

Hopefully the switch near the floor doesn't operate them, otherwise that's removed one of the good points! As others have said that's a 5A lighting socket, do you have a switch as you enter the room that doesn't appear to do anything?

I do yes, there's 3 switches on the wall as you enter the room, one switches on the balcony light, one switches on the ceiling light and there's a 3rd one that doesn't seem to do anything at the minute which I'm assuming is the switch for them. I've no idea what the switch on the right hand side in the photo does, I thought it might be some kind of isolator switch for them.

Yes sounds like that 3rd switch operates them - pretty handy really, I like them.

[Triumph Man]

normalbloke said:

Smart lighting has kind of made this system obsolete, unless you’re after the ‘how we used to do it’ factor.

Loads of our Clients still insist we specify a 5A lighting ring, particularly for the Principal rooms, and the Bedrooms (i.e. bedside lights, like a hotel). Lots of people around here seem very wary of smart lighting systems!

[Simpo Two]

It's quite funny when a commonplace item from 50 years ago - a 5 amp socket - is now totally alien to people... We only changed to 'everything on 13A flat pin' in the 1970s, and that was to please the Europeans I think.

[Dogwatch]

Simpo Two said:

It's quite funny when a commonplace item from 50 years ago - a 5 amp socket - is now totally alien to people... We only changed to 'everything on 13A flat pin' in the 1970s, and that was to please the Europeans I think.

Much as it grieves me we can't blame Brussels for once. The round pin sockets don't have shutters and there were dreadful injuries and worse from small hands putting metal objects or foil into the inviting holes.
The flat pin sockets were developed in the forties I think but took years to become "standard".

There were also competing configurations such as the Wylex system.