National standard for plugs and socket outlets
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), the electricity
sector regulator, last week announced the implementation of a national
standard for plugs and socket outlets for non-industrial applications to
improve the safety of electricity consumers.
The Government has decided that the Type G plug and socket outlet,
widely known as the 13 ampere plug and socket outlet, commonly referred
to as the 'square pin' plug and socket is to be the only national
standard in Sri Lanka.
However, the transition to the type G standard plug and socket does
not call for any premises to be re-wired purely for the purpose of
accommodating the new standard, and that the existing wiring may remain
until the end of its useful life.
From August 16, the wiring of new installations, addition of circuits
to existing installations or complete re-wiring of existing
installation, should be wired with 2.5 mm2 (7/0.67 mm Cu) to be
compatible for the requirements of type G 13 A socket outlets.
Sri Lanka currently uses different types of plugs and sockets to make
a connection to a wall socket, to which the plug on an appliance does
not often fit. Electricity users adopt a variety of methods and devices,
most of which are unsafe and cause the connection to be unreliable. |