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.