The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1987

Interpretation

2.—(1) In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—

“adaptor” means a device which may be engaged with a socket, being a device which is designed—

“appliance coupler” means a device designed to connect a flexible cable or cord to electrical equipment and consisting of:—

“cable connector” means a device designed to join flexible cables or cords in such a way that the cables or cords can be joined and separated without the use of tools;

“cartridge” means a totally enclosing fuse element container consisting of insulating material, tubular in form and having its ends enclosed by metallic caps;

“cartridge fuse link” means a cartridge containing a fuse element;

“electrical device” means a device to which these Regulations apply by virtue of Regulation 3 below;

“fuse element” means that part of a fuse designed to melt when an excessive current flows into an electrical circuit;

“fuse link” means that part of a fuse including the fuse element which requires replacement by a new fuse link after the fuse element has melted and before the fuse can be put back into service;

“plug” means a device other than a cable connector or an appliance coupler, which may be engaged with a socket and which is designed for the purpose of connecting to a socket any electrical equipment to which the device is attached by means of a flexible cable or cord;

“socket” means a device other than a cable connector, with which a plug may be engaged for the purpose of connecting to an electrical circuit, whether or not by means of a switch, electrical equipment to which a plug is attached;

“specified person” means a person specified in Schedule 2 to these Regulations; and

“standard plug” means a plug, which carries three pins substantially rectangular in form and designed for engagement with a socket, made to the dimensions specified in British Standard 1363: 1984 referred to in Schedule 3 to these Regulations.

(2) In these Regulations—

(a)where any standard is mentioned in these Regulations, that reference is a reference to that standard as it has effect on the date on which these Regulations are made;

(b)where any standard mentioned in these Regulations specifies relevant requirements by reference to another standard, that reference is to be construed as a reference to that other standard as it has effect on that date; and

(c)any reference to a British Standard of a particular number published on, or to come into effect on, a particular date is a reference to the British Standard Specification of that number published by the British Standards Institution on, or to come into effect on, the date in question.