This part of BS 1363 specifies requirements for adaptors having insulating sleeves on the line and neutral plug pins and suitable for use with socket-outlets conforming to BS 1363‑2:2023, with particular reference to safety in normal use. Adaptors specified in this part of BS 1363 are intended for household, commercial and light industrial purposes. The adaptors are suitable for the connection of portable appliances, sound vision equipment, luminaires, etc., in a.c. circuits only, operating at voltages not exceeding 250 V r.m.s. and frequencies from 50 Hz to 60 Hz. Adaptors incorporating electronic components detailed in Annex A are included within this part of BS 1363.

This standard also applies to shaver adaptors which have the earth pin replaced with a similarly dimensioned protrusion made of insulating material designated as an insulated shutter opening device (ISOD) designed to operate the shutter mechanism of a socket-outlet conforming to BS 1363‑2:2023.

Adaptors conforming to this standard are shuttered and therefore do not require the use of additional means to shield the current carrying contacts when no plug is present in the adaptor socket-outlets.

Assemblies comprising a plug and one or more portable socket-outlets connected together by a flexible cable are not considered to be adaptors according to this part of BS 1363.

An adaptor is mechanical by nature of construction. The product is therefore immune from electromagnetic interference.

An adaptor that does not incorporate electronic devices does not emit intolerable electromagnetic interference, since significant electromagnetic disturbances are only generated during insertion and withdrawal which are not continuous.

This British Standard does not cover devices within the scope of the following standards: