BS 196 Connectors

(please note we do not sell these ! This page is for information only)

Connectors to BS 196 were made by Reyrolle Belmos amongst others and are not frequently found in venues unless you perform in underground stations!

BS 196 sockets are two-pin, non-reversible, with a scraping earth connection. The fusing in the plug can apply to either pole, or the plug may be unfused altogether. Interchangeability is prevented by means of a keyway which may have any of eighteen different positions, identified by capital letters of the alphabet (see {Fig 6.7}). They are available with current ratings of 5 A, 15 A or 30 A.

Viewed from the front of a socket, neutral is on the left and live on the right. The earth is affixed via a screw through the mounting flange at 10 o'clock

Arrangement of socket outlet to BS 196.
Two of the eighteen possible keyway positions are shown

Circuit details for wiring ES 196 outlets can be summarised as:

1. - the maximum protective device rating is 32 A

2. - all spurs must be protected by a fuse or circuit breaker of rating no larger than 16 A - this means that 30 A outlets cannot be fed from spurs

3. - the number of sockets connected to each circuit is unspecified, but proper judgement must be applied to prevent failure of the protective device due to overload

4. - cable rating must be no less than that of the protective device for radial circuits, or two thirds of the protective device rating for a ring circuit

5. - on normal supplies with an earthed neutral, the phase pole must be fused and the keyway must be positioned at point B

6. - when the socket is fed at reduced voltage from a transformer with the centre tap on its secondary winding earthed, both poles of the plug must be fused and the keyway must be positioned at P.