Question 1

Where is it maufactuted

Accepted Answer

These are dangerous and could kill your child.

Socket-outlet protectors
By: Mark Coles

(updated February 2020)

Socket-outlet protectors are intended to stop foreign objects being inserted into socket-outlets. The socket-outlet protector usually takes the form of a dummy plug and is inserted into the socket-outlet. The intention is to prevent anything else being inserted into the socket-outlet, such as the fingers of children or lengths of metallic objects.

(Figure 1: Header image above courtesy of MK)

The safe system that is BS 1363

Accessories to BS 1363 are designed and made to exacting requirements so that the plug perfectly fits the socket-outlet. When the BS 1363 system was defined in the 1940s, designers wanted to make sure that the socket-outlet was very safe. The Standard requires that an interlocking shutter system stops foreign objects from being inserted into the socket contacts and that all socket-outlets are tested to ensure that a pin has to be inserted a distance of 9.6 mm into the socket-outlet aperture before it makes contact with any internal live parts. The shutter system will operate and open to expose the line and neutral contacts only when the plug is inserted. This can be achieved by:

the earth pin of the plug, or
both the line and neutral pins of the plug simultaneously, or
all three pins: first the earth pin, followed by both the line and neutral pins simultaneously.

Dangers

The intended function of the socket-outlet protector sounds simple – but the reality can be quite the opposite. There is no standard for socket protector design and performance and products available on the market can vary in terms of quality and dimension. The pins of socket-outlet protectors are rarely the same size as a 13A plug; they are usually wider or narrower.

Where the pins are wider than a 13A plug, the socket-outlet protector can widen and deform the spring contact in the socket-outlet, ultimately resulting in permanent damage and poor electrical contact with the socket-outlet. This may lead to potential arcing and overheating in normal use.

In addition, withdrawing an oversized socket-outlet protector is likely to be difficult, as it can become effectively wedged in the socket-outlet. In such cases, forcing the protector out of the socket-outlet with whatever tools are to hand can damage the socket-outlet and lead to more danger. Where the pins of the socket-outlet protector are narrower than a 13A plug, the socket protector can be easily withdrawn from the socket-outlet, thus defeating its purpose.

Further to the physical dimensions of the socket-outlet protector, the next consideration is the material from which it is made. If the material is too brittle, the socket-outlet protector might snap during its withdrawal operation, leaving a pin in the socket-outlet contact and thus exposing other socket-outlet contacts, as the shutter mechanism has been defeated. Where the material is overly malleable or too soft, socket-outlet protectors can be inserted upside down, which can operate the safety shutter mechanism and expose live parts

Last word

Socket-outlets to BS 1363 are the safest in the world and have been since they were first designed in the 1940s. Socket-outlet protectors are not regulated for safety: using a non-standard system to protect a long-established safe system is not sensible and can create potential electric shock and fire hazards.

Question 2

Are the socket switch covers suitable for all types of plugs or are they specific to certain models?

Accepted Answer

BaBy Laughs socket covers have been tested (where BS 1363 Type G standards are used) with most electrical sockets on the market today. They slip into the socket so easily and they’re so tough for the little ones to displace or remove

Question 3

How many power socket covers include in each set?

Accepted Answer

Each set of socket covers includes 12 socket cover plugs. This should provide ample coverage for most rooms in a home, considering the average number of sockets in a room is 4 to 8.

Question 4

Could you tell me the measurements of each part of the protector? Specially the insert

Accepted Answer

Thank you for your questions. The long pin is 19.3mm short pins are 15.3mm. The pins are made shorter for safety purposes so if the plug is inserted upside down into the earth terminal it would not open the socket where the live terminal is.

Package Dimensions	15.8 x 10.5 x 2.5 cm; 80 g
Manufacturer reference	‎TYPE-G-BS-1363
Target gender	Unisex
Material Type	Plastic
Material-free	Powder Free
Care Instructions	Hand Wash
Additional product features	Tight Fit, Waterproof, Anti-Tamper (Key Card)
Number of items	1
Batteries required	No
Item Weight	80 g

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BaBy Laughs Plug Socket Covers UK for Baby Proofing - 12 Pack Tight Fit Waterproof Wall Socket Protector Set for Indoor Outdoor Use, White Electric Socket Cover for Child Safety

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