MK 13a Plug

13 Amp plugs and sockets (conforming to BS1363) are the standard connection for single phase portable appliances in the UK.

The plug consists of two short prongs for live and neutral, with a longer pin oriented at 90° to these for the earth connection. Modern plugs have a sleeved section of the L & N pins to prevent electric shocks while making/breaking connections. On the illustrated plug, these are in brown and blue, however this is not always the case.

Fusing

13A plugs must be fitted with an appropriate 1" fuse (conforming to BS1362). Fuses are available in various amperages, up to the plug's rated maximum of 13A.

It is not unknown for the fuse to be replaced with a solid metal object by unscrupulous persons dealing with a blown fuse. This is downright dangerous, and any appliances found with this arrangement should be taken out of service immediately until a correct fuse can be sourced.

Wiring

With the plug top removed, and the earth pin top most, the live pin (and the associated fuse) will be at the right hand side of the plug and the neutral at the left. A common aide memoire for this arrangement is

It is considered good practice to have the live and neutral conductors trimmed to fit, and leave as much slack as possible in the earth wire so that in the event of the cord being pulled from the plug body, the earth connection will be broken last.

See Also

• Discussion on the current rating of 13A double wall sockets (including some possible answers to if you can pull 26A from one)