It’s a safety feature. Say what you like about this style of plug and socket, but it’s the safest kind worldwide.
So if an appliance doesn’t have an inbuilt on/off switch (like a charger) you don’t need to unplug it to turn it off, you can just switch it off. It’s not a groundbreaking innovation, but it’s handy :).
On the other hand if, like me, you never really switch them off, it’s also annoying when your cleaner turns them off and you find you didn’t actually charge your phone overnight haha.
BS1363
British plugs and sockets (type G) are cumbersome, big, heavy and ugly, but they are definitely the best, safest, best-engineered plugs and sockets in the world.
I miss that little switch in continental Europe so much! Haha.
Wait, do foreign plugs not have on and off switches???
Yeah, it’s a safety feature as everyone else said. It’s definitely handy since I often switch off eg mobile phone chargers from there without having to remove the plug when not in use. I also occasionally use it when inserting a two-pin plug since I would need to depress the socket tgat accomodates the earth pin.
I always switch it off when the plug is not in use even though they have the safety feature.
So you can accidentally turn it off and not know why your water isn’t boiling
It’s an added safety feature used in 2 exclusive situations:
1. In the case of arcing the plug can get welded into the socket with no way to remove it, this gives you the option to leave it there but switched off till you call an electrician.
2. In case the plug gets wet you can turn off the socket before making physical contact with the plug. (the switch is earthed so that ‘cant’ shock you)
Bonus: Since insertion and removal is done with the power off arcing is reduced, increasing the lifetime of the socket and eliminating current spikes from your electrical circuit.
I have no idea why this isn’t more common as it’s an added level of safety i’d want
It’s the same in Britain and being from Europe I agree that it’s safest in EU. I believe everyone socket should have on/off functions for little kids of general health and safety.
To turn off power to them, when not being used.
It’s lot safer and convenient. Malta uses UK type plugs. You can’t beat them for safety.
You know malta has a ton of bad shit.. but that socket sir.. is the best socket out there. It should be a global standard not sure why most European countries adopted that crappy two pin socket with no switch.
Relatively common across South Africa, too. It’s a nice feature.
To make it right. We have lots of them in Denmark.
Are you telling me your plugs *don’t* have on off switches? How do you plug stuff in safley?
It’s British. That. Is. All.
Also stops phantom power usage (not that it’s a lot)
Safety. I saw this in England too
It’s better to have the option than not IMO. Like others have said its also safer.
I have them – Malta here
Why not? I find them useful when I need to add or remove a plug to a multiplug. I just switch it off and on again when I’m done. Best invention ever. Also, stop complaining.
Those are here. You saw them. we are in the EU. So they are not “never seen in EU”
Thats a lie lmao
It’s British over-engineering. I for one can’t stand them and will take european shuko plugs or even American barbie plugs any day over them, but they are incredibly safety focused.
If I’m not mistaken, the switch has to do with the fact that they’re ring circuits, and the wiring inside could be carrying a lot of amps, and could cause arcing if you unplug a switched on plug. I don’t know if it’s true…
Worst thing about them is they always land on the floor pins up, and stepping on them is no fun at all
Edit to add: in UK/Malta electrical standards even today it’s common to have a single circuit breaker for ALL standard socket outlets, so you could have tens of outlets on a single CB. So if you didn’t have the switch you’d have to turn off ALL appliances if you want to turn power off to an outlet. EU standards are different and often broken down by room or groups of rooms.
26 comments
It’s a safety feature. Say what you like about this style of plug and socket, but it’s the safest kind worldwide.
So if an appliance doesn’t have an inbuilt on/off switch (like a charger) you don’t need to unplug it to turn it off, you can just switch it off. It’s not a groundbreaking innovation, but it’s handy :).
On the other hand if, like me, you never really switch them off, it’s also annoying when your cleaner turns them off and you find you didn’t actually charge your phone overnight haha.
BS1363
British plugs and sockets (type G) are cumbersome, big, heavy and ugly, but they are definitely the best, safest, best-engineered plugs and sockets in the world.
I miss that little switch in continental Europe so much! Haha.
Wait, do foreign plugs not have on and off switches???
Yeah, it’s a safety feature as everyone else said. It’s definitely handy since I often switch off eg mobile phone chargers from there without having to remove the plug when not in use. I also occasionally use it when inserting a two-pin plug since I would need to depress the socket tgat accomodates the earth pin.
I always switch it off when the plug is not in use even though they have the safety feature.
So you can accidentally turn it off and not know why your water isn’t boiling
It’s an added safety feature used in 2 exclusive situations:
1. In the case of arcing the plug can get welded into the socket with no way to remove it, this gives you the option to leave it there but switched off till you call an electrician.
2. In case the plug gets wet you can turn off the socket before making physical contact with the plug. (the switch is earthed so that ‘cant’ shock you)
Bonus: Since insertion and removal is done with the power off arcing is reduced, increasing the lifetime of the socket and eliminating current spikes from your electrical circuit.
I have no idea why this isn’t more common as it’s an added level of safety i’d want
It’s the same in Britain and being from Europe I agree that it’s safest in EU. I believe everyone socket should have on/off functions for little kids of general health and safety.
To turn off power to them, when not being used.
It’s lot safer and convenient. Malta uses UK type plugs. You can’t beat them for safety.
You know malta has a ton of bad shit.. but that socket sir.. is the best socket out there. It should be a global standard not sure why most European countries adopted that crappy two pin socket with no switch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEfP1OKKz_Q
Relatively common across South Africa, too. It’s a nice feature.
To make it right. We have lots of them in Denmark.
Are you telling me your plugs *don’t* have on off switches? How do you plug stuff in safley?
It’s British. That. Is. All.
Also stops phantom power usage (not that it’s a lot)
Safety. I saw this in England too
It’s better to have the option than not IMO. Like others have said its also safer.
I have them – Malta here
Why not? I find them useful when I need to add or remove a plug to a multiplug. I just switch it off and on again when I’m done. Best invention ever. Also, stop complaining.
Those are here. You saw them. we are in the EU. So they are not “never seen in EU”
Thats a lie lmao
It’s British over-engineering. I for one can’t stand them and will take european shuko plugs or even American barbie plugs any day over them, but they are incredibly safety focused.
If I’m not mistaken, the switch has to do with the fact that they’re ring circuits, and the wiring inside could be carrying a lot of amps, and could cause arcing if you unplug a switched on plug. I don’t know if it’s true…
Worst thing about them is they always land on the floor pins up, and stepping on them is no fun at all
Edit to add: in UK/Malta electrical standards even today it’s common to have a single circuit breaker for ALL standard socket outlets, so you could have tens of outlets on a single CB. So if you didn’t have the switch you’d have to turn off ALL appliances if you want to turn power off to an outlet. EU standards are different and often broken down by room or groups of rooms.