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Commando Sockets & Plugs

Commando plugs and sockets are the splash-resistant industrial connectors used on building sites, in workshops and for caravan hook-ups. This page carries the Knightsbridge range in 16A and 32A ratings for 110V, 240V and 415V supplies: plugs, in-line connectors, 3-way splitters, angled surface and panel mount sockets, and appliance inlets. Mercury adds short caravan adaptors, the 424.010UK and 424.011UK, which convert between household and Ceeform connectors.

Choosing Commando Sockets & Plugs

Match the fitting to the supply voltage and current first, then pick the style that suits where it will be fixed or used.

Voltage, colour and pins

Across the Knightsbridge range, the 110V fittings are yellow, the 240V fittings blue and the 415V fittings red, so the colour tells you the supply at a glance. The 240V IN006 plug and the 110V IN001 plug are 2P+E. The 415V IN0014 plug, IN0018 panel socket and IN0019 surface socket are 3P+N+E.

Plugs, connectors, splitters and sockets

A plug such as the IN0011 (240V 32A) fits the end of a flex, and a connector such as the IN007 (240V 16A) is the trailing socket half of a lead. The IN005 is a 110V 16A splitter with three outputs for site and workshop use. Surface mount sockets fix to a wall: the IN003, IN0012 and IN008 take a PG21 cable gland, and the IN008, IN0019 and IN0020 are supplied with a PG21 to M20 adaptor. Panel mount sockets such as the IN004 and IN0013 are built into an enclosure, and every surface and panel mount socket here is angled.

JobExampleRating
110V site tool leadIN001 plug + IN002 connector110V 16A, yellow and white
Heavier 240V loadIN0023 connector240V 32A, 2P+E
Wall socket, 415VIN0020 surface socket415V 32A, red and white
Fixed supply pointIN0022 appliance inlet240V 32A, indoor or outdoor
Caravan to household plug424.010UK lead250 mm, BS1363-1 and IEC60309-1

Inlets and caravan leads

The IN0021 (16A) and IN0022 (32A) appliance inlets are fixed-position, wall-mounted 240V plugs for generators, workshop equipment, caravan power and mobile catering. The Mercury 424.010UK runs from a household plug to a Ceeform socket, and the 424.011UK goes the other way, from a Ceeform plug to a 13A trailing socket for indoor use only.

Related categories

Browse outdoor and weatherproof sockets and extension leads and cable reels, or the wider Knightsbridge electrical range.

Brands we stock in Commando Sockets & Plugs

Knightsbridge and Mercury.

Frequently asked questions

Where are commando plugs and sockets used?

Commando plugs and sockets are used where a household plug is not tough or weather-resistant enough, such as on building sites, in workshops and at caravan hook-up points. A different supply voltage uses a different pin layout or earth-pin position, so a plug will not fit a socket meant for a different supply.

Do commando sockets need RCD protection?

Yes, a commando socket outlet usually needs RCD protection in a UK installation, in the same way as a standard socket outlet. A reduced low voltage site supply from a centre-tapped transformer can follow different rules, and some commercial outlets may be exempt under a documented risk assessment. A qualified electrician should confirm the protection for the circuit.

How do you install a commando socket?

Isolate the supply and prove the circuit dead, then check that the cable size and protective device suit the socket's current rating. Mount the socket firmly, feed the cable through its gland, and connect the conductors to the marked terminals. Test the circuit before use, and have the work done by a qualified electrician.

What is a commando socket?

A commando socket is a heavy-duty industrial power socket with a round, colour-coded body and a hinged cover, used for site tools, temporary power and caravan hook-ups. Look for fittings made to IEC 60309, the international pattern for industrial plugs and sockets. The range here includes plugs, sockets, in-line connectors and splitters.

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
  • UK-only supply

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

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