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Plug Sockets

A plug socket gives a wall, floor or worktop a point to plug in mains equipment. This range is mostly Knightsbridge: 13A single and double sockets, switched and unswitched, USB-A and USB-C charging sockets, 5A round-pin sockets, dual voltage shaver sockets, 45A cooker switches with a 13A socket, and floor, pop-up, outdoor and smart sockets, in finishes such as white, brushed chrome, polished chrome, matt black and antique brass.

Choosing Plug Sockets

Pick the socket by what plugs in and where, then match the plate to the room.

Switched or unswitched, single or double pole

A switched socket lets you cut the supply without unplugging. Double pole (DP) models such as the CU9000 and CL9BC break the live and the neutral together, while single pole models such as the SN9000S break just the live. Unswitched sockets such as the CU7000U suit appliances that stay on. Twin earth models such as the PM9001N have two earth terminals.

USB charging

USB sockets replace a plug-in charger, and output varies by model: the CL9919MBB gives 18W over USB A+C, the CU9930 30W over dual USB-C, and the SN9003 and SFR9945AT 45W. Charger plates such as the CL63WMB give 63W from two USB-C ports and one USB-A, and quad USB-A outlets such as the CSQUADBC share 5.1A.

Shaver, lamp and cooker sockets

Shaver sockets such as the CS89BC are dual voltage, 115/230V and 20VA, rated IP41 for bathrooms. The 5A round-pin CL5ABC, certified to BS 546, suits lamps on a switched lighting circuit. The CL83MNBC combines a 45A double pole cooker switch with a 13A socket. Key lockable sockets such as the CL9LOCKBCW stop casual use.

Floor, outdoor and smart

Floor sockets such as the FPR7UMB and pop-up units such as the SK9909BN bring power away from the walls. Outdoors, the Mercury 429.917UK is an IP55 weatherproof socket and the Knightsbridge OP9KW an IP66 smart outdoor socket. The SN9KW is a smart Wi-Fi double socket.

TypeExampleKey detail
2G DP switchedKnightsbridge CU900013A, twin earths
USB A+C socketKnightsbridge SN900345W
Shaver socketKnightsbridge CS89BC115/230V, 20VA, IP41
Cooker switch and socketKnightsbridge CL83MNBC45A DP with 13A socket
Outdoor socketMercury 429.917UKIP55

Finishes and standards

Finishes include white, brushed chrome, polished chrome, matt black, antique brass, anthracite and smoked bronze, in screwless, flat plate, rounded and square edge styles. Sockets certified to BS 1363-2 include the CU7000U and SFR7000UMW, and the SN8333W cooker switch is certified to BS 4177.

Brands we stock in Plug Sockets

Ajax, Knightsbridge and Mercury.

Knightsbridge makes most of the range; Mercury supplies weatherproof outdoor sockets and Ajax its smart plugs.

Related categories

See USB sockets, outdoor and weatherproof sockets, floor and pop-up sockets and smart plugs and sockets. Match them with light switches, fused spurs, screwless and flat plate or grid switches.

Frequently asked questions

How do you choose sockets and switches?

Choose sockets and switches as a matching set: pick one plate style, such as screwless, flat plate or square edge, and one finish for the room. Then decide which functions a point needs, such as USB charging, dimming or double pole switching. Check the back box depth, because some USB and screwless plates need a deeper box.

What is the difference between a switched and an unswitched socket?

A switched socket has a rocker that cuts power without unplugging, while an unswitched socket stays live whenever something is plugged in. Appliances that run constantly, like fridges and freezers, are often fed from an unswitched socket. Double pole switched sockets break live and neutral together, which gives fuller isolation than single pole types.

What types of plug socket are there?

UK plug socket types include switched and unswitched sockets, USB charging sockets, shaver sockets for bathrooms, round-pin lamp sockets and cooker switches with a socket. Floor, outdoor and smart sockets bring power to places a standard wall socket cannot reach or control. Single and double gang versions suit different numbers of plugs.

How do you change a plug socket?

Switch off the circuit at the consumer unit and prove it dead with a voltage tester before removing the old faceplate. Connect live, neutral and earth to the matching terminals on the new socket, copying the old connections, then screw it to the back box. If the wiring looks damaged or you are unsure, call a qualified electrician.

What is a plug socket?

A plug socket is a wall outlet that connects a plug to the mains supply. In the UK it usually takes the three rectangular-pin plug set out in BS 1363, with shutters covering the live and neutral holes until a plug goes in. The range here includes switched, USB, shaver, floor, outdoor and smart sockets.

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

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

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