{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/plugs-and-sockets-etc-safety-regulations-1987/regulation-2",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/plugs-and-sockets-etc-safety-regulations-1987/regulation-2.json",
  "legislation": "uksi/1987/603",
  "legislation_title": "The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1987",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/plugs-and-sockets-etc-safety-regulations-1987",
  "path": "regulation/2",
  "kind": "regulation",
  "number": "2",
  "heading": "Interpretation",
  "text": "(1) In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—\n“adaptor” means a device which may be engaged with a socket, being a device which is designed—\n(a) to enable a plug having pins, or other forms of contact, of different dimensions or configuration to those of the socket to be engaged with the socket;\n(b) to enable more than one plug to be engaged with the socket; or\n(c) to be used for both of the purposes mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) above;\n“appliance coupler” means a device designed to connect a flexible cable or cord to electrical equipment and consisting of:—\n(a) a connector which is integral with, or intended to be attached to, the flexible cable or cord; and\n(b) an inlet which is incorporated in or fixed to the electrical equipment, or intended to be fixed to it;\n“cable connector” means a device designed to join flexible cables or cords in such a way that the cables or cords can be joined and separated without the use of tools;\n“cartridge” means a totally enclosing fuse element container consisting of insulating material, tubular in form and having its ends enclosed by metallic caps;\n“cartridge fuse link” means a cartridge containing a fuse element;\n“electrical device” means a device to which these Regulations apply by virtue of Regulation 3 below;\n“fuse element” means that part of a fuse designed to melt when an excessive current flows into an electrical circuit;\n“fuse link” means that part of a fuse including the fuse element which requires replacement by a new fuse link after the fuse element has melted and before the fuse can be put back into service;\n“plug” means a device other than a cable connector or an appliance coupler, which may be engaged with a socket and which is designed for the purpose of connecting to a socket any electrical equipment to which the device is attached by means of a flexible cable or cord;\n“socket” means a device other than a cable connector, with which a plug may be engaged for the purpose of connecting to an electrical circuit, whether or not by means of a switch, electrical equipment to which a plug is attached;\n“specified person” means a person specified in Schedule 2 to these Regulations; and\n“standard plug” means a plug, which carries three pins substantially rectangular in form and designed for engagement with a socket, made to the dimensions specified in British Standard 1363: 1984 referred to in Schedule 3 to these Regulations.\n(2) In these Regulations—\n(a) where any standard is mentioned in these Regulations, that reference is a reference to that standard as it has effect on the date on which these Regulations are made;\n(b) where any standard mentioned in these Regulations specifies relevant requirements by reference to another standard, that reference is to be construed as a reference to that other standard as it has effect on that date; and\n(c) any reference to a British Standard of a particular number published on, or to come into effect on, a particular date is a reference to the British Standard Specification of that number published by the British Standards Institution on, or to come into effect on, the date in question.",
  "extent": null,
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1987/603/regulation/2",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T16:28:44.600632+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}