STANDARDS - LEWDEN products meet IEC 60309-2 and it’s European equivalents EN 60309-2 and BS EN60309-2. These standards have superseded CEE17 and BS 4343.

VOLTAGE IDENTIFICATION - LEWDEN IEC 60309-2 products are colour coded so that the voltage at which they are operating is easily identified. The colours are shown in the diagrams below.

SAFETY AND THE “CLOCK” POSITION

The IEC 60309-2 system ensures that only the correct plug can be inserted in each socket. First, for each current rating the plugs are a different diameter, the pins are a different size and the separation between pins is varied. Next, each plug is aligned in its matching socket by a key and keyway. Finally the earth contact tube on the socket is put in a different position for each voltage.

The front of a 16A 110V 3 pin socket is shown in the sketch (right). Treat it as a clock face with the keyway at 6 o’clock. The earth contact tube is at 4 O’clock (called 4h). For other voltages the earth contact tube will be in a different position. Only the correct plug can be inserted in each socket. ELV sockets use a different system to achieve the same degree of  non-interchangeability. See page 47.