A special electrical safety initiative highlights threats to consumer safety through the availability of counterfeit and unsafe electrical plugs and sockets in the UK.
The PlugSafe information portal is run by a voluntary group of professional electrical engineers that is working with other bodies to oppose the threats to safety posed by faulty electrical goods, illegal counterfeits and loopholes in standards.
The group was formed in response to fears that consumer safety was being compromised. Of particular concern is the number of web retailers who advertise counterfeit plugs which, although being fraudulently marked “BS 1363”, are not compliant.
Among the dangers highlighted on the PlugSafe website are counterfeit fuses, plugs with a partially sleeved earth pin, problems with colour coding of wires, faulty mouldings and poor plug assemblies.