14 September 2016 12:02 am
The national standard for plug and socket outlets in Sri Lanka has come into force effective from this August, the energy sector regulator Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) told a media briefing yesterday.
“The new standard is effective from August 16. Manufacturing and importing other types of plugs and sockets will be banned from August 16, 2017, and the sale of such nonstandard products will be banned from August 16, 2018,” PUCSL Director General Damitha Kumarasinghe said.
The new standard will be the Type G plugs and sockets, widely known as the 13 ampere square pin plugs and sockets.
“We have distributed flyers and consulted with the public, industrialists, and electrical appliance and plug and socket manufacturers and sellers. They have not opposed this,” PUCSL Chairman Saliya Mathew added.
Sri Lanka to...
Kumarasinghe noted that there had been a large number of deaths annually due to both children and adults attempting to fit different plugs to mismatching sockets, peaking out at 200 deaths in 2012, and that some buildings have also burnt down due to leaks and excessive heat stemming from such activities.
“In 2013, we launched an educational programme, which reduced deaths to 75, but it increased to 95 in 2015. So we needed to do something beyond creating awareness. We thought this would help,” he said.
He added that every developed country has its own plug and socket standard, but Sri Lanka will take another 20 years to fully comply with the new standard.
“It will take another 20 years for existing plugs and sockets in homes to be replaced after breakage, repairs and upgrades,” he said.
PUCSL Inspectorate Director Nilantha Sapumanage noted that currently over 15 different types of plugs are imported to Sri Lanka, and that streamlining will save costs for the consumer.
“Currently, the 1.04mm2 wired circuit can accommodate just two 5-ampere sockets.
Kumarasinghe noted that there had been a large number of deaths annually due to both children and adults attempting to fit different plugs to mismatching sockets, peaking out at 200 deaths in 2012, and that some buildings have also burnt down due to leaks and excessive heat stemming from such activities.
“In 2013, we launched an educational programme, which reduced deaths to 75, but it increased to 95 in 2015. So we needed to do something beyond creating awareness. We thought this would help,” he said.
He added that every developed country has its own plug and socket standard, but Sri Lanka will take another 20 years to fully comply with the
new standard.
“It will take another 20 years for existing plugs and sockets in homes to be replaced after breakage, repairs and upgrades,” he said.
PUCSL Inspectorate Director Nilantha Sapumanage noted that currently over 15 different types of plugs are imported to Sri Lanka, and that streamlining will save costs for the consumer.
“Currently, the 1.04mm2 wired circuit can accommodate just two 5-ampere sockets.
So for 10 sockets, you need 5 circuits, but with the 2.5mm2 wire needed for the 13 ampere sockets, you can have the 10 sockets in one circuit, and they can accommodate the 5 ampere appliances,”
he said.
However, he noted that to operate 15 ampere appliances such as air conditions and water geysers, dedicated circuits will still be required. (CW)