Hong Kong Regulations

ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS (SAFETY) REGULATION - SCHEDULE 2

SPECIFIC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR PRESCRIBED PRODUCTS

(Past version on 29/05/1998).

[sections 2, 5 & 8]

Item Prescribed product Specific safety requirement

1. (1) Subject to paragraph (2), any plug that is designed for household use
at a voltage of not less than 200V alternating current single phase, whether
it is a loose part or fitted to an electrical product, except the following-
(L.N. 77 of 2000)

   (a)  a plug which incorporates
any other electrical
equipment (other than a
fuse-link, switch or
indicator light);

   (b)  a plug forming part of a ceiling rose connector (that is to say, a
        connector designed to hold up overhead electric lighting fittings);

   (c)  a plug forming part of a luminaire comprising a track system for
        electric lights and their fittings;

   (d)  a plug forming part of an audio-visual assembly (that is to say, a
        plug designed to be connected to the socket installed within the
        audio- visual assembly and not suitable for connection to a mains
        socket in Hong Kong); and

   (e)  a plug inside or forming an integral part of an electrical product
        which is so designed that the plug is not capable of being engaged
        with or disengaged from the socket without first dismantling the
        electrical product with the use of a tool.

(2) The requirements in subparagraphs (a)(ii) and (b)(ii) of column 3 do not
apply to a non-rewirable plug or a plug fitted to an electrical product. (L.N.
77 of 2000) The plug shall be of one of the following designs-

   (a)  a 3-rectangular-pin fused plug rated at 13A of
which-

   (i)  the plug shall be legibly and durably marked with- (L.N. 77 of 2000)

                (A)  the number of BS to which the plug conforms; (L.N. 77 of
                     2000)

                (B)  its rated current in amperes (A), identities of plug pins
                     (line (L), neutral (N) and earth (E or 〨)) and
                     availability of fuse in accordance with BS 1363 Part 1;
                     and (L.N. 77 of 2000)

                (C)  the word "FUSED" or "FUSE" or equivalent symbol ()
                     together with the standard to which the fuse-link
                     conforms and the rated current of the fuse-link in
                     amperes (A) in accordance with BS 1363 Part 1; (L.N. 77
                     of 2000)

   (ii) clear instructions for the safe connection of the appropriate
        flexible cords shall be provided in the form of a label attached to
        the plug showing the colour code of the flexible cores-brown or red
        (line), blue or black (neutral) and green/yellow or green (earth);
        (L.N. 259 of 1997)

   (iii) the plug shall be designed and manufactured to BS 1363 Part 1 or BS
        5733 (for a plug which is manufactured to BS 5733, the construction
        and dimensions of plug pins, markings on the plug and fuse-links shall
        conform to BS 1363 Part 1);

   (iv) insulating sleeves of suitable material and length conforming to BS
        1363 Part 1 shall be provided for the line and neutral plug pins; and

   (v)  a fuse-link of suitable rating conforming to BS 1362 shall be
        incorporated in the plug;

   (b)  a 3-round-pin plug rated at 5A or 15A of which-

   (i)  the plug shall be legibly and durably marked with- (L.N. 77 of 2000)

                (A)  the number of BS to which the plug conforms; and (L.N. 77
                     of 2000)

                (B)  its rated current in amperes (A), identities of plug pins
                     (line (L), neutral (N) and earth (E or 〨)) in
                     accordance with BS 546; (L.N. 77 of 2000)

   (ii) clear instructions for the safe connection of the appropriate
        flexible cords shall be provided in the form of a label attached to
        the plug showing the colour code of the flexible cores-brown or red
        (line), blue or black (neutral) and green/yellow or green (earth); and

   (iii) the plug shall be designed and manufactured to conform to BS 546 or
        BS 5733 (for a plug which is manufactured to BS 5733, the construction
        and dimensions of plug pins and markings on the plug shall conform to
        BS 546);

   (c)  a 2-pin reversible plug (which is designed for connecting to a shaver
        supply unit conforming to BS 3535 Part 1) of which-

   (i)  the plug shall be legibly and durably marked with the number of BS to
        which the plug conforms and its rated current in amperes (A); and

   (ii) the plug shall be designed and manufactured to BS 4573 or EN 50075.

2. Any adaptor that is designed for household use at a voltage of not less
than 200V alternating current single phase, except an adaptor which
incorporates any other electrical equipment (other than a fuse-link, switch or
indicator light). (1) The adaptor shall be of one of the following designs-

   (a)  (i) a 5A 3-round-pin adaptor shall be
designed and manufactured to BS 546; or

   (ii) despite the requirements specified in BS 546-

                (A)  a 5A adaptor protected by fuse-links conforming to BS
                     1362 is permitted; or

                (B)  a 5A adaptor with not more than three 5A sockets
                     protected by one 5A main fuse-link conforming to BS 646
                     or BS 1362 is permitted;

   (b)  a 13A 3-rectangular-pin adaptor shall be designed and manufactured to
        BS 1363 Part 3;

   (c)  (i) A 15A 3-round-pin adaptor shall be
designed and manufactured to BS 546; or

   (ii) despite the requirements specified in BS 546-

                (A)  a 15A adaptor protected by fuse-links conforming to BS
                     1362 is permitted;

                (B)  the 15A non-fused socket of a 15A adaptor may be replaced
                     by a 13A non-fused socket, the construction and
                     dimensions of which shall comply to BS 1363 Part 2;

                (C)  a 15A adaptor fitted with a 13A or 15A non-fused socket
                     and not more than two 5A sockets which are protected by
                     one 5A main fuse-link conforming to BS 646 or BS 1362 is
                     permitted; or

                (D)  a 15A adaptor fitted with not more than three 5A sockets
                     which are protected by one 5A main fuse-link conforming
                     to BS 646 or BS 1362 is permitted.

(2) In respect of marking and labelling-

   (a)  the total maximum loading of an adaptor in amperes (A) shall be marked
        on the external accessible surface of the adaptor; and

   (b)  the word "FUSED" or "FUSE" or equivalent symbol () together with
        the rating and standard for the fuse-link shall be marked on the
        external accessible surface for fused adaptors.

(3) Sufficient clearance shall be allowed from the periphery of an adaptor
base to the line and neutral plug pins.

(4) Safety shutters, to be automatically operated by the earthing pin, shall
be provided for each socket of the adaptor.

(5) Each socket of the adaptor shall be designed to accommodate only one type
of plug.

(6) A 5A socket shall be designed and constructed to BS 546 and matched with
the dimensions of a 5A 3-round-pin plug.

(7) A 13A socket shall be designed and constructed to BS 1363 Part 2.

(8) A 15A socket shall be designed and constructed to BS 546 and matched with
the dimensions of a 15A 3-round-pin plug.

3. Any lampholders, either of the Bayonet lampholder design or the Edison
screw lampholder design, whether it is a loose part or fitted to an electrical
product.

(1) In respect of marking and labelling-

   (a)  for an Edison screw lampholder, the letter "L" shall be marked
        adjacent to the line terminal for cable connection; and

   (b)  for a metal lampholder, the words "THE LAMP-HOLDER MUST BE EARTHED" or
        equivalent wording shall be indicated in the associated packaging and
        the symbol (E or 〨)) shall be marked adjacent to the earthing
        terminal.

(2) The construction and dimensions of the lampholders shall meet the
specification of one of the designs specified in IEC 61-2.

(3) The material of the lampholders shall be able to withstand the maximum
temperatures specified in IEC 598.

4. (1) Subject to paragraph (2), any flexible cord including rubber or
PVC-insulated, twin or 3-core flexible cord with conductor of nominal cross
sectional area from 0.5 mm2 up to 2.5 mm2) whether it is a loose part or
fitted to an electrical product. (L.N. 77 of 2000)

(2) The requirement in paragraph (1)(a) of column 3 does not apply to a
flexible cord fitted to an electrical product. (L.N. 77 of 2000) (1) In
respect of marking and labelling-

   (a)  the nominal cross sectional area of a conductor and the relevant
        standard to which a flexible cord conforms shall be marked on the
        outer sheath of the flexible cord at appropriate intervals;

   (b)  for a braided flexible cord, markings of the nominal cross sectional
        area of a conductor and the relevant standard to which the braided
        flexible cord conforms shall be on the conductor insulation underneath
        the textile braid; and

   (c)  each core of a 3-core conductor shall be identified by the
        colour-brown or red (line), blue or black (neutral) and green/yellow
        or green (earth).

(2) The actual nominal cross sectional area of a conductor shall not be less
than the nominal cross sectional area marked on the flexible cord.

(3) The conductor for a flexible cord shall be made of a class 5 annealed
copper conductor conforming to IEC 228.

(4) A tinsel conductor shall comprise a number of strands or groups of strands
of copper or copper alloy wires.

(5) The conductor for a flexible cord shall have good conductivity, the
resistance of which shall not exceed the maximum value given in IEC 228.

(6) The insulation and sheath of the flexible cord shall be made of
appropriate material (PVC or rubber) and the thickness of the insulation shall
not be less than the figures given in IEC 227 and IEC 245.

5. Any extension unit that is designed for household use at a voltage of not
less than 200V alternating current single phase. (1) The extension unit shall
be of one of the following designs-

   (a)  a 5A extension unit fitted with-

   (i)  a 5A plug and a 3-core flexible cord; and

   (ii) one or more 5A sockets with a 5A main fuse-link for the protection of
        all the sockets;

   (b)  a 13A extension unit fitted with-

   (i)  a 13A fused plug and a 3-core flexible cord; and

   (ii) a combination of-

                (A)  one or more 13A sockets without a main fuse-link;

                (B)  one or more 5A sockets with a 5A main fuse-link for the
                     protection of all the 5A sockets; or

                (C)  one or more 13A sockets without a main fuse-link and one
                     or more 5A sockets with a 5A main fuse-link for the
                     protection of all the 5A sockets; or

   (c)  a 15A extension unit fitted with-

   (i)  a 15A plug and a 3-core flexible cord; and

   (ii) a combination of-

                (A)  one 13A or 15A socket and not more than two 5A sockets
                     with a 5A main fuse-link for the protection of all the 5A
                     sockets; or

                (B)  not more than three 5A sockets with an individual 5A
                     fuse-link for the protection of each of the 5A sockets.

(2) The 5A, 13A and 15A plugs of the extension unit shall meet the specific
safety requirements of plugs specified in this Schedule in addition to the
essential safety requirements for electrical products specified in Schedule 1.

(3) The flexible cord of the extension unit shall meet the specific safety 
requirements of flexible cord specified in this Schedule in addition to the
essential safety requirements for electrical products specified in Schedule 1.

(4) The flexible cords for 5A, 13A and 15A extension units shall be of a
minimum cross sectional area of 0.75 mm2, 1.25 mm2 and 1.5 mm2 respectively.

(5) All sockets shall be on the top engagement surface of the extension  unit
and shall be so designed that they can be used simultaneously.

(6) Each socket of the extension unit shall be designed to accommodate only
one type of plug.

(7) The word "FUSED" or "FUSE" or equivalent symbol () together with the
information regarding the minimum cross sectional area (referred to in
paragraph (4)) of the respective flexible cords for 5A, 13A and 15A shall be
marked on the external surface of the socket portion of an extension  unit.

(8) Safety shutters, to be automatically operated by the insertion of the
earthing pin, shall be provided for all the sockets.

(9) A main fuse-link of current rating at 5A conforming to BS 646 or BS 1362
shall be provided for the protection of all the 5A sockets in the
extension unit.

(10) For a 15A extension unit with the design described in paragraph

(1)(c)(ii)(B), an individual 5A fuse-link conforming to BS 646 or BS 1362
shall be provided for the protection of each of the 5A sockets.

(11) The 5A socket shall be designed and constructed to BS 546 and matched
with the dimensions of a 5A 3-round-pin plug.

(12) The 13A socket shall be designed and constructed to BS 1363 Part 2.

(13) The 15A socket shall be designed and constructed to BS 546 and matched
with the dimensions of a 15A 3-round-pin plug.

(14) The socket portion of an extension unit may be supplied separately
provided it can comply with the corresponding safety requirements specified in
this Schedule and information regarding the connection of the plug and the
minimum cross sectional area (referred to in paragraph (4)) of a flexible cord
shall be marked on the external surface of the socket portion.

6. Any unvented thermal storage type electric water heater which is not
provided with an individual expansion pipe. (1) The electric water heater
shall be legibly and durably marked with the number of the standard to which
the electric water heater conforms and the storage capacity in litres in
addition to such requirements in section 1(2) of the general conditions of the
essential safety requirements for electrical products specified in Schedule 1.

(2) The electric water heater shall be provided with the manufacturer's
installation instructions for the safe installation of the electric water
heater.

(3) The electric water heater shall have a guaranteed test pressure with at
least 1.5 times the static water head at the water heater.

(4) The unvented thermal storage type electric water heater shall be fitted
with the following-

   (a)  a thermostat which shall be fitted to control the heating of the
        stored water;

   (b)  a thermal cut-out which-

   (i)  shall be fitted to cut off the supply of electricity when the stored
        water is heated above the temperature setting of the thermostat and
        before the operation of the temperature and pressure relief valve is
        initiated;

   (ii) shall be wired in series with the thermostat referred to in
        subparagraph (a); and

   (iii) shall require manual resetting when the enclosure of the electric
        water heater is dismantled; and

   (c)  a temperature and pressure relief valve which-

   (i)  shall be fitted with either-

                (A)  a non-resettable temperature relief valve, having a set
                     temperature of 90℃ and being provided with manual test
                     mechanism; and

                (B)  a pressure relief valve, having a set pressure not
                     greater than the maximum designed pressure of the
                     electric water heater or than 1000 kPa, and being
                     provided with manual test mechanism; or

   (ii) a non-resettable temperature and pressure relief valve, having a set
        temperature of 90℃ and a set pressure not greater than the maximum
        designed pressure of the water heater or than 1000 kPa, and being
        provided with manual test mechanism.