Glossary
BS 1363
The British Standard for UK 13 A plugs, sockets and fuses. Plug-in kits need a BS 1363-1 plug in a fixed BS 1363-2 socket.
BS 1363 is the British Standard for the familiar UK three-pin 13 A plug (part 1) and wall socket (part 2).
It’s central to plug-in solar because BS 1363 itself says plugs “shall not be used for the connection of electrical power generators to socket-outlets” (IET position paper). SI 2026/848 works around this: plugs for plug-in microgenerators can be approved if they conform to BS 1363 apart from that prohibition and comply with the DESNZ product specification (SI 2026/848, reg 2; Explanatory Memorandum, para 5.3).
The specification requires a moulded, non-rewireable BS 1363-1 plug with a fuse of no more than 5 A. It must plug directly into a fixed BS 1363-2 socket: no extension leads, multi-way adaptors, travel adaptors or plug-in RCD adaptors. The socket must be on a socket circuit, not a lighting circuit or a spur feeding fixed equipment such as a cooker or boiler (IPS §6.2.3, §8.3.3).
In practice, check the kit’s cable reaches a suitable wall socket before you buy.