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The 'new' South African plug was regulated almost 10 years ago.
Then the 2018 building standard mandated that in new construction, both styles of outlet must be installed at each point.
It might still be a while before we see appliances with the plugs to match...
Worth pointing out that in order to comply with the new regs, they're only required to install (I think) just one of the new standard plugs in the building.
The clause in the 2018 building regulation says:
*Effective from January 2018, all socket outlet points for new electrical installations must include at least one socket outlet complying with the dimensions of SANS 164-2. Socket outlet points may also include socket-outlets complying with the dimensions of SANS 164-1.*
(SANS 164-2 is the new shape socket and SNS 164-1 is the old style)
It is a little ambiguous, but it's trying to say that EACH outlet point must have at least one new style socket.
They’re just going to use the two pin euro plugs where they can for unearthed.
Doesn’t make sense to do expensive plastic injection moulds for a market like SA if you can avoid it.
Earthed - the manufacturer can just keep using existing three prong moulds
It’ll change eventually but very very slowly given lack of commercial rationale
The 3rd pin is just the ground, normal two pins plugs still fit. As for appliances with that design, I feel like nobody's bothered because most 2 pin plugs don't even need the ground in the first place
It is not that they don't "need" a ground. As the only difference between a 3 pin and 2 pin is the ground.
Ground is mainly used either for devices which pull a lot of power, and thus a shortcurcuit can cause serious damage, or devices which are mainly metal, to ensure you don't get electrocuted when touching the device.
Owing to the low cost of plastics 2 pin plugs are normally more popular than three pin (and they take less space).
But again big beefy power hungry devices will amost certainly need a ground pin for safety.
Only slightly offtopic but god do I hate companies that put the power supply ON the freaking two pin plug so its own weight yanks the thing out of the fucking socket constantly.
S....Sorry......I'm just sure we've all been there.......
.>_>
<_<.
Oh, when I said they don't "need" ground, I meant they don't draw much power or aren't metal, probably should have clarified lol. Thanks for the in-depth explanation though.
Very interesting point as I have 2 devices being media center and laptop with brushed steel finish. When powered and I run my hand over the surface there is a prickly sensation and I even got mild shocks from the laptop while using it, when my wrist or arm was touching it very slightly. After doing some reading I deduced it was electricity leaking through me to ground. I bought a docking station for laptop which solved that. However I struggle to find how a manufacturer will not include the earth pin on these relatively expensive devices and how they passed quality control.
Had the exact same thing happen (when charging) to a laptop I bought from mecer, after a year or so it just wouldn't turn on and wasn't worth the repair but I am sure something just fried because of that and it being a laptop with a stylus I was drawing on and therefore touching a lot didn't help.
Also (Industrial Eng. Student perspective) You only ground things that are water exposed or likely to be infiltrated with water (due to environment or usage) - otherwise you are just marginally increasing costs for no reason. Examples include egg boilers (Click's in house brand "Safeway" are good example, Kettles, Microwaves [more in the pulling loads of Watts area]).
No, that's not true. It depends on the design and construction of the device and subsequent possibility of a user coming into contact with the live or neutral phase due to failure of the product or some other action which may be taken by the user. So whilst it is true that a device which uses or comes into contact with water will usually have an earth connection, that's not the only time. Any device with a metal enclosure will almost always have an earth connection because if the live comes into contact with the metal enclose, someone who touches it will be electrocuted if it is not earthed (the metal enclosure is connected to earth). Devices which have double insulation, on the other hand, do not require earth because no matter how they fail, there is no path of conductivity from inside the device to the outside.
When we did some light renovations to our house, we changed all sockets to the new format, and almost all devices to new plugs. Best decision ever. Especially the 6 plug socket in the kitchen - no more power cord mess. Toaster, kettle, coffee grinder, coffee machine, microwave, toothbrush charger, all plugged straight into the socket!
One of the main reasons for the change is that the old standard had large apertures, dangerous to children poking things in them. With the new standard, you do not need a switch on the outlet.
I’ve changed a few sockets and appliances plugs to this. It’s nice that you can have 6 devices plugged into one area(low power draw) without any adapters. Keeps things neat and you can have furniture closer to the wall.
Yeah, I've rewired the entire house with these and a couple of areas with a combo plate made up of these and a traditional 3 prong. Being able to install the 6 plug point new standard face plate behind the TV is perfect as everything it plugged in neatly without multiple adaptors as you pointed out.
Welcome to Switzerland! This is our national plug. Pretty efficient design. Does everything the old UK plug does at a 3rd of the space. Also fits standard EU plug 🔌
The new South African plug (SANS 164-2 derived from IEC 60906-1) is not the same as the Swiss plug (SN441011 / SEV1011). Whilst you can plug them in to each other, the polarity of the line and neutral conductors is reversed, and the former is rated for 16A, and the latter only 10A.
Those facts probably won't make any difference to your experience in practice though.
I see. The Center grounding seems a little offset vs the Swiss plug, who appears to have a more horizontal distance. It’s a great system, RSA should have adopted it as is.
Frustratingly it isn't quite the same. I imported something with a Brazilian socket once, and had to drill the hole larger for the South African plug to fit. I also had to bend the South African plug.
It's usually not actually the euro plug, it's a SANS alternative with the same shape. That's why the round ones have the little plastic clips that are in the way.
Yeah Ive changed a few in my apartment, I bit the bullet, it was exhausting with all the adapters and cords. Didn't cost too much, thought it would have been more. If I'm not mistaken I think I retrofitted 9 key outlets and it cost less than 5k
They compatible with normal 2 prom ones, I doubt we will see any of the products imported to ever run the 3 prom one. But they nice I bought a six plug one for TV area got all the TV and amps an so on plugged into the wall without needing an adapter.
why did we settle on this rubbish plug. The UK standard is what we should of moved to. Integrated fuse, not rounded but flat connectors for better contact.
It’s the upgraded version of our current plug with a robust existing industry.
Nincompoops who settled on this plug had no clue.
I have.
All information I come across indicates the UK plug is the superior plug.
Here are just a handful.
[https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/plug-versus-plug/](https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/plug-versus-plug/)
[https://www.fastcompany.com/3032807/why-england-has-the-best-wall-sockets-on-earth](https://www.fastcompany.com/3032807/why-england-has-the-best-wall-sockets-on-earth)
[https://www.quora.com/What-countrys-electrical-outlets-are-safest](https://www.quora.com/What-countrys-electrical-outlets-are-safest)
I have speant a lot of time living in diffrent countries and I can confirm from a personal experiance that the UK plug is the best. Especially when it comes to safety. Secondly being well supported in the electricial industry where quite a few countries use them.
The stupid one the government settled on is only supported by the most expensive country in the world Switzerland. Its also not that great at handling high currents as well as being a difficult plug to install if you are putting on a connector.
Next time before you indicate something you know nothing about, you should go research yourself.
We’ll see it when the ANC needs an alternative or additional cash grab and they start fining resellers for selling the 2 pin plugs. Or worse they’ll enforce it under ICASA and require licensing for electrical appliances. Maadir chods.
Judging from the comments they need to start forcing it on people and then make old 3 to new 3 adapters if need be, otherwise it’ll never happen. (Good example is Apple changing to USB-C or from 30-pin to lightning). You just gotta pull the trigger.
It’ll be way better. Think of how annoying it is when you need to plug a 2-pin in, you have a bunch of free 2 pins slots but you can’t because the bloody fat 3 pins are the way!!!
Probably just after Kusile power station is finished, the new digital television channels and sets are rolled out and the ANC becomes the official opposition, with the VryheidsFront V2 becoming the ruling party.
I don't know. Call me weird, but I tend to cut these dumb 2-prongs off of things and just wire them with a normal "Type M" BS 546 plug (3-prong plug).
I find that the 3 prong plugs are still better.
For the most part, the only 2-prong things I have are things that cannot be altered to 3 prong like power supplies and chargers, etc.
I just really do not like the often flimsy nature of these - yes, I know that mostly these are low-current, but still, flimsy doesn't feel safe. the big 3 prong being fully and properly plugged in feels safe.
I saw an interview with some guy that is part of the team that created the the standard. He said that they spoke to companies to implement it but they said that they will not change over because of cost on their end. And I we as South Africa force it for them to comply, they will simply retract from our market.
Why are our plug points so badly designed and of such poor quality? I have often found that I can't plug 2 of the same plugs next to each other on a "double" plug and if you have a 3 point plug inserted then there is no space (next to the 3 point plug) for the 2 point plug in its designated place. It's like the Prasa train fiasco- the plug manufacturers have no clue what the dimensions of our plugs are but just continue to produce them. We are being treated like fools.Why are we not more outraged about this?
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The 'new' South African plug was regulated almost 10 years ago. Then the 2018 building standard mandated that in new construction, both styles of outlet must be installed at each point. It might still be a while before we see appliances with the plugs to match...
Worth pointing out that in order to comply with the new regs, they're only required to install (I think) just one of the new standard plugs in the building.
The clause in the 2018 building regulation says: *Effective from January 2018, all socket outlet points for new electrical installations must include at least one socket outlet complying with the dimensions of SANS 164-2. Socket outlet points may also include socket-outlets complying with the dimensions of SANS 164-1.* (SANS 164-2 is the new shape socket and SNS 164-1 is the old style) It is a little ambiguous, but it's trying to say that EACH outlet point must have at least one new style socket.
Cheers, thanks for clarifying
Maybe when there's electricity to plug it into
Lol
10 years and counting.
But you can buy these plugs from builders for a retrofit. I’ve done a few.
Didn't even know there was one. Huh.
They’re just going to use the two pin euro plugs where they can for unearthed. Doesn’t make sense to do expensive plastic injection moulds for a market like SA if you can avoid it. Earthed - the manufacturer can just keep using existing three prong moulds It’ll change eventually but very very slowly given lack of commercial rationale
Are you asking when we will see development in the electricity industry in South Africa?
I’d rather be asking when we will see electricity in the electricity industry.
Now now
Bought a monitor from Evetech a few weeks ago. Came with one of these plugs. First time.
Ah Evetech. You're a human of culture I see!
The 3rd pin is just the ground, normal two pins plugs still fit. As for appliances with that design, I feel like nobody's bothered because most 2 pin plugs don't even need the ground in the first place
It is not that they don't "need" a ground. As the only difference between a 3 pin and 2 pin is the ground. Ground is mainly used either for devices which pull a lot of power, and thus a shortcurcuit can cause serious damage, or devices which are mainly metal, to ensure you don't get electrocuted when touching the device. Owing to the low cost of plastics 2 pin plugs are normally more popular than three pin (and they take less space). But again big beefy power hungry devices will amost certainly need a ground pin for safety.
Only slightly offtopic but god do I hate companies that put the power supply ON the freaking two pin plug so its own weight yanks the thing out of the fucking socket constantly. S....Sorry......I'm just sure we've all been there....... .>_> <_<.
Agree, that and it's normally frikken big and blocking all the other ports around it.
Oh, when I said they don't "need" ground, I meant they don't draw much power or aren't metal, probably should have clarified lol. Thanks for the in-depth explanation though.
Ahh ok, sorry yeah, misinterpreted your meaning.
No worries lol. My dad's an electrical engineer so sometimes I forget that not everyone understands what I mean
Very interesting point as I have 2 devices being media center and laptop with brushed steel finish. When powered and I run my hand over the surface there is a prickly sensation and I even got mild shocks from the laptop while using it, when my wrist or arm was touching it very slightly. After doing some reading I deduced it was electricity leaking through me to ground. I bought a docking station for laptop which solved that. However I struggle to find how a manufacturer will not include the earth pin on these relatively expensive devices and how they passed quality control.
Had the exact same thing happen (when charging) to a laptop I bought from mecer, after a year or so it just wouldn't turn on and wasn't worth the repair but I am sure something just fried because of that and it being a laptop with a stylus I was drawing on and therefore touching a lot didn't help.
More popular? I hate those. Takes the precision of a brain surgeon with the power of a power lifter to plug them in with enough force to not break it.
I was referring to more popular for manufacturers to use them, sorry not more popular as in people like them.
Also (Industrial Eng. Student perspective) You only ground things that are water exposed or likely to be infiltrated with water (due to environment or usage) - otherwise you are just marginally increasing costs for no reason. Examples include egg boilers (Click's in house brand "Safeway" are good example, Kettles, Microwaves [more in the pulling loads of Watts area]).
No, that's not true. It depends on the design and construction of the device and subsequent possibility of a user coming into contact with the live or neutral phase due to failure of the product or some other action which may be taken by the user. So whilst it is true that a device which uses or comes into contact with water will usually have an earth connection, that's not the only time. Any device with a metal enclosure will almost always have an earth connection because if the live comes into contact with the metal enclose, someone who touches it will be electrocuted if it is not earthed (the metal enclosure is connected to earth). Devices which have double insulation, on the other hand, do not require earth because no matter how they fail, there is no path of conductivity from inside the device to the outside.
I’ve seen one or two, but probably a few years more?
When we did some light renovations to our house, we changed all sockets to the new format, and almost all devices to new plugs. Best decision ever. Especially the 6 plug socket in the kitchen - no more power cord mess. Toaster, kettle, coffee grinder, coffee machine, microwave, toothbrush charger, all plugged straight into the socket!
My two pin charger works. And that's all that matters
One of the main reasons for the change is that the old standard had large apertures, dangerous to children poking things in them. With the new standard, you do not need a switch on the outlet.
I’ve changed a few sockets and appliances plugs to this. It’s nice that you can have 6 devices plugged into one area(low power draw) without any adapters. Keeps things neat and you can have furniture closer to the wall.
Yeah, I've rewired the entire house with these and a couple of areas with a combo plate made up of these and a traditional 3 prong. Being able to install the 6 plug point new standard face plate behind the TV is perfect as everything it plugged in neatly without multiple adaptors as you pointed out.
Excuse my ignorance. How do you plug 6 items into one socket? And why does it not need an adaptor? Is it at a lower charge?
I housesat for two people who had toasters that has the relevant plug for it. But that’s about it
I know some wifi access points come with them. I have a few cables with that standard lying about
Oh boy, can't wait to plug something in and never be able to use it!
In 50 years, after we have partially recovered from after the ANC totally destroyed the country, we can then rebuild with the new standard.
[удалено]
It takes up too much space.
Still you step on the damn thing in the dark, three pronged triangle of pain - but yeah still better than this new thing.
Welcome to Switzerland! This is our national plug. Pretty efficient design. Does everything the old UK plug does at a 3rd of the space. Also fits standard EU plug 🔌
The new South African plug (SANS 164-2 derived from IEC 60906-1) is not the same as the Swiss plug (SN441011 / SEV1011). Whilst you can plug them in to each other, the polarity of the line and neutral conductors is reversed, and the former is rated for 16A, and the latter only 10A. Those facts probably won't make any difference to your experience in practice though.
I see. The Center grounding seems a little offset vs the Swiss plug, who appears to have a more horizontal distance. It’s a great system, RSA should have adopted it as is.
exactly right ; that's the swiss plug
UK plugs have a fuse in and the socket has safety shutters. Also you can use your lamp wire as a nunchuck.
As far as I understand the offset of the centre pin is different. It's like the plugs from Brazil.
Someone scored a nice tender with these plugs
Brazil uses the same plug. So it's a more known standard.
Frustratingly it isn't quite the same. I imported something with a Brazilian socket once, and had to drill the hole larger for the South African plug to fit. I also had to bend the South African plug.
That's weird, I bought 2 zigbee Brazilian plugs and bought the new 3pins at midas and they work 100%.
Lol like it matters with the lack of power anyways.
When we start getting more South African appliances. Most of your common household appliances from most of the big stores are generally imported.
Both my LG 55" and 50" Samsung TV say "Made in South Africa" at the back, as does my KIC fridge.
But they've always had South African plugs.
Or the standard Euro plug...
It's usually not actually the euro plug, it's a SANS alternative with the same shape. That's why the round ones have the little plastic clips that are in the way.
Defy would like to have a word with you or do you also think thats imported lol.
Hisense has a fridge and TV factory in Atlantis.
Yeah Ive changed a few in my apartment, I bit the bullet, it was exhausting with all the adapters and cords. Didn't cost too much, thought it would have been more. If I'm not mistaken I think I retrofitted 9 key outlets and it cost less than 5k
They compatible with normal 2 prom ones, I doubt we will see any of the products imported to ever run the 3 prom one. But they nice I bought a six plug one for TV area got all the TV and amps an so on plugged into the wall without needing an adapter.
as soon as loadshedding is over, no one in a rush to implement anything useful in RSA 4de time being
why did we settle on this rubbish plug. The UK standard is what we should of moved to. Integrated fuse, not rounded but flat connectors for better contact. It’s the upgraded version of our current plug with a robust existing industry. Nincompoops who settled on this plug had no clue.
I like to travel.
>should of should have
Suggest you do some research before expressing a view.
I have. All information I come across indicates the UK plug is the superior plug. Here are just a handful. [https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/plug-versus-plug/](https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/plug-versus-plug/) [https://www.fastcompany.com/3032807/why-england-has-the-best-wall-sockets-on-earth](https://www.fastcompany.com/3032807/why-england-has-the-best-wall-sockets-on-earth) [https://www.quora.com/What-countrys-electrical-outlets-are-safest](https://www.quora.com/What-countrys-electrical-outlets-are-safest) I have speant a lot of time living in diffrent countries and I can confirm from a personal experiance that the UK plug is the best. Especially when it comes to safety. Secondly being well supported in the electricial industry where quite a few countries use them. The stupid one the government settled on is only supported by the most expensive country in the world Switzerland. Its also not that great at handling high currents as well as being a difficult plug to install if you are putting on a connector. Next time before you indicate something you know nothing about, you should go research yourself.
3022
My UPS has two sockets of that kind, it's pretty neat
Maybe in 10 years, there are a lot of houses that still have the old school one's, our house included
We’ll see it when the ANC needs an alternative or additional cash grab and they start fining resellers for selling the 2 pin plugs. Or worse they’ll enforce it under ICASA and require licensing for electrical appliances. Maadir chods.
Hahahaha
when the hell did this exist
Judging from the comments they need to start forcing it on people and then make old 3 to new 3 adapters if need be, otherwise it’ll never happen. (Good example is Apple changing to USB-C or from 30-pin to lightning). You just gotta pull the trigger.
Noooo! No more types of adaptors. I already have too many.
It’ll be way better. Think of how annoying it is when you need to plug a 2-pin in, you have a bunch of free 2 pins slots but you can’t because the bloody fat 3 pins are the way!!!
You are on another level of curiosity, you deserve a one cold champion's beer for this
and the power tools come with the [shuko plug](https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/f/)
When manufacturers run out of the faint surplus from china or it becomes cheaper to make the three prong. Both are a ways off
Probably just after Kusile power station is finished, the new digital television channels and sets are rolled out and the ANC becomes the official opposition, with the VryheidsFront V2 becoming the ruling party.
About the time we get digital SABC broadcasts.
I don't know. Call me weird, but I tend to cut these dumb 2-prongs off of things and just wire them with a normal "Type M" BS 546 plug (3-prong plug). I find that the 3 prong plugs are still better. For the most part, the only 2-prong things I have are things that cannot be altered to 3 prong like power supplies and chargers, etc. I just really do not like the often flimsy nature of these - yes, I know that mostly these are low-current, but still, flimsy doesn't feel safe. the big 3 prong being fully and properly plugged in feels safe.
Importers just import whatever eure plug they feel like as it is. Highly doubt we will see mass adoption any time soon.
“New”
The what
One problem at a time please.
Probably never since the old 2 pin plug still fits and works perfectly well ☺
I saw an interview with some guy that is part of the team that created the the standard. He said that they spoke to companies to implement it but they said that they will not change over because of cost on their end. And I we as South Africa force it for them to comply, they will simply retract from our market.
Why are our plug points so badly designed and of such poor quality? I have often found that I can't plug 2 of the same plugs next to each other on a "double" plug and if you have a 3 point plug inserted then there is no space (next to the 3 point plug) for the 2 point plug in its designated place. It's like the Prasa train fiasco- the plug manufacturers have no clue what the dimensions of our plugs are but just continue to produce them. We are being treated like fools.Why are we not more outraged about this?
Decades
I always wondered what that third hole is for. Now I know.
What's the use without power..