Paul,

The weather-proofed BS1363 sockets do appear in outdoor domestic installations, but a contractor's not supposed to install them. They're sold by the likes of B&Q ... as are cooker control switches with a socket (also banned by the regs here)

Here's the quote from the ETCI's FAQs for consumers.

Q: Are there special plugs and sockets for outdoor installations and if so why?
A: Yes. We like most mainland Europe countries do not consider indoor plugs to be suitable for outdoor installations subject to weather and rough handling and so ordinary 13A sockets to I.S. 401 are not suitable for outdoor use. Like all socket outlets up to 32A, they should be protected by an RCD. The Rules require that outdoor sockets and industrial sockets comply with IS/EN60309 standard. In this system both the plug and socket are hard wearing and are deemed to be suitable for outdoor use. The single phase plug is coloured blue and the socket is inclined towards the ground to prevent the ingress of moisture. They may be more cumbersome than the flat pin plug system but they are safer.

(They're blaiming mainland european practice for their overkill regulations - yet I don't think very many Mainland European countries actually enforce anything quite so strict - then again there are parts of the west of ireland where it can rain horizontally for 7 days or where you can get a type of misty rain "mizzle" that requires ships deck fittings to be 100% safe [Linked Image]

[This message has been edited by djk (edited 10-20-2005).]