I'm never quite sure what era schuko was used here in Ireland. For a time, we had several standards used simultaniously.
Schuko was certainly common in homes built in the 1930s thru 1950s.
BS546 seems to have been around always, but strongly appears in the 1950s/60s. However, it's common to see old installations where only the 15A sockets were used. Typically one per room.
The 5 and 2 amp versions didn't seem to be in widespread use until the demand for switched/dimmable table lamps became an issue and they were installed alongside BS1363 in the 1970s/80s/90s.
The 15A version also occasionally gets seen behind dishwashers/dryers/washing machines in installations from the 1960s/70s. Each appliance would have been on a dedicated circuit. The main reason for this was that 220V was the official standard here and many appliances were designed around aprox 16A loads (schuko). So, 13A fused plugs wouldn't quite cope. You'd find BS1363 throught the rest of the house though.
BS546 fitted standard boxes, schuko didn't.. hence it wasn't used.
However, we certainly had BS and VDE standards operating side by side for a considerable period of the 20th century.
BS546 and schuko were both dropped in favour of BS1363 as it created a new national standard and removed various questionable earthing arrangements with 2 pin schuko plugs in BS546 sockets etc..
Also, the shuttering etc appealled to the safety authorities at the time.
It's exceptionally rare to find a non-BS1363 outlet in normal use here thesedays. BS546 (other than for special purposes) and schuko have completely disappeared. (although you occasionally see long since disconnected round schuko outlets recessed in skirtings / wood work of some older homes. They were simply never removed as it would be too much hassle.
[This message has been edited by djk (edited 01-12-2006).]
