Plug Pin Gauge

plug size gauge

Electrical Safety First, the UKs electrical safety campaign organisation, have recently introduced a new plug pin gauge. This simple piece of laminated card is cleverly designed to help consumers easily identify counterfeit and sub-standard plugs, chargers, and adaptors.


plug should easily slide into the holes

A plug should be able to slide easily into the holes on the card. This counterfeit USB charger can only fit part way before becoming stuck, indicating that the pins are incorrectly spaced.


plug must completely cover the red zone

The plug must also completely cover the red zone on the gauge to meet British Standards (BS1363). The gauge clearly shows this dangerous plug adaptor is an incorrect size and should not be used.


gauge showing plug is not correct size

This counterfeit plug has a fake BSI Kitemark logo and registration number, but the gauge shows it's not correct size. BSI registration numbers can be looked up on the BSI website. The licence number on this plug, KM41231, is not registered.


checking length of pins

The length of the pins and sleeves can also be checked against the gauge on the side of the card.



The Plug Checker can be purchased from Electrical Safety First. Visit their website for more details: www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk