Single 13A Socket Outlet
A single 13A switched socket to BS 1363. The basic socket symbol — a semicircle with a line indicating switched. UK standard for general-purpose socket circuits.
Used in: General-purpose outlets, behind appliances, individual radial circuits, kitchen specifics.
Double 13A Socket Outlet
A twin 13A switched socket — two outlets on one back box. Drawn as two semicircles back-to-back. Standard outlet for living spaces, bedrooms and offices.
Used in: Bedrooms (typically 2-4 doubles), living rooms, kitchens, offices — the workhorse outlet.
Fused Spur (Unswitched)
A Fused Connection Unit (FCU) with internal fuse providing local protection for a fixed appliance. Unswitched version — no front rocker. Used where switching is not needed at the spur.
Used in: Boilers, extractor fans, central heating pumps, doorbells, fixed wireless access points.
Switched Fused Spur
A Fused Connection Unit with a front-panel switch + neon indicator. Allows local isolation of the fixed appliance without resorting to the consumer unit. Most common FCU type.
Used in: Towel rails, immersion heaters, garden lighting, alarms, garage door operators.
Unswitched Spur (Non-Fused)
A connection outlet without integral fuse — relies on the upstream circuit fuse or breaker for protection. Often a flex outlet plate for permanently-wired flex-connected appliances.
Used in: Flex outlets behind built-in ovens (separately fused), wall-hung TVs, fixed kitchen kit.
Cooker Outlet (45A)
A 45A cooker connection point — usually a 45A DP switch with optional 13A socket above the worktop, feeding the cooker outlet plate behind the appliance.
Used in: Electric range cookers, double ovens, hobs over 7.2 kW; supplied on its own radial circuit.
Shaver Socket
A bathroom-compliant socket with built-in isolating transformer to BS EN 61558-2-5. Permitted in bathroom zone 2 because the transformer galvanically isolates the user from earth.
Used in: Bathrooms, en-suites, hotel rooms — the only socket type permitted in bathroom zones.
USB Socket
A 13A socket outlet with integrated USB-A or USB-C charging ports. Combines mains and low-voltage charging in one back box. Specify USB-C PD for modern devices.
Used in: Bedside, desks, hotel rooms, kitchen islands — anywhere phones and tablets need charging.
Data Socket (RJ45)
A structured cabling outlet to BS EN 50173. Cat 5e (1 Gb/s), Cat 6 (1 Gb/s longer reach), or Cat 6A (10 Gb/s). Terminated in an RJ45 module.
Used in: Office desks, WiFi access points, CCTV camera locations, hard-wired smart home devices.
Telephone Socket
A telephone master or extension socket. UK master socket has BT engineer test socket; extensions are wired to the master. Increasingly replaced by RJ45 data sockets.
Used in: Legacy phone wiring, fax machines, alarm phone diallers, FTTC modems.
TV Aerial Socket
A coaxial outlet for TV aerial, FM/DAB radio or satellite. Multi-output back boxes can combine TV + FM + satellite in one face plate.
Used in: Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens; satellite outlets need separate F-type connectors.
Comms Cabinet Outlet
A communications/networking cabinet — typically a 12U or 18U wall-mounted rack housing the patch panel, network switch, router and structured-cabling termination.
Used in: Loft, plant room, under-stairs; central termination point for all data sockets in a building.
EV Charger Outlet
An electric vehicle charge point to BS 7671 Section 722. Typically 7.2 kW single-phase or 22 kW three-phase, with Type 2 (Mennekes) socket or tethered lead.
Used in: Driveways, car parks, fleet depots; needs dedicated circuit + Type A RCD or RDC-DD per 722.531.
Outdoor IP66 Socket
A weatherproof socket to IP66 ingress protection. Hinged cover seals against dust and powerful water jets. Must be RCD protected per BS 7671.
Used in: Gardens, sheds, outdoor power tools, Christmas lights, pond pumps, EV charging from a standard socket.
Floor Socket (Floor Box)
A flush-mounted socket installed in the floor — typically a floor box with two 13A sockets and data outlets. Used in open-plan offices where wall outlets are too distant.
Used in: Open-plan offices, conference rooms, retail floor displays, exhibition halls.