Outlet

Socket Outlet (3-Pin UK Type G)

The 3-pole interface that lets you plug in an appliance — and the reason your board has RCD protection.

Photorealistic socket outlet (3-pin uk type g)
Real part — tap a marker

Socket Outlet (3-Pin UK Type G)

The 3-pole interface that lets you plug in an appliance — and the reason your board has RCD protection.

Terminals
  • Live (L)
  • Neutral (N)
  • Earth (E)
  • Terminal L/N/E screw-block behind the face
  • Shutter — blocks the live and neutral holes
  • Live/neutral pins — carry the working current
  • Earth pin — the longest, opens the shutter
  • Terminal block — live, neutral, earth lands
Cutaway of a three-pin socket outlet showing the sprung shutter plate, contact tubes, rear terminals and cable clamp
Cutaway — tap a marker
⚡ Meet it in a circuit

Terms used here

Defined in the glossary — each one opens at its own entry.

⚠ Safety note

A UK socket is fused or supervised by the consumer unit's MCB, and earth is mandatory for the circuit. Don't 'bridge' the earth with the neutral — the entire protective system relies on a solid earth return.

More components
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Now wire it for real.

Set Socket Outlet (3-Pin UK Type G) into a live circuit, inject a fault, and watch the protection respond — all in your browser.

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