Does it violate US wiring code to have non-standard outlets?

Question

Note: this is entirely theoretical. I have no (current) plans to actually do this.

Would I violate any state/national building/electrical codes if I installed BS 1363 (UK plug/socket) sockets on a 240v circuit in an ordinary residence? In addition to the existing 120V circuit with NEMA sockets.

For the sake of the question, assume that the goal is to wire the 240V sockets as closely to the way they'd be wired in a UK house as possible. (mostly with respect to safety features)

Failing that, what features of a standard BS 1363 outlet can I implement which differ from a permanently-attached NEMA-6 to BS 1363 adapter?

And most importantly; What are the safety implications of installing/using a setup like this?

Inspired by this question about running 240v circuits and looking into the NEMA plug types available in the US.

Answer 1

Mutually Incompatible Certification Schemes

The primary problem with what you describe (installing a foreign-standards receptacle into a North American electrical system) is while foreign receptacles of reputable make (vs. some Cheese-pipeline special) are going to have a third-party certification, that certification is going to stem from a different certification scheme than the OSHA NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) scheme we have in the US. For your BS1363 receptacle example, the third-party certifications for these receptacles are going to come from an IECEE (IEC System for Mutual Recognition of Test Certificates for Electrical Equipment) Certified Body (the European analogue to a US NRTL), as seen in this example for a Legrand Arteor BS1363 receptacle. Most US Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs, aka local building inspectors) will not recognize such a certification without prior research and written agreement (at minimum, some may simply flatly refuse to recognize anything that does not fall within the OSHA NRTL scheme), just as Building Standards in the UK isn't going to wave through say an Intertek ETL listing as "approved" without looking into things further.

Parts do exist for this...

However, amazingly enough, there is such a thing as a switched BS1363 receptacle on a North American yoke; I contacted Leviton tech support, and while you'd have to contact them via email or webform I presume to obtain the certificates, the tech support contact did indicate that the part linked has a third-party certification through the IECEE scheme, so it wouldn't be a completely lost cause for a written AHJ variance.

...but likely aren't needed, either

However, many appliances intended for global markets use an IEC appliance coupler and mating detachable power cord. In these cases, there's no reason to use a foreign receptacle type when the appliance can simply be fitted with a NEMA 6-15P instead; even if the original plug was molded on, chopping the plug off, stripping back the cord, and field-fitting a NEMA 6-15P would be more reasonable than trying to go through the hoops of getting an AHJ to sign off on having foreign receptacles permanently wired into one's house.

As to that L-L vs L-N thing...

There are two other differences between US 240V and IEC 230-240V as well; while mains frequency (60Hz vs 50Hz) is one of them, it's not feasible to convert between the two, and fewer and fewer appliances are frequency-sensitive in this day and age due to the replacement of electromechanical drum timers and capacitor-start AC induction motors with electronic controls and inverter motor drives. In any case, if the appliance says "50-60Hz" or "47-63Hz" on its nameplate, than it has been tested to run on both mains frequencies and will not have an issue with the change.

The other difference is that US 240V power is Line to Line (two hots and a ground), while IEC-style 230-240V is Line to Neutral (hot, neutral, ground). While a NEMA-style dry-type distribution transformer can be wired to convert between the two, the use of 240V-to-ground power in the US requires that 240V straight rated breakers be used for overcurrent protection (vs the 120/240V slash rating found on standard North American circuit breakers). The good news is that 240V straight rated breakers are made, although their availability depends on which make/model of panel you're using (offhand, Square-D Homeline is the only panel line that does not have straight rated 240V breakers available for it); however, special functions such as GFCI and AFCI are not available in 240V straight ratings, which puts a hard limit on where this adaptation can be done.

Answer 2

There is no listing for non-standard receptacles, so at a basic level, it would require "examination" by the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) in your area under NEC Article 90.7 to make sure it doesn't violate the basic "suitable for use" rules in Article 110.3. You might find an AHJ who will accept the IEC certifications as adequate, you might not, there is no way to know in advance. Most states have specific rules as to what third party listing agencies they will accept, often deferring to a list maintained by OSHA, referred to as the NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Labs) list. But unfortunately, most IEC devices do NOT undergo testing by any third party listing agency, manufacturers can "self certify" to any applicable standards, something that we in North America don't accept. I would venture to say that MOST inspectors here are aware of this and will not accept IEC devices, but again, you can't know without asking THE one that is going to inspect your house.

All of this is predicated on you having it inspected at all. If it's just you living in your house, you can do what you want. But if there is a fire, injury or loss associated with the device, your insurance company may use the unauthorized installation of it to avoid having to pay damages. Then when you go to sell your house some day in the future, you would have to remove the devices or disclose to the buyers that there was unpermitted electrical work done, something that scares a lot of people.

Another aspect is the equipment you intend to plug into this device. First is the 50Hz / 60Hz issue; if there are any motors inside, they may not work correctly. Then there is the fact that 240V here in North America is Line to Line, 230V overseas is Line to Neutral, with the Neutral referenced to Earth (ground) the way we do with 120V. While normally they would have the Neutral and Earth separated, in rare occasions the Neutral of equipment is bonded to earth inside. In that case, it's impossible to connect it here, it would be a dead short to ground.

Answer 3

A little late to this game but I think it's worth adding. It's ok for a question here to be generalized to some extent, so it can be applied to more than one situation. But it's not ok for a question to be so theoretical it cannot be applied anywhere. This question is purely theoretical. There is no situation where installing British power sockets in the walls of an inhabited American building is a practical solution to any problem.

"UK appliance in US" problems have many forms and many solutions. Just for example, a NEMA type 5 plug on your gadget solves some problems. A UK power strip with a NEMA type 5 plug may suit some situations. A simple plug adapter with no voltage conversion may suit some situations. There are lots more. But putting a UK socket in the walls of a building in the USA is never one. It is the best solution to nothing, and therefore, questions about implementation and code exceptions have no place.

Answer 4

The superior BS 1363 Type G socket - Leviton's model BSRDP 240v socket. It's double pole switched which is of importance in the USA, since the 240v power system has two (180 degree opposed) 120 volt lines. Since there's no neutral in the 240 volt circuits, both sides are live at 120 volts potential at any given time.

Below, the Leviton BSRDP 240v BS 1363 Type G socket.

USA/Canada can simply change over to a superior socket and fused plug for the 240v outlets immediately. Then gradually replace the 120v outlets and appliances. Also move to 240v lighting to make the house all 240v. Saudi Arabia, a country of 27 million, is moving over away from the US system to the European 240v line and neutral using British type G plugs.

Below the BS 1363 Type G socket: