Guidance on electricity for classroom checklist

Sockets & Switches

Sockets and switches need to be undamaged (no cracks, missing parts, loose parts or burn marks) and the switch mechanism must have a positive action (e.g. requires a small level of force to change position, and once moved remains in the new position). For 3-pin socket outlets check for broken shutters on the live and neutral pin openings (these are the horizontal openings, the vertical (earth) pin opening does not have a shutter).

wall-mounted metal double socket outlet with plastic portion partially pushed into the box

wall-mounted plastic socket outlet with loose faceplate exposing interior of box

recessed single socket outlet, with brutn marks between the plug pin holes

pressed in plastic insert

loose faceplate

socket outlet with burn marks from overheating plug

close-up of intact shutters in UK style socket outlet face

plastic trunking with gap between plastic outlet plate and infill cover.

13 Amp plug socket with intact shutters

trunking infill has left gap into which small fingers could gain access or remove infill entirely, making access to live conductors much easier.

Fixed Appliances

Fixed appliance casings need to be checked for obvious damage (panels broken, missing bits or dented). If the fixed appliance is connected via a flexible cable to a fused outlet check for damage to sheathing and movement of the flex where it enters fused outlet and appliance.

switched fused spur outlet - check for movement of flex where it enters face plate

Portable Appliances

Portable applances are any electrical appliances which are powered through plugging them into a mains socket outlet. The casing should be checked for obvious damage (panels broken, missing bits or dented). The power lead should be checked for damage to sheathing and movement of the flex where it enters both the appliance and 3-pin plug. Check the plug for physical damage and missing, loose or bent pins, and signs of overheating. Any taping is most likely to cover an issue (poorly fitted plug, abraded flex etc.). Appliances should not be used in this condition and must be removed from service to be repaired or disposed of.

black three core electrical flex which has been abraded to expose inner insulation of the neutral wire. The brown insulation of the neutral wire has also been abraded showing copper core

close-up of black moulded UK-style plug with a bent conductor pin

close-up of white plastic UK plug with burning marks around one of the conductor pins

abraded flex showing exposed inner core insulation - in some cases inner insulation will have been abraded to point where copper core is visible

plug with bent pin

plug showing early stages of burning (note dissolved plastic on pin)

plastic UK-style plug which has had black insulating tape wound around the the join in the two halves of the plug and on the flex entering the plug casing

moulded white plug in wall outlet with flex bent at 90 degrees due to promimity of chair under socket outlet

Taped plug and flex - likely hiding issues

Plug lead being subjected to extreme deviation (right angle) due to location of socket in relation to furniture

Extension Leads

Extension leads should be checked as per portable appliances. Extension leads are designed to operate up to a particular current rating (mainly 10 or 13 Amperes (Amps). Exceeding the lead's maximum amperage is likely to result in a fire. Check the rating of the extension lead (note reeled extension leads will show two ratings one with the extension cable fully wound and the other fully unwound). Check that the combined amperage of any appliances which could be plugged into the lead at once is below the lead's stated maximum amperage. To work out the amperage for an appliance take its stated wattage and divide by the mains voltage (240v in th UK).

Extension leads must not be "daisy chained" (e.g. one extension lead plugged into another). The wall outlet the first extension lead is plugged into has a maximum rating of 13 Amps, the more outlets on extension leads the greater the risk that it will be overloaded. Extension leads must be supported if they would otherwise put load on the socket outlet.

close-up of UK-style reel extension lead faceplate showing different current capacities depending on if the lead is unwound or wound when in use

three extension leads which have been daisy-chained in a tangle of flexes under a desk

extension reel variable amperage capacity

daisy chained extension leads, with multiple appliances plugged in

Adapter Blocks

These devices plug into the mains outlet and have multiple further outlets on their faces. These devices should not be used as they can cause physical damage to the internal parts of the socket outlet, they also can cause overloading in the same way as an extension lead can.

socket outlets with adapter blocks inserted and multiple appliances plugged into the blocks

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