What are these mystery sockets?!

[Natalie]

Hello!

I am a non electrician lady in need of your expert help, pretty please!

I've bought a flat recently - its about 5 years old - and in the living room and bedroom there's these weird sockets.

They're the same size as normal electrical sockets, but they have no on/off switch and the holes are round. They look like european sockets in that they have round holes, except theres 3 holes instead of 2. So no normal british plug will go in there, nor will a european adaptor.

They look like this pin wise:

Link - File:M plug.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

They also seem to have a seperate switch on the wall next to the normal light switch (although all the 'normal' lights are dimmer switches..)

I'm wondering if they're part of some snazzy lighting system, but i've no clue really!

Any ideas people?

If they are lighting sockets, then where am i meant to buy the lights that go with them? Can't find any with this weird plug on.

Thanking you kindly for reading.

Natalie

 

[Phil]

like these?

 

[cagedanimal2010]

cant see the pic, but sounds like 2amp lighting sockets, should be able to pick up plugs for them from diy stores.
hope this helps!

 

[Natalie]

like these?

Yeah, just like those! But a little prettier.

I'd love to know how to get the best out of them, i do like a bit of fancy electronics (even though i know nothing about anything, lol)

Natalie

 

[Phil]

as cagedanimal said you will be able to pick the plugs up at most diy stores for the bedside lamps and floorlamps

 

[Natalie]

cant see the pic, but sounds like 2amp lighting sockets, should be able to pick up plugs for them from diy stores.
hope this helps!

oooo - sounds interesting.

Isn't 2 amps a lot less than a normal socket? I wonder what the point in that is.....is it meant to be for cheap lighting or something?

 

[gutterball]

plug your table lamps into them.

 

[cagedanimal2010]

simple answer is to stop people plugging in there heater when its run off a lighting circuit!

 

[cagedanimal2010]

:d :d :d

 

[Phil]

oooo - sounds interesting.

Isn't 2 amps a lot less than a normal socket? I wonder what the point in that is.....is it meant to be for cheap lighting or something?

yeh sockets are 13amp they are rated to 2 amps so nothing too big gets plugged into them. not cheap lighting just normal lamps ect

 

[mogga]

they save you having to go round turning table/standard lamps off just flick one switch done

 

[Natalie]

Ahh i see. Even i know you shouldn't overload plugs, and i'm daft.

All is clear, i now know what my weird sockets are!

Thank you boys for solving my mystery, you're like the Scooby Doo clan of the electrical world.

Off to buy some plugs and lamps for me now, fancy flat here we come.

Natalie

 

[Phil]

Ahh i see. Even i know you shouldn't overload plugs, and i'm daft.

All is clear, i now know what my weird sockets are!

Thank you boys for solving my mystery, you're like the Scooby Doo clan of the electrical world.

Off to buy some plugs and lamps for me now, fancy flat here we come.

Natalie

not daft, daft is not asking

 

[kung]

you're like the Scooby Doo clan of the electrical world ? lol ive worked in some haunted houses in my time ! anyone up for a scooby snack ?

 

[Jay Sparks]

Ive had a few tinnies whilst watching footy.I could go for some snaks. The thread above is correct, it daft not to ask!