Kenya has introduced updated technical specifications for plugs, socket-outlets, and adaptors to ensure electrical safety and compliance across the market.
Kenya Sets New Safety Standards for Plugs and Sockets
All plugs, socket-outlets, and adaptors must meet the DEAS 495 series.
What changed
Fused plugs must comply with DEAS 495-1: 2024 specifications.
Socket outlets must meet DEAS 495-2: 2024 requirements.
Fused connection units must align with DEAS 495-4: 2024.
Who it affects
Manufacturers of rewirable and non-rewirable units must ensure compliance.
Importers must verify that products meet the DEAS 495 series.
Compliance Requirements for Plugs, Socket-Outlets, and Adaptors in Kenya under Updated East African Standards
Kenya has adopted the East African Standards (EAS) 495 series (2024) to regulate the technical specifications, safety, and compliance of plugs, socket-outlets, adaptors, and fused connection units. These standards are mandatory for manufacturers, importers, and distributors to ensure electrical safety in household, commercial, and light industrial applications. Below is a structured breakdown of the key compliance requirements under the relevant DEAS 495-2:2024 and DEAS 495-4:2024 standards.
1. Scope and Applicability
The standards apply to:
- 13 A switched and unswitched shuttered socket-outlets for a.c. circuits (≤ 250 V r.m.s., 50 Hz)1.
- 13 A fused connection units (switched/unswitched) for appliances in a.c. circuits (≤ 250 V r.m.s., 50 Hz)2.
- Plugs, adaptors, and connection units complying with EAS 495-1 and EAS 495-31.
- Electric vehicle (EV) charging socket-outlets (additional requirements under EAS 495-2)1.
- Portable and fixed installations, including flush, surface, and panel-mounted units1.
Exclusions:
- Connection units with screwless terminals for external conductors (specific types)2.
- Non-shuttered socket-outlets (not covered under these standards).
2. Key Compliance Requirements
A. Technical Specifications
| Requirement | Standard | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage and Current Ratings | EAS 495-21, EAS 495-42 | Socket-outlets and connection units must be rated for ≤ 250 V r.m.s., 50 Hz and 13 A. Markings must include rated current (A), voltage (V), and nature of supply (a.c.)1. |
| Shuttered Socket-Outlets | EAS 495-21 | Mandatory for all 13 A socket-outlets to prevent accidental contact with live parts1. |
| Fuse Links | EAS 495-42, EAS 496 | Fused connection units must incorporate fuse links complying with EAS 4962. Fixed fused socket-outlets must display "MAX. 13A" on the engagement surface1. |
| Cable Compatibility | EAS 495-21, IEC 60227-5 | Fixed socket-outlets must use cables complying with IEC 60227 (copper conductors). Portable units may use flexible cords per IEC 60227-5 or IEC 602451. |
| Mounting and Fixing | EAS 495-21, EAS 203 | – Flush-mounted: Fixing screws (M3.5) at 60.3 mm ± 0.2 mm (1-gang), 120.6 mm ± 0.3 mm (2-gang), or 180.9 mm ± 0.4 mm (3-gang) centers1. – Surface-mounted: No. 6 wood screws1. |
| IP Rating (if declared) | EAS 495-21 | Socket-outlets may declare IP ratings for plug-inserted or no-plug conditions1. |
| USB-Integrated Socket-Outlets | EAS 495-21 | Must display rated output voltage and current for each USB circuit1. |
B. Classification of Socket-Outlets
Socket-outlets are classified under EAS 495-21 as follows:
| Category | Options |
|---|---|
| Number of Gangs | Single / Multiple |
| Switching Capability | Switched / Unswitched |
| Fusing Capability | Fused / Unfused |
| Mounting Method | Fixed flush / Fixed surface / Panel mounting / Portable rewirable / Portable non-rewirable |
| Indicator Type | With indicator lamp / Without indicator lamp |
| Terminal Type | Screw type / Screwless (rigid conductors) / Screwless (flexible conductors) / Screwless (rigid + flexible) |
C. Marking and Labeling Requirements
All socket-outlets and connection units must display the following permanent markings1:
- Rated current (e.g., "13 A").
- Rated voltage (e.g., "250 V").
- Nature of supply (e.g., "a.c.").
- Standard number:
- EAS 495-2 for standard socket-outlets.
- EAS 495-2/A for portable socket-outlets.
- EAS 495-2/EV for electric vehicle charging socket-outlets.
- Fused units: "FUSE" or "FUSED" or the fuse symbol on the engagement surface.
- USB circuits: Output voltage and current per circuit.
Location of markings:
- Fixed units: On the engagement surface or accessible external part.
- Portable units: On the external surface (non-rewirable units must also display the maximum current for the attached cord)1.
D. Safety and Testing Requirements
| Test/Requirement | Standard | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Resistance to Ageing | EAS 495-21 | Socket-outlets must withstand 70 °C ± 5 °C for 168 h in a ventilated heating cabinet1. |
| Humidity and Enclosure Protection | EAS 495-21 | Compliance with IEC 60884-1 for protection against moisture and ingress1. |
| Tracking Resistance | IEC 601121 | Solid insulating materials must meet proof and comparative tracking indices per IEC 601121. |
| Mechanical Strength | EAS 495-21 | Fuse link clips must pass insertion/withdrawal tests1. |
| Overcurrent Protection | IEC 609341 | Circuit breakers in socket-outlets for furniture/educational furniture must comply with IEC 60934 (non-self-resetting type)1. |
| Electronic Components | Annex H (EAS 495-2)1 | Must conform to Annex H of EAS 495-21. |
E. Normative References (Mandatory Compliance)
The following standards are indispensable for compliance2, 1:
- EAS 495-1: 13 A fused plugs (rewirable/non-rewirable).
- EAS 495-3: Adaptors.
- EAS 496: General-purpose fuse links for domestic use.
- EAS 203: Boxes for enclosure of electrical accessories.
- IEC 60112: Tracking indices for insulating materials.
- IEC 60227-5: PVC-insulated flexible cables (cords).
- IEC 60884-1: General requirements for plugs and socket-outlets.
- IEC 60934: Circuit breakers for equipment (CBE).
3. Regulatory Oversight and Enforcement
- Authority: The East African Standards Committee (EASC) under the East African Community (EAC) develops and enforces these standards1.
- Kenya’s Implementation: The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) adopts EAS as Kenyan Standards (KS), making them legally binding under the Standards Act (Cap. 496).
- Conformity Assessment: Manufacturers/importers must submit products for type testing and certification by KEBS before market entry.
- Penalties: Non-compliance may result in product recalls, fines, or prosecution under Kenya’s Consumer Protection Act (2012) and Energy Act (2019).
4. Summary Answer
Kenya’s updated technical specifications for plugs, socket-outlets, and adaptors are governed by DEAS 495-2:2024 and DEAS 495-4:2024, which mandate:
- 13 A shuttered socket-outlets for a.c. circuits (≤ 250 V, 50 Hz), with classifications for switching, fusing, and mounting1.
- Fused connection units incorporating EAS 496-compliant fuse links2.
- Mandatory markings (rated current/voltage, standard number, fuse status) and cable compatibility (IEC 60227)1.
- Safety tests for ageing, humidity, tracking resistance, and mechanical strength1.
- EV charging socket-outlets and USB-integrated units must meet additional labeling requirements1.
All products must comply with EAS 495 series and referenced IEC/EAS standards2, 1. Enforcement is led by KEBS under Kenya’s Standards Act and Energy Act, with penalties for non-compliance1. Manufacturers and importers must ensure certification before market distribution.
Sources
- ↩ DEAS 495-2: 2024, Plugs, socket-outlets, adaptors and connection units — Part 2: Specification for switched and unswitched socket outlets https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2025/TBT/RWA/25_00115_00_e.pdf
- ↩ DEAS 495-4: 2024, Plugs, socket-outlets, adaptors, and connection units — Part 4: fused connection units: Switched and unswitched https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2025/TBT/RWA/25_00128_00_e.pdf