SASO2815 2021 is the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organisation (SASO) standard for 'Safety requirements for extension cord products - 230V/13A'.
This updated standard for 2021 is based on BS 1363-2:2016 '13A plugs, sockets, adapters and connection units part, specification for 13A switched and unswitched sockets' and IEC 60884-2-7 'Special requirements for wired extension sets in sockets for domestic and similar uses'. SASO2815 2021 will replace SASO2815 2010 "Safety requirements for cable extension sets".
I. Let's take a look at the specifics of SASO2815 2021.
1. Firstly the scope of the standard.
SASO2815 2021 standard applies to cable extensions (fusion plugs, 3-core flexible cables and portable sockets) for domestic, commercial and light industrial use, with reference to safety in normal use. The cable extensions are suitable for the connection of electrical appliances, sound and vision equipment, luminaires, etc.
2. Secondly the test conditions of the standard.
It is important to note that the product to be used for testing needs to be characterised by the general details of the larger product, and that test samples cannot be prepared for the sole purpose of testing, and thus the test samples themselves are not representative.
Unless otherwise specified in this standard, the product should be tested under normal conditions in accordance with BS 1363-2, clause 5.
No additional requirements shall be placed on the product components of the trailing board, including plugs, current protection and cables, and the relevant tests shall not be repeated if the product complies with the SASO standard.
The results of any testing shall be tested in accordance with the relevant clauses in this standard and the number and order of samples referred to in 5.1 of the reference standard BS1363-2.
3. Requirements for product materials, design and assemblers
The product should be designed and assembled in such a way as to ensure that its performance is stable and reliable under normal conditions of use, and that it is not dangerous for the user.
The components of extension sockets, including plugs, portable sockets, cables, etc., should be fully compliant with the relevant SASO standards for these components and be validated.
The materials of the components should be referred to the following table of correspondence between the different components and materials. And note that:
Insulation materials should not be hygroscopic in order to prevent the formation of carbonised lines in the product, which could cause a short circuit hazard.
Parts containing ferrous components should be specially treated to prevent rusting.
Parts should pass all the tests of this and the reference standards and comply with the standards passed by the tests.
4. Lastly, the requirements for terminal equipment.
(1) Plugs
Plug terminals should have effective clamping and fixing devices to connect the conductors so that an effective electrical connection can be made. All other joints within the portable socket should be soldered, crimped or similar permanent joints. The plugs are to be checked for conformity by reference to the inspection or relevant test in clause 11 of standard BS1363-2. The plugs are required to be fitted with a fuse inside with a fuse rating of not more than 13A and to pass the relevant test in BS1362.
(2) Portable sockets
The portable sockets referred to here comprise the following models.
Single or multiple holes
With/without switch
If equipped with a switch, it should be double pole. Compliance should be checked by the reference standard in BS1363-2.
With/without indicator light
With/without USB charging socket.
If a USB charging socket is provided, the socket needs to comply with the characteristics of a USB socket as specified in reference standard BS1363-2.
With/without surge protector.
Multiple portable sockets should have sufficient spacing between two adjacent sockets to ensure that adjacent plugs are inserted without overlapping. The minimum distance between two adjacent sockets, i.e. from the right edge of one socket to the left edge of the neutral pinhole of the next socket should be 22MM.
SASO2815 2021 also provides a description of what needs to be marked on the product for extension sockets, including the following ones:
Country of origin
the name, trademark or logo of the manufacturer or relevant supplier
SASO standard (SASO 2815)
Rated current
Rated voltage
Nature of supply
II. Through the interpretation of the above, it is easy to see that compared to SASO 2815 2010, this new version 2021 requires special attention to：
1. All the holes of the extension sockets must be equipped with an overload protector. This is a more stringent safety requirement than the original 2010 version, which required overload protectors for more than three holes. It should be noted that the overload protector mentioned here does not mean that several holes need to be equipped with several overload protectors, but that the whole product needs to be equipped with overload protection regardless of the number of holes.
2. The change in the rated voltage from 220VAC to 230VAC is not due to an update of the SASO standard itself, but to a change in the local voltage values in Saudi Arabia, which has resulted in a change in the corresponding parameters of the standard.
3. It is easy to see from the above reference standard system that the original 2010 version was based on the IEC standard system as the testing standard, whereas in this 2021 version, the reference system has changed to the BS system. Therefore, some specific testing parameters need to be confirmed with the laboratory in advance.