Why earthed plugs don’t belong in fixed electrical installations?
Earthed plugs – widely known under the registered trademark Schuko® plug – are an essential part of everyday life. Whether in homes, gardens or offices, they provide a convenient way to connect electrical devices quickly and flexibly.
But this flexibility is exactly the reason why they are not suitable for permanent electrical installations.
Electrical systems can generally be divided into two distinct categories:
1. Flexible use (device connection)
This is where earthed plugs are designed to be used. They allow devices to be connected, moved and disconnected as needed.
2. Permanent building installation
This area follows strict technical regulations, such as DIN VDE 0100, and includes:
These installations are designed for durability, reliability and long-term safety.
Problems occur when earthed plugs are used outside their intended purpose, especially in installations that are meant to be permanent but are treated as temporary.
Common examples include:
While these solutions may seem convenient, they introduce significant risks:
Potential cable overload (cables and plug systems are not designed for continuous high loads).
Increased contact resistance (each additional connection point can lead to heat generation):
Failure of protective disconnection (in fault conditions, a residual current device (RCD) may not trip reliably).
The key to safe and compliant installations is simple: Keep both application areas strictly separated.
Only by maintaining this distinction can electrical systems remain safe, efficient and compliant.
For permanent connections in buildings, dedicated systems are required. Installation connectors compliant with DIN EN 61535 are specifically designed for this purpose.
They provide:
Click here to view our installation connectors: Product finder
But this flexibility is exactly the reason why they are not suitable for permanent electrical installations.
Two fundamentally different application areas
Electrical systems can generally be divided into two distinct categories:
1. Flexible use (device connection)
This is where earthed plugs are designed to be used. They allow devices to be connected, moved and disconnected as needed.
2. Permanent building installation
This area follows strict technical regulations, such as DIN VDE 0100, and includes:
- permanently installed wiring
- clearly structured circuits
- standard-compliant connection technology
These installations are designed for durability, reliability and long-term safety.
The risks of misuse
Problems occur when earthed plugs are used outside their intended purpose, especially in installations that are meant to be permanent but are treated as temporary.
Common examples include:
- using extension leads as a permanent power supply
- daisy-chaining multiple power strips
While these solutions may seem convenient, they introduce significant risks:
Potential cable overload (cables and plug systems are not designed for continuous high loads).
Increased contact resistance (each additional connection point can lead to heat generation):
Failure of protective disconnection (in fault conditions, a residual current device (RCD) may not trip reliably).
A clear separation ensures safety
The key to safe and compliant installations is simple: Keep both application areas strictly separated.
- Installation connectors belong in building installations
- Earthed plugs belong to portable devices used in homes and gardens
Only by maintaining this distinction can electrical systems remain safe, efficient and compliant.
The right solution for professional installations
For permanent connections in buildings, dedicated systems are required. Installation connectors compliant with DIN EN 61535 are specifically designed for this purpose.
They provide:
- durable and secure connections
- compliance with relevant standards
- a structured and reliable installation system
Click here to view our installation connectors: Product finder
