Metal clad socket in 20A 2 pole, 20A 3 pole and 30A 3 pole — flange-mounted heavy-duty socket with a cover cap, for ACs, pumps, machines and site boards.
- Metal sleeve around the contacts, with an earth contact strip on the side of the sleeve.
- 20A 2 pole socket marked L, N and earth, 20A 250V.
- Cover cap closes the socket when nothing is plugged in.
- Round mounting flange with fixing holes for a box, panel or enclosure.
- 3 pole versions (20A and 30A) have three contacts and are typically used for three-phase equipment.
- Pairs with our metal clad plug of the same rating and pole count.
- Cap colour and style may vary — our photos show two versions of the 20A 2 pole socket.
A metal clad socket is the fixed half of a heavy-duty plug-and-socket connection for 20A and 30A loads — air conditioners, heaters, pumps, workshop machines and temporary site boards. The metal sleeve guides the plug in and carries the earth contact, and a cap closes the opening when nothing is plugged in.
The 20A 2 pole socket (as pictured) is marked L, N and earth, 20A 250V — for single-phase loads. The 3 pole sockets, in 20A and 30A, have three contacts and are typically used for three-phase equipment.
The socket is not a switch or a breaker: feed it from its own MCB-protected circuit, and switch off before plugging in or pulling out a heavy load. For a ready enclosure, see our 20A SPN AC box.
Where to use it
- AC points — a dedicated 20A socket for the air conditioner.
- Pumps, heaters and heavy appliances.
- Workshops and small factories.
- Temporary distribution boards on construction sites.
How to install
- Switch off the supply at the MCB that feeds the circuit.
- Fix the socket flange to the enclosure or panel with screws through the fixing holes.
- Connect the supply conductors as marked on the socket, and connect the earth wire securely.
- Fit the cap, switch on and test with the matching metal clad plug.
Electrical work should be done by a licensed electrician with the supply switched off. Feed the socket from its own MCB-protected circuit, with cable sized for the rating.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a metal clad socket used for?
- For heavy plug-in loads of 20A or 30A — ACs, pumps, heaters, machines and site boards — together with a matching metal clad plug.
- 2 pole or 3 pole — which do I need?
- 2 pole (L and N, plus earth) is for single-phase equipment; the 20A 2 pole socket is marked 250V. 3 pole sockets have three contacts and are typically used for three-phase equipment.
- Does the socket have a switch?
- No. Switch and protect the circuit with an MCB — our 20A SPN AC box combines this type of socket with a window for an MCB.
- Is the plug included?
- No — the socket is sold alone. See our metal clad plugs in the same ratings.
- Can it be used outdoors?
- Mount it in a suitable enclosure and keep the cap closed. For places exposed to rain, use a weatherproof enclosure.
Buy metal clad sockets online from Electric Market, Chennai. For site, contractor or bulk quantities, contact us for a quote.