The 5UB1518 is the DELTA i-system white SCHUKO socket with increased touch protection — the functional upgrade over the standard 5UB1511. Under the same 55 × 55 mm titanium white cover plate is a socket engineered so that a child's finger, a paperclip, or a screwdriver shaft cannot reach a live contact. The mechanism is purely mechanical — no electronics, nothing to fail. Recessed contact apertures sit approximately 3 mm deeper than standard, and the pin-entry channels are narrowed so that only a correctly oriented SCHUKO plug (4.8 mm diameter pins) can pass through.

How does increased touch protection actually work?

The VDE 0620 standard for erhöhter Berührungsschutz specifies two mechanical changes to the socket front face. First, the live and neutral contact apertures are smaller in diameter than the standard specification, reducing the range of foreign objects that can enter. Second, the contacts themselves sit deeper inside the housing — the distance from the front face to the first live metal is increased by roughly 3 mm compared to a standard socket. A thin metal object long enough to enter the aperture is almost certainly too wide to pass through the narrowed channel; an object narrow enough to pass through the channel is stopped by the depth before reaching the contact. This is a different safety mechanism from a hinged cover (Klappdeckel), which blocks access with a spring-loaded flap — the 5UB1518 uses neither.

Where is increased touch protection mandatory?

German DIN VDE 0100-410 and the building codes of most federal states require increased touch protection (or an equivalent safety mechanism) in: childcare facilities and kindergartens, primary schools, pediatric wards in hospitals, and any publicly accessible area where unsupervised children are likely. Many residential builders now specify it for all general-purpose sockets regardless — the cost premium is small, and retrofitting later means rewiring. The standard 5UB1511 costs less but limits where the socket can legally be installed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does increased touch protection make the plug harder to insert?

No — a standard SCHUKO plug inserts with the same force. The narrowed apertures are matched to the 4.8 mm pin diameter; the 3 mm contact depth difference is absorbed by the plug's standard pin length. Users do not notice a difference in daily use. The protection is designed to stop foreign objects, not to interfere with correct plug insertion.

What is the difference between increased touch protection and a hinged cover?

They address different requirements. Increased touch protection (5UB1518) provides permanent, maintenance-free safety against accidental contact — no moving parts, no wear mechanism, always active. A hinged cover (Klappdeckel) provides physical dust and splash protection when the socket is not in use, plus some accidental contact protection, but requires the user to manually close it after each use. For child safety, increased touch protection is the specified solution; for dust/wipe-down protection in workshops or kitchens, a hinged cover is the right choice. They can be combined — the 5UB1486 (DELTA profil) bundles both with a labeling field and overvoltage protection.

Can I tell a 5UB1518 from a 5UB1511 after installation?

From the front, they look nearly identical — same titanium white finish, same 55 × 55 mm dimensions. The contact apertures on the 5UB1518 are visibly smaller when examined closely, but the surest identification method is the PN printed on the rear of the insert. Many electricians mark the back of the plate during installation to avoid confusion during later maintenance.