Wiring a European appliance to a UK plug

[AtW]

And whatever you do ...

































DON'T CUT THE BLUE WIRE!

HTH

[Paddy]

I know sweet fa about electrics so apologies if this sounds like a stupid question but I've been told that I can wire a European appliance to a UK plug. Haven't got a clue what wire goes to which terminal in the plug, they are not colour coded. Furthermore, when I was using this in Spain it didn't matter what way round the 2 pin plug went so it would appear it doesn't matter what way round I wire it up - but I know that can't be the case.

Is your European plug two pin or two pin + earth? (Earth could be a pin or a hole)
It is normal to have a double pole switch and double insulation on European equipment thus avoiding polarity. If you have the Euro two pin + earth (three wires) then the live wire is on the right hand side of the European wall socket.

If you only have two pins and no earth and the TWO wires are not colour coded; polarity won't matter.

The above only applies to European equipment, not stuff made in China or USA etc.

Alternatives,
Their as BS plugs that have build in adaptors. (I have one on my laptop lead (£10))
Buy a European socket and fix it in your house. (My Friend’s house has this)
Buy a European extension lead and fit a BS plug to it. (This is what I do)

[HairyArsedBloke]

And whatever you do ...

































DON'T CUT THE BLUE WIRE!

HTH

OR THE RED ONE

[Paddy]

OR THE RED ONE

... run if it starts ticking

[Clippy]

... run if it starts ticking

"I'm too old for this sh!t".

--- Danny Glover ---

[ctdctd]

... run if it starts ticking

No you don't - put it in a bucket of slighty warm water.

You only run if it STOPS ticking.

[SueEllen]

Why don't you just buy a European to UK adaptor and plug the European plug into it?

That's what I've done with my Oz and European acquired stuff. Just avoid buying them in airports or Boots as they are a rip off.

[Diver]

I hope you got the polarity right... a 50 /50 chance otherwise your CD player will run backwards!
Like the test for a working 9v battery, use your tongue to see which of the terminals is live and which is neutral

I have always (Seriously) done that. I stopped earlier this year when I read that a bloke had been killed doing it

I think it may be the cause of the Brain damage

[Paddy]

Slightly off topic: On the old valve radios there was often a notice stating “Do not replace or shorten the mains lead”. I could never work out the reason why until recently when I read that in order to cut costs the mains lead was infact a carbon resistor in order to drop the voltage. That also explains why the leads used to get hot!

[TimberWolf]

Have we got the best leccie?

I know sweet fa about electrics so apologies if this sounds like a stupid question but I've been told that I can wire a European appliance to a UK plug. Haven't got a clue what wire goes to which terminal in the plug, they are not colour coded. Furthermore, when I was using this in Spain it didn't matter what way round the 2 pin plug went so it would appear it doesn't matter what way round I wire it up - but I know that can't be the case.

Probably best to use a proper adaptor.


Has the UK got the best electricity (nice high voltage) and plugs (tough, polarised, fused and an earth wire) in the entire world?

How come we are allowed unearthed two pronged euro style ones in wet environments like bathrooms though