Nicos Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 A simple question.... can you easily swap a 3 pin english plug ( eg for a lamp or iron) to a french one?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterG Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Yep, no problem. I did this with many of my appliances I brought over. However, French plugs are not fused as the are all on circuit breaker systems. Any of the Brico sheds sell them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkkent Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 You do not have to worry about which pin is live and which is neutral. Both sides of French supplies are switched at the fuseboard and most appliances are double insulated. You will probably find that - for convenience in manufacture if nothing else - British appliances are also double insulated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassis Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 When buying French plugs for earthed appliances, make sure you get the round ones (not the flat ones which are, sorry for stating the obvious [:D], two pin unearthed). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicos Posted March 13, 2007 Author Share Posted March 13, 2007 Thanks for this info.Is it just me - or do all 2 pin plugs fit loosely into thesocket? I have memories of trying to iron and use a hairdryier, and theplug dropping out of the socket every few minutes!! ( think anextention lead was the answer to that!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassis Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 They do wobble rather. Worse in old sockets that in new ones. Our neighbours could not believe the size of British plugs when we moved here. [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Smith Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 There are some sockets (old ones) which seem to be just slightly smaller than modern ones. Can be a pain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Are there any dangers in changing plugs for appliances bought in France to use in UK? e.g. we have bought a raclette and a tajine here in France for our children in the UK. When trying to change the plugs I found that the French wires were not colour coded. I could tell which was the earth wire, but I could not differentiate between the live and neutral wires. I copped out, left the plugs on, and bought adaptors for French to UK.Thanks in advance,David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Smith Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Are they 2 pin or earthed? In a recent thread I posted details of how to buy simple plug adaptors for 2-pin French plugs. Or just change them - after all, if it is a 2-pin plug, what difference can it make? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Hi Dick,They were both three pin plugs. I am a liittle concerned as I am not sure if the adaptors can manage the power.David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Smith Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Don't use adaptors if you can help it. I think that I knew once (if you see what I mean) but it's been a long time since I did it! I'm sure if I can't find it then someone else will be along in a minute.Found it!http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/734690/ShowPost.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Thanks for that Dick,I read the thread quickly, but I think I will have to study it tomorrow.David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Smith Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 If your electrical competence is anything like mine I suggest you print it off and keep it by you when re-plugging! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicos Posted March 14, 2007 Author Share Posted March 14, 2007 It's certainly one thing you don't want to be getting wrong!! (free perm or not!!)[:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 [quote user="David"]Are there any dangers in changing plugs for appliances bought in France to use in UK? e.g. we have bought a raclette and a tajine here in France for our children in the UK. When trying to change the plugs I found that the French wires were not colour coded. I could tell which was the earth wire, but I could not differentiate between the live and neutral wires. I copped out, left the plugs on, and bought adaptors for French to UK.Thanks in advance,David[/quote]So long as the appliance does not have an on/off switch, and if it is French bought it almost certainly wont, then you do not need to differentiate between the phase and neutral. This is also true if the on/off switch is double pole i.e switches the live and neutral.To explain: The only possible safetey implication in swapping live for neutral is if all of the following were to occur.The appliance had a single pole on/off switch and someone left it plugged in, switched off (so they thought) and removed the cover to poke around inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Thanks very much J.R.Simple and clear advice, and even I understand it.I had wondered whether it might be possible to unplug the appliance, take it apart, and check the wiring with a continuity tester.However, from your explanation this seems to be unnecessary.Many thanks,David. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 [quote user="David"]Thanks very much J.R.Simple and clear advice, and even I understand it.David.[/quote] Not quite sure how that happened, usually even I cannot understand my posts the next day. I shall have to go through my empties and see what yesterdays red wine was! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicos Posted March 16, 2007 Author Share Posted March 16, 2007 Thanks-feel happier now![:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now