Finding the Correct UK to EU Plug Adaptors! Help

[Rich1972]

Hello all.

I'm on the verge of purchasing a load of plug adaptors for my fridge, TV, laptop, microwave, etc. etc. so I can use them when I move to France in a few weeks' time. The type I want to buy are described as:

UK 3 pin socket to 2 pin european mains plug adaptor.
Suitable for use with both UK mains plugs and mains power supply adaptors, rated up to 7.5 amps

Is up to 7.5 amps strong enough for things like a microwave and TV? I'm a dunce when it comes to electrical stuff. I don't want to buy them only to discover they were useless and wouldn't operate a TV, etc.

Thanks

Rich  [:)]

[Dick Smith]

My advice would be: don't.

Buy some small UK extension cables, put earthed French plugs on them. That way you have confidence that the whole thing doesn't melt or catch fire when you put a continuous heavy load through it.

Better yet, if you are moving to France permanently (or the items are) - change the plugs.

[Rich1972]

Hi! Is changing the plugs to two-pin easy? I've changed plugs in the UK so it's not an unknown quantity. Is it basically the same set up?

Rich

[Dick Smith]

Easy. I've done it loads of times and I've still got eight fingers and an eyebrow.

An electrician will be along to answer shortly, I expect, but as a consumer I've never had a problem (and that includes putting English plugs onto French equipment).

French plugs aren't always two-pin - there is a female earth socket on French 3-wire plugs. I buy mine in the brico sheds (such as Bricomarché) and always keep a few at hand.

Most items will be 2-core, so get a selection.

Please check that you aren't dealing with three-phase at any point, and if you are get a qualified sparks to deal with it. The plugs/sockets are significantly different, as is the voltage!

Postscript - in my first post I said fused French plugs - duh! I meant earthed.

[Rich1972]

Many thanks for the advice. I'd feel a lot happier with French plugs fitted rather than adaptors so that's the route I'll go down!

Rich [:)]

[Bugsy]

I've got a large carrier bag of english plugs..........free if anyone wants to collect them....[:D]

 

Why we've kept them I've absolutely no idea..........................unless it was the ever-increasing value of brass[Www]

[Rich1972]

By the way, what does 'three-phase' mean? [8-)]

[Anton Redman]

Broadly it is a more cost effective way of transmitting electricity over long distances. The service provider uses less wire and looses less power than with a two-phase supply. Common in rural France for milking machines, kilns etc. but not uncommon in rural houses, may be the only way of having a large electric cooker. Not inherently dangerous but can be deadly in circumstances where two-phase would just you an very unpleasant shock. I you have bought a house with three-phase supply then either employ a professional electrician or learn enough about how and why it works to be confident to DIY.

http://www.emfs.info/what_TermTuto.asp

[Rich1972]

Thanks for that. One further question: how can I tell whether it's a two-way or three-way supply? Will it say so on the first bill? The place will need rewiring anyway, so perhaps  I should use adaptors until the electrician comes to do it, and then he can tell me whether it's a three-way system. Yes, it's a rural property and hasn't been touched since the 1950s, if not the 1850s!

Rich

[Anton Redman]

It will say so on the small print of the bill. If the wires have PVC insulation rather then rubber I would just use adaptors for the time being. 

The normal giveaway is socket in the Kitchen, Dairy or Workshop with is huge versus a normal French socket and has at least four, some times five holes for pins in it.   

Occasionally you find the power juntion boxes as opposed to lighting wires have at least three green wires. Fortunately they do not use orange for neutral and white for earth or you could assume they were either Irish or Italien standard.

[Dick Smith]

[quote user="Bugbear"]

I've got a large carrier bag of english plugs..........free if anyone wants to collect them....[:D]

 

Why we've kept them I've absolutely no idea..........................unless it was the ever-increasing value of brass[Www]

[/quote]

Perhaps you could introduce them to my pile. I think I've used 2 for rewiring French appliances for England - of course, when you need a plug you can never find them.