using foreign lamp in UK

[Woodmonkey]

Apologies if this seems obvious but I am ignorant when it comes to electrics...
I have a lamp which came from abroad, the plug only has two pins, so if I cut it off and put a UK one on then it won't be earthed will it? Is this safe to do? The lamp is metal so I don't really want to electrocute anyone.
Ta

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Rewire it with three core flex and find somewhere on the lamp to attach the earth?

 

[Silas Gull]

Lamps of this type are seldom earthed, being classified as a type ll appliance that relies on its design to provide insulation.
If you are in any doubt, consult a qualified electrician and show him the lamp.

 

[Alex H]

Lamps of this type are seldom earthed, being classified as a type ll appliance that relies on its design to provide insulation.
If you are in any doubt, consult a qualified electrician and show him the lamp.

+1

 

[doctor Bob]

put a new plug on it and give it a lick............

 

[Racers]

put a new plug on it and give it a lick............

Probably the most stupid advise I have ever heard.........















you get the wife to lick it!

:wink:


Pete

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

and then shout thwack thwacky

 

[Jonzjob]

Which country did the lamp come from, because it doesn't sound as if it's from the EU?

As was said, rewire it with a 3 core cable. If it's metal that is essential !

 

[MMUK]

If it's from the EU and metal cased, the Schuco plug should be a circular one as opposed to a flat one. The circular plug has a surface contact earth so the flex should be 3 core anyway.

 

[Jonzjob]

Not if it's French MM. They have round pins but they have flat and round plugs.

The round ones can be with or without an earth connection and if they have an earth it is a round socket in the plug.

You can also get 2 and 3 pin round wall sockets. The only difference is that the 3 pin type have an earth pin sticking out of the socket and the 2 pin don't. It means that you can put a 3 pin plug in a 2 pin socket. Stupid, but true!

 

[MMUK]

These are the ones I mean Johnzjob These are the newer standard (or should be) for the EU. Round sockets are also the newer standard, no-one should be fitting the inline 2 pin or 3 pin sockets these days.

Earthed

Non-Earthed

 

[Jonzjob]

They haven't arrived here in France MM, but then again nor has a lot of things mate :mrgreen:

This is an interesting little read while we wait for a reply from the OP

http://www.francetravelplanner.com/deta ... ctric.html

French? Protestionist? Jamais :roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[MMUK]

They haven't arrived here in France MM, but then again nor has a lot of things mate :mrgreen:

Voulez-vous dire l'afflux de personnes non indigènes? Au moins, le gouvernement français ont les couilles de dire les bureaucrates entre EU où descendre!

:wink:

 

[cambournepete]

It's not earthed anyway so it'll be fine.

 

[Jonzjob]

They haven't arrived here in France MM, but then again nor has a lot of things mate :mrgreen:

Voulez-vous dire l'afflux de personnes non indigènes? Au moins, le gouvernement français ont les couilles de dire les bureaucrates entre EU où descendre!

:wink:

Pure Brummie? I never could understand Brummie :shock: :shock:

 

[CHJ]

It's not earthed anyway so it'll be fine.

Not necessarily so, it's totally dependant upon where and when it was manufactured, the OP is correct in asking for advice, for twin wire supply it should have been manufactured with double insulation for cable entry and isolation from any metal parts, especially critical for a table lamp that could be handled whilst powered up.

 

[Benchwayze]

They haven't arrived here in France MM, but then again nor has a lot of things mate :mrgreen:

Voulez-vous dire l'afflux de personnes non indigènes? Au moins, le gouvernement français ont les couilles de dire les bureaucrates entre EU où descendre!

:wink:

Pure Brummie? I never could understand Brummie :shock: :shock:

Gallic shrug... :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Woodmonkey]

Its from Israel, I found a universal travel adapter and plugged it in and it seems fine, no fires or explosions. Thanks for all the advice, particularly getting the misses to lick it. (The lamp that is...)

 

[Jonzjob]

Glad that you have seen the light Woody :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Don't let it near anything from Palistine or they may fight :? :?

 

[Alex H]

Last year I had a trip taking in France(!), Germany, Demark and Sweden. Before I went I thought I may have trouble recharging phone/tablet/camera.

For those of you that think there is some sort of standard in the EU - have a read of this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC_plugs

Different plugs/sockets for France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, and of course the UK

(I particulary like the bit where it says " The pins are slightly flexible, which allows the Europlug to fit several types of CEE standard sockets." :roll: