German pin plug in UK socket

mac_daddy · 19-11-2012 11:04AM #1

Hi all

Looking for some information regarding the potential safety issues of the scenario below:

I had a chap out last week to install Saorview and Free To Air. He also installed a combo box however on closer inspection it is actually powered with a German plug (two round pins). So he has bypassed the safety of the earth pin insertion with a little piece of plastic and inserted the live pin(s) into the wall.

My question is, what potential safety concerns (if any) should I have about this?

Many thanks.

M cebee · 19-11-2012 11:31AM

he should have cut it off and fitted a standard plug with 3amp fuse
the box may not need an earth so that may not be an issue

rubadub · 19-11-2012 03:01PM

If the plug was like this then it has no earth, so the box will have no earth. (most probably is this)

VDE-font-b-Germany-b-font-font-b-power-b-font-font-b-cord-b-font.jpg

VDE-font-b-Germany-b-font-font-b-power-b-font-font-b-cord-b-font.jpg

So he has bypassed the safety of the earth pin insertion with a little piece of plastic and inserted the live pin(s) into the wall.

he should not have left the plastic inserted in the plug socket, by reading that I am unsure if he did or not. Fitting a new plug as recommend above is the best, the usual quick fix is to stick something in the earth socket, this engages a mechanism which opens the live & neutral pin sockets on the wall. Then you put the 2 pin plug in and take out the temporary "earth".

If he left the plastic jammed in the earth then if somebody pulls out the 2 pin plug the live & neutral stay open and kids can poke things into them. If there is no "plastic earth" the mechanism works again shutting down the openings when the 2 pin plug is removed.

Some supposed 'safety devices" to cover plug sockets cause more harm than good.
http://www.fatallyflawed.org.uk/

You can get nonbulky converters like this too

mac_daddy · 19-11-2012 05:09PM

Hi yes, sorry I should have stated it more clearly. The plastic was not left in the "earth" pin. I am wondering though with the way it is at present is it safe to keep a connection of just two pins?

Thanks

brightspark · 19-11-2012 05:17PM

mac_daddy wrote: »

Hi yes, sorry I should have stated it more clearly. The plastic was not left in the "earth" pin. I am wondering though with the way it is at present is it safe to keep a connection of just two pins?

Thanks

You need to either fit a 3 pin plug top or use a fused adapter.

The problem with your current set up is there is no fuse protecting the flex.

A 5 amp or maybe a 3 amp fuse is required, not the standard 13a to provide proper protection.

paddy147 · 19-11-2012 10:38PM

Thats how my digital CO2 injection system for my Discuss came in from Germany.

A 2 pin plug

But the company also supplied the kit with a UK adaptor plug too.

19-11-2012 10:41PM

Inserting a Europlug into a BS1363 socket is dangerous because the Europlug isn't fused. I'd recommend either cutting off the Europlug and fitting the correct plug, or using one of the aforementioned adapters.

ted1 · 21-11-2012 11:16AM

its illegal to only supply a 2 pin plug to Ireland. he should have suppled a 3 pin plug. ring him up and ask him for it.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1987/en/si/0173.html

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer_affairs/consumer_protection/product_safety_and_labelling/safety_of_electrical_and_gas_products_and_furniture.html

German pin plug in UK socket

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