Can shaving adapters be used for non-shavers?

thor

I have a little electrical dispaly that I bought in asia and would like to plug it into the UK mains system. It has 2 pins so I need an adapter and was wondering if I could use a shaving adapter plug. I would be saving a few pounds if it was ok to do but the instructions with it are clear that it can only be used with electric shavers. The electrical item itself is rated to run at 220V and 50Hz and will only be using a few watts so can anyone see a problem with using the shaving adapter in these circumstances?

bobby-boy_2

Hi Thor
the main problem with a shaving adapter is that it is fused to 1 Amp!
Normal adapters for continental/Asian use are un-fused and rely on the fuse in the appliances plug.

You can usually pick them up for a couple of quid on fleabay
OR as long as the Asian plug isJ UST A PLUG and NOT a transformer plug you can just cut it off and fit a UK 3 pin plug.

deejayen

I've been using a Shaver Adapter for years to power a European Satellite Rxer with no problems -- All you have to be aware of is to check the power rating of the appliance does not exceed 1Amp -- in my case the sat rxer is rated at 360ma when up and running --Dave

PS if your unit only has a wattage value then apply the following formula

220 [Voltage] divided by the wattage = Current [Amps]

totalsolutions

Adaptors WHY this is UK put a proper, safe plug on it......................DERRRRRRRRRRRRR
Oh, Thor just put in a 1 amp fuse, it is only there to protect the wiring not the product.

espresso

thor wrote: »

I have a little electrical dispaly that I bought in asia and would like to plug it into the UK mains system. It has 2 pins so I need an adapter and was wondering if I could use a shaving adapter plug. I would be saving a few pounds if it was ok to do but the instructions with it are clear that it can only be used with electric shavers. The electrical item itself is rated to run at 220V and 50Hz and will only be using a few watts so can anyone see a problem with using the shaving adapter in these circumstances?

Yes using the adaptor will be fine. An adaptor fused at 1 Amp could supply up to 230W.

deejayen wrote: »

I've been using a Shaver Adapter for years to power a European Satellite Rxer with no problems -- All you have to be aware of is to check the power rating of the appliance does not exceed 1Amp -- in my case the sat rxer is rated at 360ma when up and running --Dave

PS if your unit only has a wattage value then apply the following formula

220 [Voltage] divided by the wattage = Current [Amps]

No, the current in Amps is the Wattage divided by the Voltage!

totalsolutions wrote: »

Adaptors WHY this is UK put a proper, safe plug on it......................DERRRRRRRRRRRRR
Oh, Thor just put in a 1 amp fuse, it is only there to protect the wiring not the product.

Fitting a UK plug on the device would not make it any safer!

:rolleyes:

thor

Thanks guys. You have confirmed my own reasoning - the adapter does not change anything electrically, it just alters the physical interface. It is actually a small light display with some small bulbs. I can't find it right now but I reckon it is no more than a couple of hundred watts so I will make sure there is a 1 amp fuse at least.

prowla

You can also get flip-top 3-pin mains plugs that you open up and put you 2-pin plug in and close the lid down.