US plug? UPDATE, ITS ARRIVED

Myser

Something like this should work but just check that one of the slots is bigger:

http://www.expansys.com/expansys-us-to-european-plug-adaptor-200208/

MrsE_2

Myser wrote: »

Something like this should work but just check that one of the slots is bigger:

http://www.expansys.com/expansys-us-to-european-plug-adaptor-200208/

£4.50 p&p plus 20% vat.

MrsE_2

Myser wrote: »

Just to clarify - in the UK, we have a 3-pin plug which is designed so that you cannot connect the live and neutral pins the wrong way round into a socket. The UK plug is quite an ingenious and safe design and has evolved from previous 3-pin designs. It can be argued that the UK plug is probably the safest designs for mains plugs!

When you have a plug and socket which can accomodate 2-pins only, often the plug can be insterted either way round. This is true for 2-pin Euro plugs

In some cases, the plug is designed so that it can only be inserted one way round - as is with your device.

There is a reason for this as some appliances are fused internally on the live side. If the internal fuse blows and you have the wires the wrong way round, the applicance can still have live mains voltage present if the neutral is connected to the fuse side.

So are all the plugs in the US with a fatter end?

Myser

MrsE wrote: »

All of mine are uk plugs to 2 pin euro & 2 pin us.

Not the other way.

Those are designed for people who come to the UK or for plugging in appliances bought abroad and you want to use them in the UK.

Do you not have travel plug adaptors that you use abroad i.e. UK plug socket to 2-pin Euro plug etc?

Myser

MrsE wrote: »

So are all the plugs in the US with a fatter end?

No, only where the appliance requires the correct live/neutral polarity for safety.

There is no ambiguity with UK plugs, unless of course you wire it incorrectly!

MrsE_2

Myser wrote: »

Those are designed for people who come to the UK or for plugging in appliances bought abroad and you want to use them in the UK.

Do you not have travel plug adaptors that you use abroad i.e. UK plug socket to 2-pin Euro plug etc?

Yes I do, but the clairsonic doesnt have a uk socket, it has a us socket.
All mine are from the uk conversions, not to the uk conversions.

MrsE_2

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Adaptors-Electrical-/19315/i.html?_sop=15&_from=R40&_nkw=us+2+pin+adaptor&LH_BIN=1

I cant see that any of these have can fit the fatter end?

Myser

MrsE wrote: »

Yes I do, but the clairsonic doesnt have a uk socket, it has a us socket.
All mine are from the uk conversions, not to the uk conversions.

What I meant to say is a US plug may fit into a travel adaptor that has a UK plug socket as the 2-pin holes have been widened (round) to accommodate a variety of plugs.

Similar to this:



The US to Euro adaptor is £3.78 from Expansys (see my post above) if you choose the cheaper postage option.

Alternatively, you may be able to purchase one from the auction sites but most likely will have to wait a while for delivery!

Myser

MrsE wrote: »

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Adaptors-Electrical-/19315/i.html?_sop=15&_from=R40&_nkw=us+2+pin+adaptor&LH_BIN=1

I cant see that any of these have can fit the fatter end?

I have found that those grey ones become loose after a while and don't hold the plug in securely.

MrsE_2

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/US-UK-AU-Universal-Adapter-to-EU-AC-Power-Euro-Plug-Travel-2-pin-Converter-White-/400493355429?pt=UK_TravelTickets_Accessories_RL&hash=item5d3f43a1a5

Do you think this one will fit the funny us plug?