Which way European plug with UK Adaptor

Ben1989

Hi all.

I’ve a lamp that I’m putting through a in-built cabinet. It had a screwed plug so I thought “great. I can get away with a smaller hole”. But got presented with this.

I’ve removed the plug from the prongs but I have no way of knowing which way around they go back. Would anybody happen to know how to figure out? Or does it not matter?

Many thanks,
Ben

TadleyBaggie

It doesn't matter, one wire to Live and the other to Neutral. On the original plug it could be plugged in either way to the socket.

GDB2222

TadleyBaggie said:

It doesn't matter, one wire to Live and the other to Neutral. On the original plug it could be plugged in either way to the socket.

that is not the ideal answer. It is an Edison screw fitting, and it’s safer to make sure the conductor in the centre is connected to live, and the conductor that goes round the bulb is connected to neutral.

Really the OP needs a multi meter.

TadleyBaggie

So if using the original 2 pin plug in Europe, do you think anyone would use a multimeter to ensure the live is on the centre connector?

flashg67

You could cut off the 2 prong plug and wire a standard UK plug to it , with appropriate fuse

markin

Europe uses E27 so it doesn't seem to matter to them.

Ben1989

I have a multimeter if that helps. I’d appreciate some advice how to test though. 

grumbler

Ben1989 said:

I have a multimeter if that helps. I’d appreciate some advice how to test though. 

The plug pin connected to the thread of the lampholder is better to connect to   L   N (not fused) terminal of the UK plug.
Use 'continuity check' mode of the tester.

GDB2222

grumbler said:

Ben1989 said:

I have a multimeter if that helps. I’d appreciate some advice how to test though. 

The plug pin connected to the thread of the lampholder is better to connect to L (not fused) terminal of the UK plug.
Use 'continuity check' mode of the tester.

Is that an L for left? You mean the neutral, don’t you?

grumbler

Sorry, I just came back to correct the error.  I can't even explain why I typed L instead of N.

Rodders53

I've yet to see any lampholder (ES or BC) marked Live or Neutral on the terminals...  BC are equally 'dangerous' to a finger going in them.

IF it was important safety wise they'd be marked, or more likely banned.