Hedge Trimmer with very short power cable??

LateStarter

This is an odd one - a couple of months back i was given a Lidl  long reach hedge trimmer (about 2 years old). I went to use it this weekend, and found that the power cable was literally 15cm long - it even says so on the box. How exactly am I meant to plug this in? I suppose I could cut the plug off and extend the cable, but I feel I'm missing something. 
Any ideas?

TELLIT01

Is it a conventional 3 pin plug, or the 2 pin type commonly found for connection to extension cables.  Does i look like this?  https://www.screwfix.com/p/masterplug-nc102o-10a-2-pin-connector-orange/46232

ic

Are you saying it has a standard three pin plug on the end of the 15 cm cable?  Normally they come with a short length, then a much longer length that attaches with a small two pin plug (like this) - I think because its normal for the cable to get mistakenly cut, so making it easier to replace the cable.  Perhaps whoever gave you this wired it with a standard plug for some reason?

Simple answer: https://www.screwfix.com/p/masterplug-13a-1-gang-unswitched-extension-lead-15m/140hh

LateStarter

ic said:

Are you saying it has a standard three pin plug on the end of the 15 cm cable?  Normally they come with a short length, then a much longer length that attaches with a small two pin plug (like this) - I think because its normal for the cable to get mistakenly cut, so making it easier to replace the cable.  Perhaps whoever gave you this wired it with a standard plug for some reason?

Simple answer: https://www.screwfix.com/p/masterplug-13a-1-gang-unswitched-extension-lead-15m/140hh

Yes, it's a standard 3 pin plug, moulded on, so I think that's how it came (it's come from SIIL's garage after a divorce, she says it was bought that way). Yes that Screwfix cable seems to be the answer, thanks.

danrv

LateStarter said:

ic said:

Are you saying it has a standard three pin plug on the end of the 15 cm cable?  Normally they come with a short length, then a much longer length that attaches with a small two pin plug (like this) - I think because its normal for the cable to get mistakenly cut, so making it easier to replace the cable.  Perhaps whoever gave you this wired it with a standard plug for some reason?

Simple answer: https://www.screwfix.com/p/masterplug-13a-1-gang-unswitched-extension-lead-15m/140hh

Yes, it's a standard 3 pin plug, moulded on, so I think that's how it came (it's come from SIIL's garage after a divorce, she says it was bought that way). Yes that Screwfix cable seems to be the answer, thanks.

It's probably double insulated but using a 3 pin plug. Same as my Qualcast Chainsaw although this has a long lead.
My Bosch hedge trimmer has a very short cable with a two pin plug. I use it with a Black & Decker orange cable reel.

subjecttocontract

You're expected to attach an extension lead of a length that suits you.

Belenus

I am guessing but perhaps the hedge trimmer originally came as part of a set of garden power tools, each with a short lead and one extension cable to be used on multiple tools.

That would save the cost of a long cable for each power tool.

TELLIT01

Belenus said:

I am guessing but perhaps the hedge trimmer originally came as part of a set of garden power tools, each with a short lead and one extension cable to be used on multiple tools.

That would save the cost of a long cable for each power tool.

That's certainly a possibility but I wouldn't expect the power tools to be fitted with a standard 3 pin plug on a very short lead.  That makes using any tool awkward.

LateStarter

TELLIT01 said:

Belenus said:

I am guessing but perhaps the hedge trimmer originally came as part of a set of garden power tools, each with a short lead and one extension cable to be used on multiple tools.

That would save the cost of a long cable for each power tool.

That's certainly a possibility but I wouldn't expect the power tools to be fitted with a standard 3 pin plug on a very short lead.  That makes using any tool awkward.

It was indeed awkward, I ended up with an extension lead clipped to my belt.

radox2608

Sounds like someone has replaced the original 2 pin male plug on the hedge trimmer with a standard 3pin plug.

I'm pretty sure the hedge trimmer would have originally come with the smaller, orange 2 pin male plug AND an orange extension cable (much longer) with a 2 pin female plug at one end and a standard 3pin plug at the other. My understanding is that the orange extension cables are like this because they do not have an earth (making them lighter) but they are only intended for use with double-insulated items like garden power tools, which do not need an earth. They have the less-common 2 pin socket at one end to stop people using it as a general extension cable and plugging in something which does require an earth, which would not be safe.