How odd...

***2cvbloke*** · 08-04-2009

I have here a regular looking 13a plug, it's rewirable, you can use it on whatever you like, except, it has a plastic Earth pin!!! Now I know that most moulded plugs come with plastic Earth pins, but this is the first "regular" one I have come across that has only metal Live and Neutral pins...

Surely all rewirable plugs have to have a working Earth pin to be legal???

**Topper** · 08-04-2009

Originally Posted by 2cvbloke

Surely all rewirable plugs have to have a working Earth pin to be legal???

I was under the impression that D I Wireable plugs were illegal anyhow so doubt it makes a difference

**Channel Hopper** · 08-04-2009

Originally Posted by 2cvbloke

I have here a regular looking 13a plug, it's rewirable, you can use it on whatever you like, .....

Except anything that would normally have three wires.

It is really no different to the 3 pin lockable adapters for imported receivers.

***2cvbloke*** · 08-04-2009

Originally Posted by Channel Hopper

Except anything that would normally have three wires.

It is really no different to the 3 pin lockable adapters for imported receivers.

True, unless you cut the Earth wire back (not recommended!!!)...

I like those adaptors though, the full size Schuko ones are useful for European plugs, and the 2-pin ones are handy as I have a couple of 2-pin PSUs, which just about fit in them adaptors...

Originally Posted by Topper

I was under the impression that D I Wireable plugs were illegal anyhow so doubt it makes a difference

Erm, "D I"?

**Topper** · 08-04-2009

Originally Posted by 2cvbloke

Erm, "D I"?

Play on words...... DIYrable Oh ...I give up my talents a just wasted on some.

***2cvbloke*** · 08-04-2009

Originally Posted by Topper

Play on words...... DIYrable Oh ...I give up my talents a just wasted on some.

It's often best to wait until I am fully awake...

Still don' understand though, are you saying that all the plugs we use to replace damaged moulded ones are illegal?

**Topper** · 09-04-2009

Originally Posted by 2cvbloke

It's often best to wait until I am fully awake...

Still don' understand though, are you saying that all the plugs we use to replace damaged moulded ones are illegal?

I believe there was a move by the authorities to severely limit their use many years ago (1994) as some people could not manage to wire them correctly so they brought out a series of regulations whereby if an appliance had a foreign plug it had to be converted by an adaptor not by cutting off the old one and fitting a new UK one, at the same time all new appliances had to be sold with a moulded UK plug, I know lots of people still use self fitting especially when the fitted plug has been damaged, but it is very frowned upon and I believe they are getting ever more difficult to get hold of

***BombedOne*** · 09-04-2009

A lot of AV cables these days have plastic central pin, just coated with thin foil...

**Channel Hopper** · 09-04-2009

Originally Posted by Topper

I believe there was a move by the authorities to severely limit their use many years ago (1994) as some people could not manage to wire them correctly ....

Hawkwind fans allegedly

***2cvbloke*** · 09-04-2009

Originally Posted by Topper

I believe there was a move by the authorities to severely limit their use many years ago (1994) as some people could not manage to wire them correctly so they brought out a series of regulations whereby if an appliance had a foreign plug it had to be converted by an adaptor not by cutting off the old one and fitting a new UK one, at the same time all new appliances had to be sold with a moulded UK plug, I know lots of people still use self fitting especially when the fitted plug has been damaged, but it is very frowned upon and I believe they are getting ever more difficult to get hold of

I've never had any trouble getting hold of brand new rewirable plugs, my local asda still sells them, there's plenty of local electrical shops selling them, along with the three main rating fuses (3, 5 & 13)...

I just can't see how they can be made illegal, it's almost like saying "If your appliance's plug is damaged, throw the appliance away and buy a new one", which of course would be ridiculous and very much an environmental hazard...

**Channel Hopper** · 10-04-2009

The only time I might have used one would have been to install a Sony TV with integral plug/lead on the wall of a customers house.

In the end I drilled two 50mm holes with a core drill to allow the plug to be connected in the skirting board, otherwise I would have cut the plug off, drilled two 24mm holes and still have been able to fit the remaining cables through.

Buggered the drill gearbox in the process, which was nice.

***Huevos*** · 10-04-2009

Originally Posted by Topper

I believe there was a move by the authorities to severely limit their use

There is nothing illegal about those plugs; they are certified under BS1363. What was outlawed in 1994 (rightfully in my opinion) was the sale of electrical goods without any plug fitted.

***2cvbloke*** · 10-04-2009

Originally Posted by Huevos

There is nothing illegal about those plugs; they are certified under BS1363. What was outlawed in 1994 (rightfully in my opinion) was the sale of electrical goods without any plug fitted.

Now that I have heard of, and is why we get Chinese products fitted with Euro or Schuko plugs, they don't have to fit a UK plug (which would probably cost them more money), so they just use their existing cables set up for the rest of Europe...

In late 2007 I got myself an aquarium pump (which was a waste of time, cos for £1 more I could have gotten the same pump from the pet shop in less than 30 minutes, rather than in 2 weeks!!!), that came with a 2-pin Euro plug and a everything-in-one adaptor (crap, loose fitting and unfused!!!), simple job to fix, I got a 3A fused plug, lopped off the europlug, and wired on the proper one, properly before you ask...

Oh, and I took the adaptor and hit it with a hammer, cos I was bored...

***2cvbloke*** · 10-04-2009

Well, the odd plug is now on the cable for my old Sony camcorder's charger/PSU, seeing how that's just a Fig.8 cable, but I'm still mystified by it, after all, the pin can be removed with a little push...

Oh well, time to let it lie, until it catches fire and burns down the house...

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

How odd... For those who wish to discuss the more technical aspects of Satellite receivers and TVs. perhaps how to replace components, fault finding etc.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)