Quick electrical question
Quick electrical question
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Discussion

Famous Graham

Original Poster:

26,553 posts

254 months

Monday 21st September 2009
quotequote all
I've got a motorised projector that, annoyingly, came with a european plug. This has a rating of 16A written on it.

The only physical adapter I can find is a shaving one, ie 2 round pins to normal UK three pins. But this has a 1A fuse in it.

Can I just bung a 16A fuse in there? Are they even available at that rating in the plug size - I can only find 13,5 & 1.

ETA - Yes, I know this is ridiculously basic, but for some reason I've got a weird niggling doubt in my head biggrin

Edited by Famous Graham on Monday 21st September 12:42

Papa_Hotel

12,760 posts

211 months

Monday 21st September 2009
quotequote all
Just bung it in as it is. My TV, washing machine, tumble drier, ipod dock, toaster, smoothie maker, toastie maker and food blender all have european plugs on them... never occured to me to check the rating but they've not exploded yet...

Just bung it in, you know you want to.

ETA, just had a look at my adaptors, they're 13A. If that makes a difference, I dunno.

Edited by Papa_Hotel on Monday 21st September 12:49

Neil_H

15,418 posts

280 months

Monday 21st September 2009
quotequote all
Does the European plug have a fuse in it? If so I don't think you need to worry about the adapter, as long as the fuse in the plug is rated higher.

Famous Graham

Original Poster:

26,553 posts

254 months

Monday 21st September 2009
quotequote all
Neil_H said:
Does the European plug have a fuse in it? If so I don't think you need to worry about the adapter, as long as the fuse in the plug is rated higher.
That's what's niggling me. If the unit plug has a rating of 16A that would imply it's going to draw a damn sight more than 1A (probably not anywhere near the 16A though), which would pop the fuse in the adapter, no?

jet_noise

6,085 posts

211 months

Monday 21st September 2009
quotequote all
Dear Famous Graham,

does the projector need an earth? If so don't even think of using a shaving adaptor!

The 16A rating is for the plug, what you need to check is the rating of the appliance. There should be a plate on it somewhere or in the user guide/owners manual. I'd be very surprised if the device uses anything like 13A let alone 16.

If you can't find an adaptor then buy a 13A plug, cut off the Euro plug, replace with the UK one and Uncle Bob is in the house,

regards,
Jet

Neil_H

15,418 posts

280 months

Monday 21st September 2009
quotequote all
idea I see what you mean, yes it will.

If you can get hold of a proper Euro -> UK adapter it would be a better solution as they don't have fuses.

Famous Graham

Original Poster:

26,553 posts

254 months

Monday 21st September 2009
quotequote all
jet_noise said:
Dear Famous Graham,

does the projector need an earth? If so don't even think of using a shaving adaptor!

The 16A rating is for the plug, what you need to check is the rating of the appliance. There should be a plate on it somewhere or in the user guide/owners manual. I'd be very surprised if the device uses anything like 13A let alone 16.

If you can't find an adaptor then buy a 13A plug, cut off the Euro plug, replace with the UK one and Uncle Bob is in the house,

regards,
Jet
Good shout - I thought it didn't but I've just double checked and it's got the euro earth contact between the two pins. Whoops biggrin

Can't do any cut 'n' plug replacement yet unfortunately - need to check the thing works and it's a moulded plug.