Replacing US plug with UK one

RichSimm · Aug 2, 2017

Hi,

I've bought several table lamps that each power a 7w E12 bulb. They have US plugs and were sold to me with very dubious looking US>UK adapters. (I ordered online from Thailand and was promised UK fittings. I know, I know...) The connections are poor and the bulbs often go when switched on. I've had them so long now and the complexities of sending them all back, let alone the inevitable to and fro, means speaking to the maker isn't an option that I'm considering.

I want to replace the US plug/adapter combo with a 3 amp UK plug. Can I just cut the cord and rewire it? There will probably be no earth wire. Does that matter? Does the cord need any specific shielding if it has a UK plug on it?

Lots of info online is conflicting. I hope you can help. Thanks!

Pete999 · Aug 2, 2017

RichSimm said:
Hi,

I've bought several table lamps that each power a 7w E12 bulb. They have US plugs and were sold to me with very dubious looking US>UK adapters. (I ordered online from Thailand and was promised UK fittings. I know, I know...) The connections are poor and the bulbs often go when switched on. I've had them so long now and the complexities of sending them all back, let alone the inevitable to and fro, means speaking to the maker isn't an option that I'm considering.

I want to replace the US plug/adapter combo with a 3 amp UK plug. Can I just cut the cord and rewire it? There will probably be no earth wire. Does that matter? Does the cord need any specific shielding if it has a UK plug on it?

Lots of info online is conflicting. I hope you can help. Thanks!

What voltage are these lamps you have ordered from Thailand?

RichSimm · Aug 2, 2017

Hi Pete999,
Their documentation says "Can be used in any country, handles 110 to 240v. Bulb included is 220v for EU/AU/UK."

davesparks · Aug 2, 2017

If it's built for the US then the cable and internal wiring may not be to an acceptable standard for UK use

Pete999 · Aug 2, 2017

RichSimm said:
Hi Pete999,
Their documentation says "Can be used in any country, handles 110 to 240v. Bulb included is 220v for EU/AU/UK."

Are the old plugs you intend cutting off and replacing wit a UK type 13A plug top connected to any sort of transformer? can you post a picture of the existing?

davesparks · Aug 2, 2017

Pete999 said:
Are the old plugs you intend cutting off and replacing wit a UK type 13A plug top connected to any sort of transformer? can you post a picture of the existing?

Why would it need a transformer? It's just a lamp with a small ES lampholder

Pete999 · Aug 2, 2017

davesparks said:
Why would it need a transformer? It's just a lamp with a small ES lampholder

So you tell him to cut th existing plug top off and replace it with a UK one then Dave, just being ultra careful that's all.

westward10 · Aug 2, 2017

He is already using an inferior adaptor which are prone to poor connection, cut it off and fit a plug.

RichSimm · Aug 2, 2017

The plug is this simple 2-pin one, fitting into an adapter that I presume has a 13amp fuse in it. Could be wrong...

telectrix · Aug 2, 2017

if the fitting does not require earthing, then fitting a BS1363 plug is not a problem.

westward10 · Aug 2, 2017

That nasty looking adaptor does not look fused. Cut it off, fit a plug.

Flanders · Aug 2, 2017

The colours or Colors may be black and white in the cable not blue and brown , i think black is the live (hot) and white is the neutral (cold) but best check with others

Flanders · Aug 2, 2017

westward10 said:
That nasty looking adaptor does not look fused. Cut it off, fit a plug.

Yes and those socket pins are far to close to the edge of the adapter for my liking , that adapters got to go

RichSimm · Aug 2, 2017

Great feedback, people! Thanks.

So I will cut the cords, discern live and neutral, add a 13 amp (?) fuse to a BS1363 plug and see if that works.

Flanders · Aug 2, 2017

I would put a 3 amp fuse in your new 13 amp plug top

Flanders · Aug 2, 2017

Just checking is light fitting made of metal if so it may need an earth that you don't currently have

RichSimm · Aug 2, 2017

Flanders said:
I would put a 3 amp fuse in your new 13 amp plug top

Thanks Flanders. So 3 amp fuse instead of 13 amp.

Flanders said:
Just checking is light fitting made of metal if so it may need an earth that you don't currently have

It's all made from plastic.

Flanders · Aug 2, 2017

Ok that good if plastic no earth required

Lucien Nunes · Aug 2, 2017

the bulbs often go when switched on

Low wattage filament lamps are like that. Can you fit LEDs?
Constructional standard may not be technically compliant with UK regs but at the moment the most dangerous thing by far is probably that nasty adaptor.

davesparks · Aug 2, 2017

Pete999 said:
So you tell him to cut th existing plug top off and replace it with a UK one then Dave, just being ultra careful that's all.

Calm down, I wasn't suggesting that as a sensible option, just asking why a transformer would be necessary for a table lamp?

Pete999 · Aug 2, 2017

davesparks said:
Calm down, I wasn't suggesting that as a sensible option, just asking why a transformer would be necessary for a table lamp?

Sorry Dave had a bad day

KennyKen · Aug 3, 2017

Can confirm Flanders. Black is the hot wire And white is the neutral.

RichSimm · Aug 3, 2017

Result:
I replaced the US plugs with 3 amp UK ones (interestingly the wires were blue and brown anyway) and all works well. I've also ordered some LEDs for good measure.

Thanks a lot for all your help.

norcal · Aug 6, 2017

How hard would it be to replace the lampholder, & cord / plug assembly to ones that comply with local standard(s)?

Taylortwocities · Aug 6, 2017

norcal said:
How hard would it be to replace the lampholder, & cord / plug assembly to ones that comply with local standard(s)?

Easier to buy some UK ones

Acorn89 · Mar 6, 2022

Pete999 said:
Are the old plugs you intend cutting off and replacing wit a UK type 13A plug top connected to any sort of transformer? can you post a picture of the existing?

Pete, I am trying to do exactly what you just above. Trying to replace a broken 3 prong plug on a step up step down transformer to a type g plug to use in the UK. Do you think I should not do that?

norcal · Mar 6, 2022

Taylortwocities said:
Easier to buy some UK ones

While this reply is a little late, that is what I meant by ones that comply with local standards, the biggest problem would be threads, most US lampholders use a 1/8' NPT thread.

telectrix · Mar 6, 2022

Acorn89 said:
Pete, I am trying to do exactly what you just above. Trying to replace a broken 3 prong plug on a step up step down transformer to a type g plug to use in the UK. Do you think I should not do that?

need to know what you have and the voltage/frequency of the equipment. a pic would help.

Acorn89 · Mar 6, 2022

Here is a picture of my transformer with broken US plug. I am planning to cut it off and rewire a 13 A uk type g plug with 3a fuse to it as shown on the side. The power rating on this transformer is 5000w but I don’t plan to use more than 2500w with appliances like rice cooker, tv and blender ( ( not more than two of them at any given time)

Let me know if that should be okay

Acorn89 · Mar 6, 2022

telectrix said:
need to know what you have and the voltage/frequency of the equipment. a pic would help.

Here is a picture of my transformer with broken US plug. I am planning to cut it off and rewire a 13 A uk type g plug with 3a fuse to it as shown on the side. The power rating on this transformer is 5000w but I don’t plan to use more than 2500w with appliances like rice cooker, tv and blender ( ( not more than two of them at any given time).let me know if it is okay

brianmoooore · Mar 6, 2022

It has a CE mark on it, so it is OK to fit a UK plug.
That assumes the CE mark is genuine.

freddo · Mar 6, 2022

brianmoooore said:
It has a CE mark on it, so it is OK to fit a UK plug.
That assumes the CE mark is genuine.

It won't be genuine as those fit everything sockets don't comply with any UK standard.

Acorn89 said:
Here is a picture of my transformer with broken US plug. I am planning to cut it off and rewire a 13 A uk type g plug with 3a fuse to it as shown on the side. The power rating on this transformer is 5000w but I don’t plan to use more than 2500w with appliances like rice cooker, tv and blender ( ( not more than two of them at any given time).let me know if it is okay

You will need a 13A fuse in the plug.

RichSimm

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