PAT Testing American string lights

notaskyofearth · Mar 18, 2015

Hello,

I wonder if somebody might be able to advise me. I'm intending to use a set of outdoor American string lights in the UK. They are fitted with an American 3-pig plug and 110v so I need to use a step down converter.

Is it possible to get this sort of thing PAT tested?

Many thanks,

Anthony

Engineer54 · Mar 18, 2015

Please tell me WHY, would you be so bloody daft as to import a set of US string lights, complete with 120 volt lamps and with an American style plug top??? So now you need a step down TX, just to add to the costs!!

So what are you hoping to achieve using this totally inappropriate system, because i'm stomped??

notaskyofearth · Mar 18, 2015

Hi there,

I didn't import them. And I won't be using them if it's not practical/safe to do so. It sounds like one or other might be the case from what you say in your post.

Marvo · Mar 18, 2015

Unless they're really special string lights it won't be worth buying a 110-230v step-up transformer. If you've really got to have them working then take them to a supplier like Maplin and ask at the counter for a transformer that will be suitable, if you're lucky they might have a pre-assembled unit that just plugs in. If not you're going to need an enclosure, a couple of glands, cable, plug etc and put it together yourself or get a sparky to make it up for you.