Posted By Richard Price
We get supplies from the EU and they are fitted with two pin euro plugs. Can I fit UK three pin 13 amp adaptors directly on to these EU plugs and if so what if any tests do I need to carry out?

Posted By graeme12345
Richard can you not either change the contract,

1. for the supplier to fit the correct plug
2. or supply correct plugs to your supplier to fit (instead of wrong ones)

you could be liable if a person is injured or damage has occurred and it was proved that the equipmentt you manufactured was to blame

Posted By Les Craven
This may help clarify some points.

I recently discovered an immersion heater/circulator in one of our labs with this type of plug attached and a BS 5733 adaptor which is neither earthed nor fused. The plug of which has now been replaced. However, with this in mind, we recently purchased a similar circulating immersion heater from a laboratory supplier, specifically asking for it to be fitted with a UK 3 pin plug. What we received was a 13A plug and small screwdriver to do it ourselves!

For clarity There are two types. The standard, Class 1 grounded mains plug used in Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Finland is known as CEE 7/4 (also known as "Shuko") It has two 4.8mm round contacts on 19mm centres and two grounding clips on the sides of the connector body. The CEE 7/4 plug can be inserted in either direction into the receptacle.

The CEE 7/7 plug was developed to bridge the differences between the "Shuko" plug/socket system and the connection system used in France and Belgium. It is used in applications up to 16 amps. Above that, equipment must either be wired permanently to the mains or connected via another higher power connector such as the IEC 309 system. This plug is also unpolarized except when it is used in French and Belgian sockets.

the Shuko connection system is unpolarized (i.e. line and neutral are connected at random). When used with an adaptor, failure or inappropriate fitting could therefore possibly result in an electric shock.

It is not uncommon for computers to be supplied with both types of plug but at least these cables are not fixed and are fitted with an IEC socket (typical kettle socket) for connection to the equipment. Different matter where the cable is hard wired!

Equipment manufactured for sale in this country is supposed to be fitted with a moulded 3 pin fused plug conforming to BS1363 but some non standard plugs do filter through particularly in the commercial market.

I would not recommend using these plugs with an adaptor. It is preferable to have a competent person replace it with a suitably rated UK 3 pin plug. Check the amp rating of the equipment.

If there are concerns about invalidating warranties then take it up with the supplier.

Posted By Bob Youel
Why not cut the EU plus off and let the purchaser put on their own plug [as has happened since such goods were originally sold!] supplied by you? - Or does anybody know of a law [a law not a recommendation / nor best practice situation!] that I have missed saying that all such goods must be supplied with a suitable manufacturers supplied plug attached?

If you do not fit the plug you have no liability in that area!

I am not in any way being funny but time and again I see equipment come with manufacturers sealed plugs attached which then have to be removed because of cable routing & similar problems etc