Changing a Euro style plug to UK type

[@tomsullam3549]

Very clear, very straightforward, and exactly the info I needed. Have never done it before, now I've changed 8 plugs. Will build a house for my next challenge, feel that confident.

[@rosalindwyatt8274]

One of the best tutorials I've seen on any topic on KZbin. Very reassuring and helpful as I begin to change my first plug, thanks!!🔧

[@tinkertime7165]

Glad it helped!

[@patwilliams800]

Fab, thanks. Before I left home 40 yrs ago' Mum made sure I knew how to put on a plug, (her tip was N bLue (Left) E bRown (Right) still with me 🙏.

[@janetsislandlife4486]

I have to do this for the first time ever and I'm 60! Lol! thank you for the simple explanation and for the clear close up video.👏 Will tackle my plug change next week. Cheers

[@tinkertime7165]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lornaharkin2126]

Thanks soooo much, I was about to throw a kettle away, cos it had a European plug on it, must say you've an amazing voice . Love from Ireland xxx

[@tinkertime7165]

Thank you and glad it could help you.

[@Leatherkid01]

Why would anyone throw a working appliance because of the plug....just change itor get a preoper adaptor ....🤦🏼‍♂️

[@user-ny3bx1bs1n]

Thank you for this. It gave me the confidence to rewire a Mathmos lava lamp that came from the factory with an EU to UK plug adapter. The only difference to your video was that it is not earthed (the earth pin is just plastic). Everything else was exactly the same, I just made sure I used the correct fuse and it works perfectly.

[@crazycarl9484]

You just confirmed what I was about to do better be safe than sorry, thanks for sharing.

[@AdrianBigyes]

I need to change a plug on our submersible pump, but the wires are solid green, green and yellow, solid white. I don't know which one is the live wire.

[@TERRYKOPITE1]

You made it look so Easy and well explained thank you

[@tinkertime7165]

You’re welcome 😊 Glad it is proving helpful to many.

[@KakronaChan]

Hi, what if you want to change to US plug which only use two pin, where do you connect the earth wire? 😔

[@KatieCrutchley]

Thank you so much for this video. Like users below, watching it gave me the confidence to change a plug on something I recently purchased that came with an EU plug. The video was clear and easy to follow - thank you!

[@tinkertime7165]

You are most welcome. Thank you for leaving your message!

[@FloTelip]

About Swiss plugs and many other types in the world : kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHS2dJygqpKrd8U

[@evelyntan2598]

Excellent video. Followed the instructions and my appliance is working great

[@tinkertime7165]

Excellent

[@453421abcdefg12345]

I am really pleased to see you mentioned that the 13A fuse is not correct for most applications this plug is used for, most people, as you mention, just use the fuse the plug is supplied with, which is, of course, the maximum power the plug is rated for, a better idea would be to sell plugs with no fuse, so the correct fuse could be inserted at wiring point, it is a recipe for disaster for anyone that is not an expert to cut through the out insulation with a knife! almost certainly there will be cuts in the wire insulation using this method, it is far safer to cut into the outer at the end, and roll back to correct length, you can then just cut off the excess with the side cutters, you got away with it because you are an expert, but Mrs Smith would cut into the conductor insulation with future potential problems. Good to see you back, now get out and cut some more logs and split them on you marvellous machine ! Chris B.

[@tinkertime7165]

Thank you. This is the preferred method of the NICEIC as they don't like pulling one or all of the conductors. I understand what you are saying and would tend to agree with you. Rubber is the worst and stiffer PVC actually easier. I tried to make the video, short and concise, not getting into the detail too much. Current calculations, capacity of the cable and all that stuff. Glad you noticed the relevant of the correct fuse tho! I should do more vids. I did this because we have a friend that lives between here and France and often has appliances she want to bring back to the UK. This was her frother and my wife suggested a video so she can do her own! I will try and do some more with the splitter as its getting into the season for it! You will like the mods on it!

[@453421abcdefg12345]

@@tinkertime7165 : Yes, stretching the insulation is not a very good thing, one often takes off the plug top and sees the result of this, the insulation shrunk back and exposing the conductors! The fuse would not be a thing that your friend in France would have to worry about as all sockets go right back to the board and a trip, I am not sure that that is better, especially when one trips out in the dark, and you have to go into the cellar to flick the switch on! I look forward to seeing your splitter mods, I have just cut 20 cu mts of wood for the winter stock(next year). Chris B.

[@elephantgunners9518]

What about a coffee machine?

[@453421abcdefg12345]

@@elephantgunners9518 : The appliance should have a rating label attached to it, not sure what coffee machine you have but it will be on the machine body, usually where the cable goes into the machine, you really need the lowest amp fuse you can get away with, that way your machine and you, are protected.

[@elephantgunners9518]

Englishman French used 13 amp work fine

[@Joshmarrmusic]

So clearly explained, thank you!!

[@FloTelip]

About Swiss plugs and many other types in the world : kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHS2dJygqpKrd8U

[@tinkertime7165]

Glad it was helpful!

[@matthewrocky1888]

you all probably dont care at all but does anyone know a trick to log back into an instagram account..? I was dumb forgot the password. I would appreciate any help you can give me

[@kashtonsebastian4802]

@Matthew Rocky instablaster ;)

[@matthewrocky1888]

@Kashton Sebastian Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site on google and I'm in the hacking process atm. Takes quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.

[@claireelia1750]

You explained it brilliantly. Thank you

[@tinkertime7165]

Glad it was helpful!

[@andrewpelling-e4z]

Thank you for the excellent, informative instructions for us laymen. I'm getting a Bosch drill 230v, 720 watts and I'll need to change the EU plug to a UK one. Can you please advise me which fuse to use, for 110v and 230v? On the Amazon warehouse page, it says the drill is 110v. Maybe that's a mistake by them, as it's a drill.

[@tinkertime7165]

So 230v is for home use and 110v is for construction site use and requires a transformer. This is for safety reasons. Do not try to wire a 110v appliance with a UK plug! If it’s for home use, buy the 230v unit. 😉

[@ChrisCastle7856]

Clear and precise. Thank you very much!

[@tinkertime7165]

You're very welcome!

[@Nadia-e7f]

Thank you I always need to watch this video

[@tinkertime7165]

Glad it was helpful!

[@azara7574]

Thanks for the clear and helpful video. I've hit a snag with my attempt as after cutting off the EU plug, it turned out it only has two wires (blue and brown). I've got to assume that means I can't convert it to a Uk plug! I think in future I'll cut back a little of the outer cover to check how many cables are in there before chopping off the plug XD

[@bellabarrington-jones7053]

Would it be unsafe to just connect the blue and brown ones? I just watched a B&Q video where they say the earth wire (green n yellow) isn't always there, but that was just replacing a UK plug with another UK one so am not sure if it's the same? Glad I read this before cutting anything up!

[@tinkertime7165]

If it has no green/yellow then is is probably double insulated and does not need one.

[@okaro6595]

If the plug is a flat one or round one with cuts: upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/Euro-Flachstecker_2.jpg www.ratio.nl/media/products/large/contour.jpg then it is double insulated and just leave the earth disconnected. Use 3 A fuse for the flat europlug. If it is a really old equipment with a round solid plug then you cannot use it in a room with grounded sockets which would mean any room in the UK.

[@grassytramtracks]

If there are just 2 wires, then it's an appliance that has a non conductive case (ie is double insulated) and thus doesn't require an earth. Most smaller appliances in the UK don't have an earth but still have to have an earth pin because of how our sockets work. You can wire the plug and leave the earth pin not connected to anything and that is safe

[@azara7574]

@@grassytramtracks Thank you so much for taking the time to explain! That's useful stuff to know :)

[@macaroni7078]

Amazing! Thank you Sr.!

[@jodietipple7559]

Hi there, I'm doing something similar to a lamp for the first time, but the wire is a decorative braided/twisted wire. It looks like each encased wire is attached to just two points in the EU plug. Any insight you may have would be super. Thank you!

[@tinkertime7165]

Hi, it could be a double insulated light if it doesn’t have an earth (green & yellow) wire. If you have brown and blue, connect those as the video. The braided cable is a bit fiddly. Easiest way is to use a sharp knife to cut the braid first then pull it back and strip the coloured PVC insulation on the wires as per the video.

[@LittleRichard1988]

I cut euro plugs off of the majority of portable appliances as soon as the guarantee has expired but in my case they were all the 2 prong type on items such as a toothbrush charger and lamps. I tend to find it easier to use scissors to cut through the outer sheathe to prepare the wire.

[@proach]

Just wanted to say thanks, works perfectly

[@tinkertime7165]

You're welcome!

[@michellehendrie9801]

Hi i have a usa plug that i want to change to uk on the cable it says 300v but on the bottom of the base it says 110-120v will this work for me?

[@grassytramtracks]

If the appliance says 110V you will need a voltage transformer to use it in the UK - otherwise the 230V UK supply will grill your appliance

[@Dog-whisperer7494]

Uk nominal voltage is 230 volts. The current/ power rating of that thin is 600 watts, 600 defided by 230 =2.6 amps. So a 3amp fuse is required. The fuse in the plug top is there to protect the flex not the end user, ie you . If you stick with the 13amp fuse and a fault accuses the flex and plug will overheat and catch fire. Also those fuse are designed to safely carry more current than the rated current for a maximum of 30 minutes. In fact a 13 amp fuse will carry upto 27amp before it blows and it must blow within thirty minutes. Generally fuse will safely carry ruffley double there rated current, for upto thirty minutes. Oh just so you know I have been a qualified electrician for thirty eight years.

[@andrewpelling-e4z]

Thanks for the info. Will you be able to tell me which fuse I would be best to use on a Bosch drill 230v (possibly 110v) 720 watts with an EU plug that I want to change to a UK plug, please? On the Amazon warehouse page, it says the drill is 110v. Maybe that's a mistake by them, as it's a drill.

[@gretchenkessler2515]

I'm looking to convert the plug of an old Hungarian film enlarger I bought recently, and the guy told me he wasn't sure if it was "the new European plug or the old one," since it used to be his grandfather's. This plug says DFKO-102 10/250, and on the bit that plugs into the enlarger it says DKCF 2-102 10/250. I found an entry to a Hungarian museum mentioning an old coffee maker with a DKCF 102 plug from the 60s. Any guidance? :)

[@tinkertime7165]

Sorry I can't help with this. If the plug says 250v then it should be fine, there is good tolerances for voltages, most stuff rated at 230v will run between 210v and 250v.

[@elliespeller2295]

What if it is 250 v? Is that ok?

[@elliespeller2295]

It’s quite important, if you could respond please by tomoz

[@tinkertime7165]

Sorry just read this. All appliances have pretty wide tolerances so 250v is fine.

[@okaro6595]

There is no country that has 250 V. Traditionally UK was 240 V and Europe 220 V but 30 years ago Europe switched to 230 V. UK should also have switched but they did it only on the paper playing with tolerances. Some plugs may have 250 V. This is just the maximum voltage it is rated for, not the voltage the device is rated for,

[@grassytramtracks]

Yes, Mainland Europe and the UK use compatible voltages - voltage is only a problem with other countries like the USA or Japan

[@gen3x529]

Can i do this with power tools

[@tinkertime7165]

gen3x, yes pretty much anything that needs a different (uk) plug.

[@stefanoturriani3653]

Excellent, thank you

[@spiritlight4440]

Hi Mate, what's the best way to extend the cable and change the plug to UK? Solder the wires?

[@tinkertime7165]

Best way is to replace the cable completely. If you can get into the appliance.

[@spiritlight4440]

@@tinkertime7165 I had a sneaky suspicion you were going to say that. I've purchased a YIHUA 8858I Hot air tool and the cable is so short I have to use an extension lead which is really annoying. Unfortunately I have no idea how to open the Tool :(

[@spiritlight4440]

Thanks for the quick response though.

[@tinkertime7165]

@@spiritlight4440 the other option I have used is an in-line plug. Often made of rubber and used for electric lawnmowers. They are 3-pin so you have the earth if needed. Because they are kind of rounded on the corners they are better than anything else I have seen.

[@tinkertime7165]

@@spiritlight4440 search: Masterplug 3 Pin Non-Reversible Connector - Black 10A

[@brandonstevens6156]

What about if the voltage is different? I want to convert a US plug to a UK plug but how do I change the voltage

[@tinkertime7165]

Hi Brandon, you can change the voltage but it requires a transformer. If it’s a power tool you can use a UK 110v yellow site transformer, just put the 16a yellow plug on the equipment. If it’s a household appliance there are plug in type transformers available.

[@brandonstevens6156]

@@tinkertime7165 thanks mate

[@jesse7962]

you're awesome thank you so much !!!

[@tinkertime7165]

Glad it helped!

[@MindGapMG]

legend, can you do this with any piece of equipment like thermostats etc? will the thermostat still work the same as its original if I do this on a thermostat?

[@tinkertime7165]

It really depends on what you mean by thermostat.

[@grassytramtracks]

Sure, you're only changing the plug, nothing else. The only time you need to be careful is with appliances from the US - America has a lower voltage so you need to check the voltage range on the appliance, if it says 110-240V or 100-240V or anything like that then you can just change the plug, if the range doesn't go up to 230/240V, then you need a voltage transformer

[@peterfysh5125]

Thanks for this nice video.

[@tinkertime7165]

Most welcome

[@williamlemaire9882]

Welcome back Tinkertime... been wondering where ya been!

[@tinkertime7165]

Thank you!. Having others appreciate video's is a real encouragement to do more. I have 3 kids at home (and a wife), run a business, run several cars/vans/motorcycles, cut logs to heat the house, act in a local group amongst other things like working on the house (ongoing project) so time is precious. Plus I need some down time which normally entails watching youtube vids!! Ha!

[@ryandeery6930]

Cheers. Great vid

[@tinkertime7165]

Thanks Ryan.

[@horscaste]

Thank you for the video. I am in Germany. I will move to London in 2023. For economical reasons I want to take all my stuff to London: all my furniture and: 6 lamps, hair dryer, Bose speaker, Mac charger, iPhone charger, printer, kettle, espresso machine, smoothie maker, microwave, vacuum cleaner, washing machine, iron, fan heater, many multi socket extentions. Can you tell me if I can apply your system to all of these electric items? This would be great. I don’t want to buy again.

[@tinkertime7165]

Yes they should be fine. There are good tolerances on most pieces of equipment when it comes to voltages. UK fundamentally harmonised with europe on voltages some years ago, too.

[@horscaste]

@@tinkertime7165 Thank you!

[@randomvideo3600]

Very useful and well demonstrated. Thank you

[@tinkertime7165]

Thank you!

[@chiaradibi4168]

Thank you!!!!!

[@JuliaLadbrook]

So what if there are only two wires? One black, one white. Can I still use the same plug type ignoring the third pin? Thanks :)

[@tinkertime7165]

Yes, black is normally 'hot' (US colors) or live (UK brown) and white neutral (UK blue).

[@IAmThe_RA]

Must be a chinese kettle. Ditch it. A good kettle should be grounded/earthed to reduce the risk of electrical shocks in the event of a ground fault and to help the circuit breaker (gfci/rcd/rcbo) trip as soon as the fault occurs.

[@vk624]

But if it’s an European plug it will only have 2 wires not 3?

[@okaro6595]

Then you just leave the earth not connected. Any modern equipment without earth is double insulted. If it is an old equipment with a round plug without any cuts, then you should not use it or take it to a professional.

[@grassytramtracks]

It is supplying power to a kettle, a high draw appliance that is usually not double insulated, so it has an earth. Earthed appliances in Europe have their earthing via a pin on the socket and a hole in the plug (for France, Poland, Belgium, Slovakia and Czechia) or contact strips on the socket (most other European countries, but both systems are intercompatible). Appliances that are not double insulated are earthed just like in the UK, and in the UK, appliances that are double insulated don't have an earth, the earth pin on unearthed appliances is just to open the shutters over the live and neutral holes. There is a common myth that they don't have earth in Europe but all appliances are earthed in the UK, but that's not true - both places use earth when it is needed and don't when it is not

[@FloTelip]

About Swiss plugs and many other types in the world : kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHS2dJygqpKrd8U

[@okaro6595]

Actually Europe is 230 V and UK 240 V. UK should have 230 V but they just have 240 V and say it is 230 V.

[@tinkertime7165]

Agree, they have just altered the tolerances to keep in line with Europe.

[@purenkool2024]

Voila!

[@tinkertime7165]

Thanks!

[@Leatherkid01]

🤣🤣 EU is standardized to 230V (from 220V). UK was 240V (from 250) standardized to 230V to match the EU before brexit 🙄.... look it up... u dont need a 🇨🇦 to tell u that 😉 hi btw

[@tinkertime7165]

Correct! But the funny thing is, I don't think anyone chnaged voltages, they just increased the tolerances! Most of the time our voltage here reads right around 252/253v.

[@grassytramtracks]

The UK was always 240V and mainland Europe always 220V, but both regions are officially 230V, but they didn't actually change the voltage because 220V and 240V are both within tolerances