Can A Plug Be Changed On This?

[Barsel]

I asked a question a while ago about an ebay item I bought but unfortunately didn't get any replies. Anyway I have now settled with the seller who is going to refund my money and I can keep the item. The question I have is, can the moulded 2 pin plug be cut off and a proper plug put on? Thanks.
https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1684408.html

[emmie]

i wouldn't do it to be honest, i think they are fixed on and that's it.

[Buenchico]

There's absolutely no reason why you can't simply cut off the 2-pin plug and replace it with a 3-pin one as far as the connection to the mains is concerned (assuming, of course, that the product is designed to work with a 220/230V supply).

However if you're buying electrical goods from China, there's always the risk that the product itself might not be of adequate quality with, for example, a potential risk of fire.

[Barsel]

Chris, most of the label is written in Chinese but it does say 220V and 22W/9W . There are also some other numbers like GB4706.8-2008 and GB4706 1-2005 but I don't know what this means. I'm assuming this wouldn't have an earth wire and wondered if it should?

[Buenchico]

There's nothing (like a metal chassis or cabinet) that could (or should) be connected to earth, so there's no earth wire required.

As I've indicated above, changing the plug wouldn't worry me at all. What worries me with such items in general though is their overall safety.

I was recently considering purchasing some heated pads for my four feline friends. (They're much the same as the product you've got). However I decided against it because I didn't want to risk buying something from China that might potentially overheat and burst into flames.

Living close to the largest container port in the country (Felixstowe), I constantly read reports in our local press about consignments of unsafe goods from China being seized at the docks. So I tend to be wary of buying any electrical goods from China unless I'm buying them through a reputable source. (e.g. I might buy a Chinese-made heated pet pad if it was being sold by Pets at Home but not from an eBay seller).

[Barsel]

Thanks Chris. I had no idea this was coming from China as it was described as UK Stock, and there was no mention of an adaptor. I think the best thing to do would be to take out the pad and put a hot water bottle in instead.

[Buenchico]

From your own eBay link:
http://www.upl.co/uploads/173219eBay1575894356.jpg

I'm probably just being over-cautious (although items boxed with continental plugs and adaptors are among those that get seized at Felixstowe docks, as it's illegal to sell them that way in the UK) but your suggestion of retaining the cover but using a hot water bottle sounds a good one to me. Just don't scald yourself with the hot water though ;-)

[The Builder]

I agree with Chris in as much as you just cut of the US 2-pin plug and fit a 3-pin.

But.... no earth is needed if the product is double insulated. Since it's a 2-pin, then I would guess it is.

Double insulation is usually identified by a symbol of a square within another square,

With Chinese, who knows? There may be no marking, but it may be ok.

[Barsel]

The Builder, don't think I want to take the chance really. It hasn't cost me anything and the cushion with a zip is usable so I'll just put a hot water bottle in it.

[Barsel]

The builder, just looked at the label again and it does have a square in a square but the writing underneath it is Chinese so I din't know what that meant.

[The Builder]

I think that's wise, Barsel.

As Chris has said, it is Ebay after all. I've bought loads of things such as hardware/shelf brackets etc from China on Ebay, but I think anything electrical would need to be shown to be safe by our standards.

[jennyjoan]

some years back an American lad bought me electric hair curling tongs when I was holidaying in America. I came home and fitted a British plug onto them. When I next switched them on in Ireland - the tongs melted. So I think or know that our electric energy was too strong for the appliance. you could give it a go but keep an eye on it.

[jennyjoan]

didn't see your post re the hot water bottle. I would do that too.

[Buenchico]

Jennyjoan:
The USA uses a 120V electrical system, whereas we use a 230V one. Simply swapping plugs on a device intended for the US market definitely isn't a good idea!

[The Builder]

It's Ok Chris, the product is advertised as 220V.

Barsel, that is the international symbol for double insulation.

But you know how the Chinese like to copy things ;o(((((((((

[The Builder]

Sorry Chris, I didn't realise you were talking to Jenny :o(

[KARL]

A Chinese product is in my view very possibly, even probably, perfectly satisfactory in every way, to suggest/hint that just because it is Chinese it is not is rather low. The other point is that a two pin plug is perfectly proper - but arguably not for someone who prefers (perhaps simply for reasons of local practicalities) the abominable UK three pin plug (it is what the sockets are designed for, unfortunately, so one is stuck). A perfectly functional solution is an adaptor (easily obtainable), else replace the plug with a UK plug. Its earth terminal/pin will not serve any purpose at all - quite acceptable and normal, there are plenty items sold and in circulation in the UK with "false"-earth-pinned plugs (the pin is made of plastic).

[bhg481]

It's exceedingly low power - just buy an adapter similar to this and plug it in to that.

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[1581960]

Just using an adaptor might be the easy way out.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Two-Pin-Shaver-Adaptor-Plug-UK-Three-Pin-Socket-Plug-1-Amp-Fuse-Bathroom-Shaving/173004678120?hash=item2847e1e3e8:g:6E8AAOSw-jFaFLGm

[jennyjoan]

chris LOL - I did not research these things - particularly when I was young - just wired things, fixed fuses, plugs, ceiling lights merged with a plug for an electric blanket - done the lot and "hoped" for the best.

[Buenchico]

>>> A Chinese product is in my view very possibly, even probably, perfectly satisfactory in every way, to suggest/hint that just because it is Chinese it is not is rather low.

Any reputable importer of Chinese goods knows that it's illegal to sell electrical items with a 2-pin plug plus an adapter. (That's one of the many reasons Chinese imports get seized at Felixstowe dock). So the goods offered on eBay by the seller Barsel purchased from have obviously come from an importer and/or manufacturer with scant regard for UK/EU regulations. To me, that would suggest that there's a higher chance of the goods not meeting safety standards in other ways too.