Ultrafire charger damn obvious question about UK plug

agent_buchwald · December 2009

Sorry if this is dopey but I got my dealextreme order today, top service, and the charger has a US? 2 pin plug on it - is it just a case of wiring in a UK 3 pin plug with the 2 wires to the live and neutral.
I'm assuming it doesn't matter which goes to which as it's AC, is that right?
Only asking because the mounding on the charger end is shaped so it only fits in one way round, thanks in advance and Happy Christmas.

biff55 · December 2009

so long as the equipment is rated at 220 - 240 volts AC then a plug adaptor will work.
if not , it is useless with UK mains power.

supersonic · December 2009

Most are rated 110-240 volts - use the correct adapter.

biff55 · December 2009

re-read your post , do not cut off 2 pin plug and fit UK 3 pin plug
if you get polarity wrong , ie. wires wrong way round , you wll blow it up
use adaptor.

CraigXXL · December 2009

biff55 wrote:

re-read your post , do not cut off 2 pin plug and fit UK 3 pin plug
if you get polarity wrong , ie. wires wrong way round , you wll blow it up
use adaptor.

So what stops you plugging the US plug in either way and changing the polarity?

agent_buchwald · December 2009

Thanks for the response, nothing to stop me getting an adapter but I've got enough plugs lying around and it would be a permanent fix -
there's nothing to stop the US 2 pin going in either way round so I thought polarity wouldn't matter but there is a moulding so it only goes in 1 way round at the charger end, most leads like radio etc go in either way.
Just interested as it's not my sphere of knowlege, hard to tell what is really but mains electricity isn't.

jonnyc2420 · December 2009

so could you use a shaver point to charge it? (forgive my limited knowledge if this is a daft question?)

agent_buchwald · December 2009

I suppose so but I havn't got one in the house and the Travelodge is a mile away.

jonnyc2420 · December 2009

days inn are better..........

biff55 · December 2009

CraigXXL wrote:

biff55 wrote:

re-read your post , do not cut off 2 pin plug and fit UK 3 pin plug
if you get polarity wrong , ie. wires wrong way round , you wll blow it up
use adaptor.

So what stops you plugging the US plug in either way and changing the polarity?

slightly different size / shape pins on the 2 plug ensures correct plugging into US sockets.

biff55 · December 2009

jonnyc2420 wrote:

so could you use a shaver point to charge it? (forgive my limited knowledge if this is a daft question?)

shaver socket provides only 110 v isolated from earth.

ps . i'm an english elecrician studying US wiring regs.
any advice i give on this topic has your safety at foremost.
i have the skills to bodge cross voltage supplies , most of you wont.

biff55 · December 2009

and as its xmas i'll waiver my usual technical advice fee.

deffler · December 2009

I use the power lead from my Sky box to charge mine

agent_buchwald · December 2009

Thanks for the help, Christmas is a bad time for a house fire so maybe I'll buy an adapter, cheers and Happy Christmas.

Ultrafire charger damn obvious question about UK plug

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