Old wiring colours - is this English?

[alfietinker]

I've got a very old electric blender that I used for a couple of years with no problem, then forgot about. I've just got it out to use but we must have used the plug for something else.

There are 2 wires: one black and one blue. The lable shows the earthy symbol (2 concentric squares) so there is no earth wire. It says 250v 100w, Type M100.

Which is live and which is neutral?! It says on this website the old colours are Red, Black and Green, so I'm confused.

If this is meant to be on "electrics outside UK" I apologise!

Many thanks

 

[andy]

prob wont matter which is the live and neutral

 

[alfietinker]

Are you sure? I don't doubt you, just wonder why - I know nothing about 'lectrics and is a little nervous of going bang!

 

[brown-nought]

You could aways take a trip to Argos and by a new one - then you'd have peace of mind complete with a fitted plug.

 

[alfietinker]

Me got nice Kenwood Chef though! Someone else wanted this when I used it, so when I found it in a clearout, I just wanted to make sure it still worked OK. It looks all kind of retro-ish see.

Doesn't matter too much, just confused as to how we must have wired it before

 

[ChrisRogers]

Black = Live
Blue = Neutral

 

[andy]

Are you sure? I don't doubt you, just wonder why - I know nothing about 'lectrics and is a little nervous of going bang!

yes, am sure. unlike DC, where polarity is important, AC alternates so there is no polarity. however, the switcj should go on the phase side, not the neutral (so after the switch is not connected to phase permanently)

 

[Paul_C]

Some Continental flexes used to use black rather than brown for live. I've seen quite a few French appliances from the 1970s so coded.

I've also seen quite a few French Moulinex mixers, blenders, etc. in which the switch was wired to the blue side of the flex. It really isn't a big deal, as in most of the Continent they would be used with plugs which are reversible anyway.

 

[alfietinker]

Thank you all very much - it now works!