Curious about 2-pin Plug

[monday]

Ordered a chrome-plated Anglepoise lamp from Amazon as a Christmas present. Disappointed to find a 2-pin Euro plug on it. Amazon have made all the right noises and offered refunds/exchange/cost of a 3-pin plug etc. So happy there but just curious:

1. I believe it is illegal to sell any electrical appliance in UK without a BS fused 3-pin plug? Are there exceptions? or did Amazon screw up in the Christmas rush?

2. I was initially concerned by Amazon's suggestion of fitting a 3-pin plug myself as the lead was clearly 2-core ie no earth connection (on a steel-framed lamp). However on checking another Anglepoise lamp (similar chrome-plated, bought a year or two ago) I find that also has a 2-core lead but with a factory-fitted 3-pin plug. So presumably these lamps are double-insulated and don't need an earth?

 

[Robin0577]

1. Yes, they should either have supplied it with a UK 3 pin plug fitted, or, more commonly these days, one of these adapters fitted over the 2 pin euro plug. http://cpc.farnell.com/powerconnections/ecp-cl-r-5a/euro-cee7-to-bs1363-5a-clear/dp/PL09554
Most likely, they have chosen to go down the adapter route and quite simply omitted it.

2. That I would expect, virtually all similar lamps that I've seen are of class II (double insulated) construction

 

[Iggifer]

1. As above, I wouldn't bother with the adapter (although the farnell one is probably ok)
2. Check to see if the lamp has a symbol with one square inside another square. This will indicate that it's double insulated. If it does, crack on and put a standard plug on it (much better than an adapter anyday of the week, and make sure amazon pay you more for the cost of the plug than you pay for it....)

 

[Robin0577]

1. As above, I wouldn't bother with the adapter (although the farnell one is probably ok)

Nor would I personally, just pointing out that it seems to be the way most commercial operations do it theses days, it must be cheaper for them than having 2 different moulded plug production runs.

 

[kai]

Amazon might just send you either one of those modular euro conversion adaptors, or indeed a standard BS1363 plug for the lamp.

 

[Iggifer]

1. As above, I wouldn't bother with the adapter (although the farnell one is probably ok)

Nor would I personally, just pointing out that it seems to be the way most commercial operations do it theses days, it must be cheaper for them than having 2 different moulded plug production runs.

Yup, I had some velux electric blinds to fit recently, even they came with them

 

[securespark]

If you chop the euro plug off, you won't be able to send it back if there is an issue later on.

 

[monday]

Thanks for responses. Yes it looks as though Amazon intended the converter route. To be fair they have come to the party with a 15% discount (substantial as this is the floor standing one >£200) and a free converter.

Securespark - I covered the return issue as I was concerned about chopping off the 2-pin plug and then finding only a 2 core cable, such that a 3-pin plug would not actually achieve anything. Amazon agreed they would take it back with or without the plug attached. However I am now happy that the 2-core cable is OK so the issue does not arise - unless something else goes wrong but I have used Anglepoise lamps for years and still have four at the moment and I don't even have a drawing board anymore!

The lamp was for my daughter so she will use the converter until I am next over when I will put a "proper" plug on it.

 

[bhm1712]

If you chop the euro plug off, you won't be able to send it back if there is an issue later on.

Replacing a plug on an appliance or electrical equipment does not invalidate the warranty.

 

[ericmark]

I think reason for adaptor is it can be fitted by unskilled labour.