Is it safe to change this molded American plug (electric kettle) ?

[Woodfortrees]

Please forgive me if I am asking a stupid question, but I want to be cautious because electrics etc...

So I bought an electric kettle and it turns out it's American, with an American molded plug (3 flat prongs). It arrived with a little travel adaptor (US > multi, inc UK). Using an adaptor adds extra bulk so I'd like to cut off the molded American plug and put a normal UK one on.
But is that OK - it that safe to do?
And should I check anything vis volts or wattage etc?
Or make sure of anything else, eg. fuse?

 

[AdrianUK]

Its not American, its AUSTRALIAN.

The Oz plug is like the US one but has the blades twisted. Australia uses the same system that we do.... 240V 50Hz. So you could cut the plug off & fit a UK one.

However, I am suspicious that most the that rating plate is in Chinese but claims a CE mark (which would not be needed for sale in Australia).

Electrically, the voltage is compatible.... but I would advise ... proceed with caution!

 

[Jurassicspark]

Dish that travel adaptor away and buy this,

https://www.screwfix.com/p/essentials-13a-fused-heavy-duty-plug-black/68744

 

[pete01]

I thought Australian sockets were like this..

 

[Murdochcat]

Send it back for a refund and buy one from Argos ?

 

[Ragnar_AT]

The travel adaptor they supplied (and the fact they even needed to include one) doesn‘t inspire much confidence in the quality of the kettle. These universal sockets accept almost any type of plug but none of them fit properly and safely.

 

[opps]

As above, the base has a CE (conformity european) marking. I very much doubt that any labeling in Chinese is CE compliant.

I can't see why you can't fit a new plug but the fact that the manufacturer doesn't seem to have been totally honest, I would recommend buying a new kettle which is compliant.

 

[AndyPRK]

Where did u order this from? Out of interest ?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Not genuine:

 

[yorksbuilder]

CE : Chinese Export

 

[plugwash]

Its not American, its AUSTRALIAN.

More likely Chinese, China uses a 3 pin plug that is very similar to the australian one.

 

[Murdochcat]

CE : Chinese Export

Chinese excrement

 

[andy_nufc]

I don't think that can legally be sold in the UK.

 

[plugwash]

To sum up.

* Fitting a UK plug is safer than using an adapter. Replacing the plug will also allow the size of the conductors to be inspected.
* A domestic applicance suitable for use with a normal socket outlet is legally required in the UK to be supplied with a 13A plug. Of course if you imported it yourself from a non-uk supplier you can't really expect this.
* The overall quality and safety of the device is unknown, but the fact that it was bundled with a cheap and nasty adapter doesn't inspire confidence.

 

[DIYWell]

I don't think that can legally be sold in the UK.

You are correct.

The CE mark is used to confuse on purpose. The difference is in the letter spacing. If you project the circle of the C forward, it will just touch the E in the quality mark. In the Chinese Export CE, the letters are much closer together.

In any event, Auzie kettle with a deathdapter at best. If you are curious and don't care about the kettle, lop off the plug and and strip a bit of the cable. If the cut wire strands don't twist together, it's aluminium. Then bin it.

If you want a longer life, ask for a refund and threaten the sellers with Trading Standards.