Art deco fire - no earth

[fionn]

Hello!

Please forgive my complete ignorance to do with anything electrical! My problem is that I've just bought a ceramic french art deco electric fire, and it has no earth. The lady I bought it off says she used it for years over in France. I realise it isn't safe without an earth, and am wondering if this can be sorted out. Is there some way you can add some sort of electric component to make it safe?

Hope someone can help!

Cheers,
Fionn

 

[plugwash]

got any pictures? are you sure it doesn't have an earth and isn't double insulated.

if you do need to add an earth then you'd need to remove the flex and replace it with earthed flex joined to the metal that requires earthing.

 

[andy]

Hello!

Please forgive my complete ignorance to do with anything electrical! My problem is that I've just bought a ceramic french art deco electric fire, and it has no earth. The lady I bought it off says she used it for years over in France. I realise it isn't safe without an earth, and am wondering if this can be sorted out. Is there some way you can add some sort of electric component to make it safe?

Hope someone can help!

Cheers,
Fionn

depends if its class 1 or 2. if 2 (double insulated) then earthing it can make it more dangerous. look for hte double insulated symbol.

 

[fionn]

Hi there,

Thanks for replying. I haven't got a picture right now, but it's a very old fire (1930s) if that helps. I opened up the plug and I saw there was no earth wire, which worried me. Sorry to ask this if it's a daft question but what is double insulated? If I replaced the flex with earthed flex is this a simple job to do?

 

[fionn]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for replying. What does the double insulated symbol look like, and where would I look for it? In the plug? Sorry if I sound like a complete fool, by the way!

The fire is very old - 1930s.

 

[andy]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for replying. What does the double insulated symbol look like, and where would I look for it? In the plug? Sorry if I sound like a complete fool, by the way!

The fire is very old - 1930s.

square in a square. altho for the age, you should consider gettin a new 1. god knows what dangers it could have

 

[fionn]

I know - I'll be very careful, but it really is the most gorgeous fire - never seen anything else like it (it's a girlie thing!) It'd be amazing in working condition.

 

[Adam_151]

Double insulated symbol is a square within a square, like:

 

[fionn]

Cheers Adam, I'll have a look for the symbol.

 

[ebee]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for replying. What does the double insulated symbol look like, and where would I look for it? In the plug? Sorry if I sound like a complete fool, by the way!

The fire is very old - 1930s.

Fionn ,
THROW IT OUT IMMEDIATELY or donate it to a museum love.
Honestly no joke get rid now!

 

[breezer]

fionn, may i point out the following:

it was made in 1930's
that means it is old
most unlikely to be double insulated
due to age wiring will be in a bad condition
As it is French (and old) it will not comply to any standards (even our old ones then)
Operating voltage is probably different* (may go zzzzzzzbang, if you plug it in now)
It will not comply with ANY saftey regulations
you also said "The lady I bought it off says she used it for years over in France" so why doesn't she use it here? because it is dangerous and or broken internaly

* I believe in the 1930s voltages varied from region to region in most countries

but as you said

never seen anything else like it (it's a girlie thing!)

I would suggest you cut the flex off at the fire and use it for a piece of art / decoration , NOTHING ELSE

 

[fionn]

Thanks ebee and breezer,

You're probably right.

Maybe I can keep the old ceramic bit and get it custom made into something else which is safe and up to date.

Real shame!

Thanks everyone for all your advice.

Fionn x