Changing a Chinese flat two pin plug to uk use

[Allisonkb]

Hi everyone.
I recently bought an art nouveau style lamp from an auction . I saw it had a two pin plug with flat prongs and assumed that I could just remove it and replace with a standard uk plug . I cut the end off and then realised that it’s only got two wires in the lead and neither is coloured . After cutting the plug off I realised there are some adapters available but still not sure if one is available for this . Please can anyone advise me
Thanks

 

[blup]

If there are no metal parts that need earthing, i.e. it’s Class 2 double insulated, and the conductors and fittings are suitable in size and condition, it should be fine. The cores will be for live and neutral and should really be coloured brown and blue (or red and black, if older). It is the copper wire that conducts the electricity not the colour of the insulation. So treat one as live and one as neutral when wiring the plug.

It would helpful to post a pic to a general idea of the condition of the lamp and wiring though.

Blup

 

[bernardgreen]

Are you certain is only a plug and not a plug with a built in power convertor ( electronic transformer ) that supplies the lamp with a voltage that is lower than 230 V ?

 

[huggybear]

Hi Allisonkb

If the plug was only two flat prongs you will also need to check if the lamp can work up to 240V. It sounds like an American style plug and they are normally used up to 120V. You may destroy your lamp when plugged in.

Post pictures of the lamp and any labels available before you attach a British plug.

Regards,
Huggybear.

 

[Allisonkb]

Thanks . Will do

 

[ericmark]

China supplied Hong Kong when I was there and supply same as UK. But they used all sorts of plugs and sockets, a real mixture. So what does it say, pictures are good.

 

[opps]

Hi Allisonkb

If the plug was only two flat prongs you will also need to check if the lamp can work up to 240V. It sounds like an American style plug and they are normally used up to 120V. You may destroy your lamp when plugged in.

Post pictures of the lamp and any labels available before you attach a British plug.

Regards,
Huggybear.

The chinese use flat blade two pins plugs as well.

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Just wondering... if the cable is, for example, 0.5mm, and the appliance uses a bulb size that is compatible does it really matter if you stick to a 100w (incandescent 230v bulb) even if the lamp was designed for 120v- you are still only at 0.43 amps, which is lower than the amperage if it was 120v

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

If it includes any sort of switch, then the switch must isolate the live terminal.

 

[Allisonkb]

Thanks everyone . Here’s the pictures

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

If that is a screw in lamp bulb, then you must make sure that the live wire goes to the centre pin of the lamp holder, neutral to the threaded outer.

 

[flameport]

Lampholder rated for 110 volts, and that 'zip cord' style of flex isn't approved for use in the UK either.

It's an old USA item. If you want to use it in the UK, it will need to be rewired including a new lampholder.

 

[huggybear]

Hi Allisonkb,

As we've seen the pictures now, it isn't suitable for use in the UK unless you rewire and change the lampholders.

Regards,
Huggybear.

 

[bernardgreen]

 

[blup]

A company like this has a good range of lampholders and cords to retrofit and will advise accordingly.

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Blup

 

[Allisonkb]

Thank you every one . Very much appreciated I will see about getting it rewired