Guys,

I've just received some led parcans from Thomman. Like a schmuk I didn't think about plugging them in


How do you get around the plug issue ?

Thanks
Stace

You can get a special adapter, not just a shaver socket, it needs the earth connector on it (that is if its a class 1 light with earth) CPC sell them as do Maplin.

Jim

Cool Thanks !!

Can you actually cut the cable and connect iec plugs (or whatever they are called)?

According to this, any manufacturers importing electrical equipment into the UK has to comply with the same legislation as those operating from inside of the UK.

http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file38628.pdf

namely:-





Email them with a copy and tell 'em to get it sorted or to supply you with a convertor free of charge.

Or ask them if you can change the plug without invalidating any warranty.

Jim

QUOTE
Supply of Electrical Equipment: Specified domestic electrical equipment intended
to be connected to the mains power supply via plug and socket outlet is required to
be supplied fitted with a standard plug or conversion plug, see Regulation 12


That only applies to domestic goods. If the goods are used commercially then you are expected to know how to change a plug.

You can fit IEC plugs but it may invalidate the warranty.

I have cut mine off and replaced with IEC - no problems.

Never asked about warranty.

domestic goods are usually considered anything which is used within a household or portable. i.e are not intended to require a fixed supply or a direct connection to a fused spur outlet. In the past i've previously bought equipment from Electrovision with such moulded connections and they've always provided a convertor.



So why the talk about removing and changing the plug affecting warranties?. They can't have it both ways surely?.

They can and they do. Thomann will NOT honour any warranty with the plugs cut off. There are many types of EURO - UK mains adapters available, but only 3 satisfy the PAT regulations they are these:

This one for EURO Transformers

This one for 2 pin EURO plugs another type for the 2 pin plug

And This one for Schuko Euro plugs with an earth (never use a shaver socket with this type of plug)

All of these adapters are captive and will be acceptable for PAT, if they are not captive they are not acceptable. There are many styles and colours. For a couple of quid, why take the risk.

Thanks Gents,

I'll pop down to Maplin and grab a couple. Not cost effective to use CPC just for an order of these.


Stace

Sorted, Thanks Guys

As I've always advised people to cut off the schuko plugs from Thomann and fit standard 13A plugs, I thought I'd clarify the situation and have just received correspondence from Thomann:


'Replacement of a mains plug with another type does not affect our 3-year warranty on any goods supplied by Thomann'

From Britta Klett, Customer Service, Musikhaus Thomann.



So there you are! Get snipping.

I suspect the confusion arises from the no-quibble money back guarantee which is offered to any customer who is not satisfied with an otherwise perfectly working item who has simply changed their mind and wants a refund..in which case the goods will only be accepted back if they are fit for resale in original unmodified condition. This is not the same thing as a 3-year warranty!!

I'm certain they would invalidate the warranty should you wire it up wrong and damage it.

Jim

...in which case it's your own fault and you don't really have a valid warranty claim do you!!!

The point being, you should only do it if you are competent.

Jim

If a normal healthy adult connects a 13A plug up in such a way that it causes the equipment to blow up then maybe he shouldn't be allowed out!

Believe me I know people who don't know.
Even my wife thought blue went to the top pin.
BTW I'm an electronic engineer so luckily she has never put a plug on.

Jim

But does she build DJ lightshows!??

What they dont tell you is that should you replace the schuko with a 13A UK spec mains plug and plug it in you are in breach of electrical safety if you havnt had the alteration tested to certain regulations.

lets say, worst case scenareo, youve plugged the gear in that youve altered the plug on, and it causes a fault leading to an electrical fire. suddenly you need to claim on your insurance - but wait, you policy is now invalid because you havn't follow correct electrical safety procedure.

its serious red tape! but it could end up costing you a lot of money for what? an 80p plug?!?!!

A claim arising from changing a plug will not invalidate your public liability insurance.

The purpose of liability insurance is to cover you for negligent acts for which you are legally liable in law.

If it could be proven that the loss occurred through your negligence, then the claim would be dealt with.

In my former working life, I worked for major insurers for 25 years underwriting liability insurance.

whilst i dont doubt your professional knowledge, what i gave as an example above i have actually known of happening- not to me thankfully and an insurance comany went down this avenue and gave such a reason.

i dont know if the person followed the quote up or what the outcome was. but the company certainly attempted to knock the claim back on such grounds.

Liability insurance is a very complex subject and is very much intertwined with legal precedence.

Due to its complexity, the intentions of cover can be misinterpreted. I had to serve a 3 year apprenticeship with an experienced senior underwriter before I was allowed to do anything on my own. These days often employees straight from school are sat in front of a PC and told to get on with it with very little training.

Like most industries, the attitude changed over the years from "how can we help and provide the best service" to "how can we cut costs and maximise profits"

If you can find an old school experienced broker, then they would be able to help sort out ambiguity problems such as you mention.

A lot of the claims that I saw arose because of a breach of some regulation, mainly health and safety, but it never invalidated the claim.

What complicates matters further is that what some of the wordings appear to say and what they actually mean can be totally different. There are also rules that apply but aren't written in the policy. In both cases, what applies has usually been set by precedent following a previous court case. The interpretations are continually challenged in court and if a company feels that their claim has been thrown out due to an unfair precedent, then they will challenge it and possibly set a new precedent if they win. I still get emails from a solicitors mailing list giving updates of cases that have been settled and interpretation has been challenged.

Provided a claim was not caused by a deliberate act, by an illegal activity or by something that is specifically excluded by the policy, then it should be covered. But in some cases you may need a solicitor or legal adviser to ensure that the claim is dealt with correctly.

(sorry for the off topic waffle!)

On the contrary, surely. The 13A BS1363 mains plug of the UK is the one approved by the British Standards Institute for connection of appliances here and is therefore the correct one to use.