Changing electrical cords to UK-friendly?

Question

I'm moving back home to the UK and I want to take a few small electrical appliances with me. Can the plug-in end be changed from North American plugs to UK plugs? My appliances have that dreaded third "grounding" prong, so the plug-in adaptors I just bought won't work :(

Answer 1

You can change the plug to a UK style one, or break off the ground pin to fit into your adapter. However, UK runs 220 VAC, 50 Hz as opposed to the US 110 VAC, 60 Hz. You will burn out most appliances that are designed to run on 110 VAC if you plug them into 220 VAC. You need to make sure you use a converter, a step-down transformer, or that the appliance is designed to run off 110 or 220 VAC.

Answer 2

You can get the three prong to two prong adapters for around $.60-.99 that should change the grounded plug to a non grounded plug.
Or you could cut the cord and replace the end with a two prong plug (the green / bare or usually center wire is ground) wire in the black wire to bronze screw or the smaller prong / the white wire to silver or larger prong / clip the ground wire off.

easiest and cheapest
You could just break the ground prong (round or u shaped)off , usually they can be broken off in the rubber plug with a little twisting and rocking.

Answer 3

There is a few ways you can do this 1) you can take the existing plug off, maybe have to cut! (electrical experience required) and replace with a suitable uk electrically friendly plug (BS standard - approved) 2) or keep the existing plug and speak to a local friendly electrical retailer who will advise and select an adapter which will convert your US plug into a UK plug which will be suitable for a uk electrical outlet.

Hope this helps. all the best.

Answer 4

see above & take note.....................unless you want to burn your house down