Ive Bought A New Computer And Its Got A 2 Pin Plug

[kingwilly]

Ive bought a new computer and its got a 2 PIN plug. Im going back to the UK next week, where can I buy something to make it work there? Do I need an adapter? Help"

[llortami]

may be you can use the electric kettle cord but then you cant make a nice cuppa tea when your on the computer

[kingwilly]

may be you can use the electric kettle cord but then you cant make a nice cuppa tea when your on the computer

do those cords really work? cos i've noticed that they look the same.

[llortami]

i sure it works give it a try when you get back to the uk and dont worry about it enjoy your holiday

[Guest Reimar]

I'll move this topic to the Computer Forum.

Cheers.

[Kerryd]

Ive bought a new computer and its got a 2 PIN plug. Im going back to the UK next week, where can I buy something to make it work there? Do I need an adapter? Help"

I'm assuming you bought the computer in Thailand and are planning on taking it back to the UK. When you are at the airport, there should be a bunch of shops that sell adapters. I've got a nice black one, looks like a round cylinder, that lets you plug into most common outlets. Can't quite remember, but I think there is a shop in the Departure Lounge area near the Burger King that sells those adapters. Or pretty much any shop that sells electronics should have them.

Alternatively, when you get back to the UK, go to a computer shop and buy a new power cable. The end that plugs into the computer should be the standard 3 flat pin connector (in a kind of triangular configuration, unless you are talking about a lap top), but then you'll have the proper UK connector on the other end.

I think the UK uses the same voltage (220-230) that Thailand does, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Same deal if you are using a laptop, though you'll have to make sure you get an adapter/power cable that is compatable with the brand of laptop you have (i.e. don't get an IBM power cord for a Toshiba laptop).

The adapter I mentioned above is probably your best bet if you are going to be travelling though. Saves having to carry different power cords around, and lets you plug in almost anywhere (even in the Middle East).

[kingwilly]

I'll move this topic to the Computer Forum.

Cheers.

oh. Ok, thanks MrReimer, i wasnt sure were to put it and all, cos it's sort of an electrical applicance questions, but i'm fine with putting it there.

thanks again, i do find the moderators helpful on this board.

[kingwilly]

Ive bought a new computer and its got a 2 PIN plug. Im going back to the UK next week, where can I buy something to make it work there? Do I need an adapter? Help"

I'm assuming you bought the computer in Thailand and are planning on taking it back to the UK. When you are at the airport, there should be a bunch of shops that sell adapters. I've got a nice black one, looks like a round cylinder, that lets you plug into most common outlets. Can't quite remember, but I think there is a shop in the Departure Lounge area near the Burger King that sells those adapters. Or pretty much any shop that sells electronics should have them.

Alternatively, when you get back to the UK, go to a computer shop and buy a new power cable. The end that plugs into the computer should be the standard 3 flat pin connector (in a kind of triangular configuration, unless you are talking about a lap top), but then you'll have the proper UK connector on the other end.

I think the UK uses the same voltage (220-230) that Thailand does, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Same deal if you are using a laptop, though you'll have to make sure you get an adapter/power cable that is compatable with the brand of laptop you have (i.e. don't get an IBM power cord for a Toshiba laptop).

The adapter I mentioned above is probably your best bet if you are going to be travelling though. Saves having to carry different power cords around, and lets you plug in almost anywhere (even in the Middle East).

thanks for that. so how much should i expect to pay at the airport, are they gonna rip me off there?

but i'm confused about the 3 pin or the laptop conenctior

[sweetchariot]

thanks for that. so how much should i expect to pay at the airport, are they gonna rip me off there?

but i'm confused about the 3 pin or the laptop conenctior

Shouldn't cost more than a few hundred baht.

KerryD was talking about the end of the lead that connects to a computer. On a desktop they are the standard 3 sockets in a triangle, but on a laptop they vary by manufacturer.

[kingwilly]

thanks for that. so how much should i expect to pay at the airport, are they gonna rip me off there?

but i'm confused about the 3 pin or the laptop conenctior

Shouldn't cost more than a few hundred baht.

KerryD was talking about the end of the lead that connects to a computer. On a desktop they are the standard 3 sockets in a triangle, but on a laptop they vary by manufacturer.

oh ok, cheers all, appreciate the help!

[Slip]

Seriously, a kettle plug is fine.

I can't remember the dire circumstances I must have been in back then, but I shared my kettle cord with my computer for a while. (Probably as a student).

No negative effects.

[b19bry]

I live in Dubai and almost all wall sockets are UK style 3 pin but strangely most appliances are sold with a 2 pin connector. The solution here is an adapter/power strip that handles multiple plug types and has a 3 pin wall connector.

A new power cord to the computer power supply would also work fine though a kettle has a heavier fuse loading than on a home computer. The third pin on the UK plug is an earth which most other countries seem to do without !

Either way not difficult or expensive to resolve.

[dumball]

Seriously, a kettle plug is fine.

I can't remember the dire circumstances I must have been in back then, but I shared my kettle cord with my computer for a while. (Probably as a student).

No negative effects.

The real problem here is not realy a problem at all,there is no true electrical ground in Thailand hence the need for only a 2 pin plug,just buy the correct grounded cord when you get back home and be done with it.Most modern day electrical 'Thingys' are multi voltage,so no problem there if there was a difference which there is not.

[distortedlink]

No problems, you do not need an adaptor.

The power voltage in Thailand is 220v, in the UK 240v. The difference is minimal and has no effect on the computer.

5 years ago I brought my computer over to Thailand from the UK, it worked perfectly well with the Thai electric power system. Since than I bought 2 new computers in Thailand at the same time, one for me, the other for my daughter.

When I came over from the UK I also brought a lot of UK 3 pin plugs and plug extensions with me. I have put the UK 3 pin plugs onto my Thai computers here, using them with the UK plug extensions with a Thai 3 pin plug connected to the UK extensions power leads that plug into my Thai wall sockets.

All you need to do is, when you have your Thai computer back in the UK, just connect your Thai power lead into the back of your computer and connect a UK 3 pin plug onto the power lead and plug it straight into the wall socket, no adaptors required.

If the power socket is a 2 pin on the back of your computer, take one or two spare power leads back with you. A power lead normally lasts the life of the computer anyway.

The only main difference between a computer bought in Thailand and those from the UK is that Thai computers are equipped with more internal cooling fans for the hot climate. I don't see that causing any problems, but are easy to take out if need be.

Edited June 3, 2008 by distortedlink

[Spudger]

Doesnt the voltage make any difference then? I heard things like this need a stepdown converter. Computers are cheap here I might buy one and take it back now.Is it the same for laptops?

[Naam]

The real problem here is not realy a problem at all,there is no true electrical ground in Thailand

speak for the shack you live in

[b19bry]

" No problems, you do not need an adaptor."

Yes, of course that's true, you don't 'need' an adapter if you remove the 2 pin and fit a 3 pin plug to you're power lead, however you're then restricted to a 3 pin power source. The 2 pin is more prolific and if you travel, for example with a laptop, is more flexible (i.e. in extremis a 2pin plug can be made to fit a 3 pin source but not the other way round).

Voltage can make a difference, if say you had a computer with a 110v (i.e. US style) power supply and plugged it into a European power source you'd quickly burn out the power supply.

Originally the UK mains supply voltage was specified at 240 Volts AC or, more precisely, 240 Volts RMS +/-6%, to allow harmonisation across Europe, the specifications were changed to 230 Volts RMS +10%/-6%. Thus the mains supply voltage will remain within European Union norms (standards) even if it varies between an upper limit of 253 Volts and a lower limit of 216.2 Volts.

However, most computer power supplies today, particularly laptops, are universal voltage so no problem.

[cluezo]

may be you can use the electric kettle cord but then you cant make a nice cuppa tea when your on the computer

[rober507]

all you need is an adapter from some computer shop - problem sorted