Fit a 3 pin plug or not?

[rayinkrabi]

Hi all, following an interesting discussion in the motor form about pressure washers, I have to ask, is it safe to fit a 3 pin plug 'just to be extra safe' to an appliance that is double insulated and comes with a 2 pin plug... but already has a 3 core cable fitted? and, if the 3 pin plug is fitted can it in any way be harmful to the appliance?

[Crossy]

Hmmmm, are you sure it has only a 2-pin plug if it's got a 3-core cable?

There's nothing wrong with installing a 3-pin plug on the end of that cable, but where does the 3rd (ground) core go at the washer end? If it's just hanging around you're achieving nothing.

If it really is double-insulated (with the double square symbol) then you should NOT attach a ground to any available metal on the appliance, it's been designed to run with that metalwork floating and grounding it could compromise the double insulation (unlikely but still a possibility).

If you're worried, then install an RCD (GFI) outlet for your washer, or install a whole house RCD (Safe-T-Cut) if you don't already have one.

[David48]

^^ The symbol mentioned above looks as this ...

[rayinkrabi]

Thanks crossy (I was hoping you would answer this one) and Thx David, yes that is the double insulated symbol. Yes, my pressure washer, with the double insulated symbol, came with a 2 pin plug but has a 3 core cable so I fitted a 3 pin plug to it hence my query. And yes, I do have a safe-t-cut.

Maybe Zinsano just fit a 3 core cable as standard?

Edited May 14, 2014 by rayinkrabi

[topt]

Thanks crossy (I was hoping you would answer this one) and Thx David, yes that is the double insulated symbol. Yes, my pressure washer, with the double insulated symbol, came with a 2 pin plug but has a 3 core cable so I fitted a 3 pin plug to it hence my query. And yes, I do have a safe-t-cut.

Maybe Zinsano just fit a 3 core cable as standard?

Sorry if this is a daft question but other than cutting into the cable how can you tell it has 3 wires?

I also have a Zinsano (Andaman)

[rayinkrabi]

Not daft at all, and a good question, the cable was thicker than usual so I took a chance...hence the query.

[Torrens54]

Couple of years ago we paid an alleged Electrician, in CNX to supply and install 3 Pin Sockets throughout the house. They even had "OFF and ON" switches and a little Blue Coloured light to tell you when the switch is "ON."

Within a few months, almost ALL of them had problems with the "On/Off" switch. It simply jammed or in some cases, fell out!

The Alleged Electrician was very reluctant to come and fix/change the plugs but he did show up, took a look and said he would get Replacements.

Think he has changed his phone number....maybe even moved house....in short, we had to find another electrician who found a different brand of socket, which so far is okay.

[noodle]

I believe that 'Earthing' has never been popular in Asia.

These days since most electrical items have plastic cases wherein it would be difficult to touch anything metal it would be pointless to add an earth.

3 pin wall sockets do not imply that an effective earth is connected.

Using an RCD in a 2 wire circuit is a better alternative to an earth.

Some instantaneous water heaters made in Thailand include these.

Edited May 15, 2014 by noodle

[worgeordie]

I think you will find that a lot of electrical goods here,like Irons,Pumps,Pressure washers,

have 3 core wires BUT only 2 pin plug,but they have a hole to fit an earth pin,but i have

never found where to purchase the pins,so i just cut those off and fit a UK plug on it,as I

have UK sockets fitted in the house,I find these are the best,plug anything in and they

are stable, not wobbling about like the Thai 2 pin kind, also they have a fuse fitted.

regards worgordie