Oliver Mallia, St Paul’s Bay
Ongoing hazard from two-pin plugs
Can the Malta Standards Authority make sure that all imported appliances are equipped with three-pin plugs? In Malta, appliances with three-pin plugs should be a must, before an accident occurs. Most of the population, including myself, are driving knives, pens and similar objects into the earth sockets to plug in appliances with two-pin plugs.
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Mr Wally Vella-Zarb
Aug 25th 2011, 17:17
Pure and simple, the sale of appliances fitted with a two-pin plug should be made illegal or, at least, it should be forbidden for retailers to void the warranty if a three-pin plug is fitted. If necessary they can fit it themselves.
Merely requiring the retailer to provide a free 'adapter' is useless. The bulky adapters that are usually given by a leading discount chain are acceptable only when the appliance has the large, round, German type of plug because the resulting assembly is firm. Not so when the appliance has a flat two-pin plug. An inexpensive soldering iron that I bought last week had such a plug; after correctly assembling it into the 'adapter' that I was given, duly tightening the two screws, I could still manage to wiggle the plug and pull it out of the adapter.
This chain of shops also invokes the idea that changing the plug would void the guarantee. Given that to claim under the three-year guarantee I would have to provide the original receipt, (which is a farce because the receipt is printed on thermal paper and would have long become a blank well before that time), I decided to take my chances and to fit a proper three-pin plug myself. After all, my life is worth more than what I paid for the soldering iron.
Mr oliver mallia
Aug 25th 2011, 15:16
Dear Mr John Fenech thanks for your expertise information. Well done
@ Bud Moureaux – Flanders etc etc etc etc etc etc… You made me laugh too
Just to remind every one, do you remember the power wash accident in a farm? We had a victim too.
FULL STOP
Simon Oosterman
Aug 25th 2011, 14:08
The best longer term solution is that Malta goes (continental) European and converts to European plugs. While they are at it they should also start driving on the right side of the road. Joining the EU should have consequences! Otherwise we might as well have stayed a British colony.
Albert Scerri
Aug 25th 2011, 15:13
How about you go to continental Europe? That way YOU won't have any problems. By the way, there are other countries which while they were not part of the British empire, still drive on the left side of the road.
Philip Pryce
Aug 25th 2011, 19:36
From what I see, a lot of people have considerable problems driving on any side of the road.
Mr Tony Camilleri
Aug 25th 2011, 22:22
Simon Oosterman you can do that but forget that we are going to do what you said.
Mr Peter Korsten
Aug 28th 2011, 18:32
Mr Oosterman (Dutch descent, by the looks of it), that's a silly comment and you know it. For starters, the British BS 1363 plug and socket are much safer than the Europlug or Schuko. And the solution is to move to a European standard: IEC 60906-1. But that may take a while.
I'm sorry to hear that you have problems driving on the other side of the road; for me, I drive equally well (or badly, if you ask my wife) on either side. But we have a new and efficient bus service now, so that should solve your problem.
John Fenech
Aug 25th 2011, 13:38
The ideal situation is that the appliance will be supplied with the correct three pin fused power plug, to conform to the safety requirements of our wiring system.
Otherwise it is advisable to change the two pin to a three pin socket. The two pin power socket lacks earth protection and overloaded socket outlets by using adaptors can cause fires.
Extract from LEGAL NOTICE 181 of 2004:
(b) A standard plug shall incorporate a fuse link which conforms to MSA BS 1362.
(c) A standard plug shall be intended for use in ac circuits only, operating at rated voltages of not less than 200V
Maltese plug and when connected to a mains socket outlet that -
(i) Conforms to BS 1363 and,
(ii) Forms part of or is otherwise electrically connected to a domestic electrical installation in Malta, at 50 Hz and for carrying current loads up to 13A.
Same of the safety features of the three pin fused power plug:
•Plug is polarized, so that it cannot be inserted with the line and neutral pins reversed. This feature is important to make sure the fuse is in the line side of the supply.
•The longer earth pin ensures that the earth path is connected before the live pins, and remains connected after the live pins are removed.
•The design of the earth pin being of a larger dimension prevents it from being inserted into the phase or neutral
•The cable always enters the plug from the bottom, thus making it difficult for people to unplug the plug by tugging on the cable
•Fuse protection
riccardo borg
Aug 25th 2011, 16:58
Mr. Fenech, you're right. Isn't it cheaper to get a three pin instead of a two pin plug when purchasing the item?
An electrician could hardly be bothered to take on jobs like changing plugs. These are usually done by the householder, an electrical amateur, and here's where the trouble lies.
John Fenech
Aug 26th 2011, 17:10
Sometimes I wonder, is it worthwhile to be constructive..? I have never suggested jumping into the fire from the frying pan.
If you cannot find a qualified electrician what is your suggestion? Ask the ironmonger, a friend, check the internet how to connect the positive (L) (Brown /Red) Neutral (N) (Blue) Earth(E) (yellow /Green) to the 3 pin power plug as indicated on the diagram L,N,E on the socket outlet or give up. Yes, one other thing the fuse must be of the correct rating to protect the appliance.
Further information is at a payment !
Mrs Janet Bayes
Aug 25th 2011, 10:22
To those saying buy an adapter - - its not really the issue to buy an adapter. The appliance is not being sold in a safe, useable condition if it is fitted with a 2 pin plug. This is a health and safety issue.
Electrical items fitted with 2 pin plugs should not be sold - - the system here is 3 pin plugs. Are the importers to blame? Or should someone be enforcing the standards?
As for the writer of the original letter - - if you are STUPID enough to be shoving objects in plug holes to fit the 2 pin plug in the socket, you deserve whatever happens to you.
Bud Moureaux - Flanders (BE) & Xemxija, SPB (MT)
Aug 25th 2011, 10:18
Oliver!
Having read your comments, I only can say to you that you make me laugh. As already said by other readers, just buy an inexpensive adaptor or fit a 3-pin plug yourself, ... or instead of risking your life by trying to drive knives, pens and similar objects into the earth sockets, you could perhaps try a simple (for my part, used) TOOTHPICK!
Take care and have a nice day.
Bud
Anthony Stephens
Aug 25th 2011, 09:57
Or even fit a 3 pin olug yourself.
Mr J Tonna
Aug 25th 2011, 10:48
Once I was told that if I change to plug myself, the guarantee will not be valid. On asking what to do they told me that there are many ways of connecting it, (as was suggested here).
Mr Tony Gatt
Aug 25th 2011, 11:12
Doing that (i.e. cutting off the 2-pin and fitting a 3-pin plug) will invalidate the warranty) in most cases.
Duncan Tanti
Aug 25th 2011, 09:54
By law you are entitled for a free adapter from the seller.If the seller says no just leave the thing there and leave.most of the sellers give you the adapter.
Mr Lawrence Mifsud
Aug 25th 2011, 11:57
You are right. Reputable shops do give one for each 2-pin plug appliance. They are a little bit bulky and take up more space on the socket outlet. Caution: some types can be unsafe too. Customers should know about this or, ask the seller for instructions . Besides, a 2-pin should be fitted ONLY onto 'a double-insulated' appliance, thus not requiring an earth connection (the yellow/green wire).
Paul Konti
Aug 25th 2011, 09:41
Mr Mallia, whilst I agree with you in principle, there is no need for alarm. One can buy a very inexpensive adaptor which opens up the earth connection in the socket allowing a two-pin plug to be inserted easily. Pushing a screwdriver, or a key, or almost any other object in the earth connection is not really dangerous as long as the socket has been wired up properly. There are also some stores which give you a free adaptor when you purchase any of their electrical equipment which does not require an earth connection.
Jennifer Styevens
Aug 25th 2011, 08:55
you could just buy an adaptor