Thanks
Just wondering if those of you with German or French appliances use adapters to connect them to Swiss plug sockets or do you replace the plugs with Swiss ones? Are there any multi-standard plug sockets available in Switzerland?
We just buy the adapters from Amazon and live with it.
Generally I replace them, and have had so many CH-France conversions, in both directions, over the years the I often change the whole lead complete with its moulded plug, nearly always salvaging the leads from anything that gets thrown away.
But that's because I'm a cheapskate who resents paying even the couple of francs for a replacement plug.
Using adaptors is not a good long-term solution, especially given the lack of stability inherent in the Swiss 3-pin plug, where the extra weight of adaptors will often be enough to pull the plug away from the socket.
Oh. Well obviously not everyone agrees with me on that latter point
A Swiss Plug https://www.hornbach.ch/shop/Stecker...9/artikel.html
CHF 0.95
Box of 100 ferrules (Good for up to 33 plugs) https://www.hornbach.ch/shop/Aderend...2/artikel.html
CHF 1.80
The joy of proper seating plugs and able to use all three outlets of a socket. https://www.hornbach.ch/shop/Edizio-...9/artikel.html
Priceless.
Eh, 2.5 years on and still going strong.
Are you standing on yours?
KISS
I would not suggest that you start replacing sealed EU plugs with CH stuff you can buy in Hornbach. Especially with any appliances that draw higher power or is left on all of the time, that have the plug where you can not see it while the appliance is being used.
Keep it simple like the parallel importers do and buy/install these EU to CH plug adaptors. If you need dozens, you can buy them from Alibaba or if just a few, you can get them from Digitech here in CH and you are done in 2-3 days. They are available in black and whitel.
Adapters should NOT be used on a permanent basis.
Replace the plug.
I have burned out adapters (and extensions), I have yet to burn out a plug.
Tom
And if you need to plug 2 or 3 EU plugs (think kitchen appliances) into a CH T13 socket (the recessed version), you will find with any adaptor plug that you "may" have a problem plugging more than one in at a time.
The solution is offered by a Basel based company that make special EU to CH adaptors for the T13 sockets.
Link: https://www.elcada.com/
They have a pop-up 15% discount at the moment.
The Hornbach plugs are rated at 10A - the maximum rating for appliances anyway so what's the problem with replacing plugs?
Of course there is the problem of safety if someone does not do it properly but that's a problem for most things in life from cooking a piece of chicken to driving a car.
If this is an issue, it will be an issue with an adapter as well. Plug, adapter, socket, wiring, an breaker/fuse are all rated for max 10 Amps (breaker can also be 13 Amps).
If an appliance draws more power you will need a T23 socketand you have to mount the respective plug.
Adapters are pretty cheap on Aliexpress.
Most people have learned how to cook a chicken or drive a car (there are days that I wonder). Not everyone can do a proper job of changing a plug.
My suggestions err on the side of safety. Each of us takes our own risks but the OP should be aware that a fire started by a self installed plug will probably not be covered by his insurance.
If a DIY mounting of a plug to cord is considered gross negligence. Then surly using a cheap Chinese adapter lacking an S+ safety mark might be as well.
It can be done with a Swiss knife.
Anyway, when I need to use a Swiss plug in Italy, I just break off the ground pin (works in most EU countries).
Tom
If you really cannot perform the simple task of changing a plug then you should be barred from using any sort of electrical appliance.
As for safety, you're clearly reaching your own conclusions rather than basing your views on any actual knowledge. It would be incredibly difficult to create a fire hazard with an incorrectly wired plug, assuming properly installed wiring; much easier to do so by using multiple adaptors and extensions, especially if you source them through Alibaba or similar.
Heh. Done that myself on occasion too, notably on a travel kettle that remained that way for five or six years.
It’s relatively easy, yes - if you’re the handy type, or you’ve done it once before. For many people, the idea is intimidating, and many people would be likely to strip the wires incorrectly, potentially leading to an inability to transmit enough current (stripping a lot of the copper strands out) or a fire hazard (stripping the wire too far back). An inability or fear to do such work is not unreasonable.
Thanks for the replies. Those adapters look very handy!
Thats a result of the EU nanny state, when I was younger appliances came without a plug.
I don't believe you scare on insurance, Odile lost her bet on an amateur installed washing machine when the landlord had said no. 3rd party Insurance would pay for flood damage.
How incompetent are you?
Tom
Clearly he is totally incompetent as he groaned & red repped me for groaning him.