How can I safely use a German coffee machine in the UK?

[Mexico14]

Could any help with my query please? I bought a coffee machine but it come with a German plug, can this be used safely in the UK? It works with the adapter pictured. However shouldn't a coffee machine be earthed? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[DPG]

Anyone competent can fit a mains plug. Bosch are not going to want video evidence that you paid a qualified spark to come and do it.

And it's a much better solution than an adaptor.

 

[Zerax]

Just bring it round to me Mex... I'll pop a new plug on it for free !... (plus the cost of the plug)

 

[freddo]

Ok, so you COULD plug it in upside-down, but you can plug it in the right way up!

Which is why appliances made for the european marked are designed to be connected either polarity. Many sockets only have the earth terminal marked, the line connections left blank.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Maybe, but the convention in the EU is to have the phase on the right.

 

[Midwest]

Anyone competent can fit a mains plug. Bosch are not going to want video evidence that you paid a qualified spark to come and do it.

And it's a much better solution than an adaptor.

You've not been involved in an insurance /warranty claim before then?

 

[DPG]

You've not been involved in an insurance /warranty claim before then?

Yes I have. More than once.

And there is nothing wrong with replacing a damaged mains plug.

Same as there is nothing wrong with hard wiring appliances to FCUs

 

[Mike Johnson]

So many myths surrounding warranty claims being debunked by changing a plug, if the appliance has a CU certificate or World Wide Guarantee the company has to honour it, obviously they will defend themselves if they think the claim in not legitimate, but the perpetuation of this myth is by people who don't know their rights, I purchase a laptop in the US and brought it to the UK used the correct charger (changing from 110 to 230) and when the screen started to play up a few pertinent e-mails to the manufacturer and it was replaced, don't believe the myths.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

Thanks for the replies. Really helpful. Until I obtain an adapter or fit a UK plug is it considered dangerous to use? I understand that not every county uses an earth on their sockets for example USA.

The USA uses earthed sockets, though they will accept 2 pin plugs.
http://www.plugsocketmuseum.nl/NorthAm1.html

 

[GeorgeCooke]

One problem with most adaptors is that the Live and Neutral are reversed when you plug it into the adaptor, because the 13amp plug fits in upside down, therefore the fuse in the 13amp plug is on the Neutral side.

What you are saying applies when you have a 13 amp plug that you want to adapt to a European socket, the other way round to what we have here.

 

[Midwest]

Yes I have. More than once.

And there is nothing wrong with replacing a damaged mains plug.

Same as there is nothing wrong with hard wiring appliances to FCUs

Yes I know there isn’t per say, but from my research some manufacturers have some limitations, Bosch is one.

 

[Mike Johnson]

I have been told that the problem is most of the service centres are not owned or operated by Bosch, the owners of the centre pay Bosch to represent them and have to foot the bill for warranty claims unless it's a recall, if you did not buy the item from that centre they will be very reluctant to help.

 

[DPG]

I have been told that the problem is most of the service centres are not owned or operated by Bosch, the owners of the centre pay Bosch to represent them and have to foot the bill for warranty claims unless it's a recall, if you did not buy the item from that centre they will be very reluctant to help.

Shouldn't affect the customer's statutory rights though. You are still entitled to a year's trouble free service from the appliance.

 

[westward10]

Only on here can such a simple task as suggested by @DPG in #2 turn into 27 odd posts?

 

[DPG]

Only on here can such a simple task as suggested by @DPG in #2 turn into 27 odd posts?

They'll have had a cup of tea by now instead.

 

[Midwest]

Only on here can such a simple task as suggested by @DPG in #2 turn into 27 odd posts?

Only if carried out by a qualified electrician. Anyone?