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I was given a strimmer by a Freecycler, which may or may not work - but the plug is broken, missing a prong:



Can I simply replace the plug as with any normal item, like a kettle or radio (which I'm capable of doing) or is it a different kind of plug, requiring special treatment? It looks as though the missing prong was only made of composite/plastic, which I don't quite understand.

I haven't tried plugging it in, and don't want to, till I've got some advice... :) 

if it was me i would cut the old plug of and fit a normal plug to it,

As it's for outside use you will need a waterproof  & I think shatterproof. You can get rubber ones. I am sure a man will be along soon to confirm or put you right.  ::)
Janet.

Janet........here's the man.

A new plug  doesn't have to be waterproof. If water gets in it will short out and blow a fuse or circuit breaker. No sweat.

However,  don't rely on an earth connection for full protection against shock. You must have a residual current device in your meter board that measures current in and current out. If there is a difference (someone is about to be fried) it trips before the damage is done. Test it monthly.  :)

Thank-you my man.
Janet

A residual current device? Eek! What is that and where do you get one? We do have a fuse board, which seems slightly trip-happy (which worries me a little, as to the state of the electrics in this house). Will the fuse-board be enough to protect us, or do we need to obtain on of these strange devices? :)

Yes that will be fine so long as you have rcd protection somewhere. Get a new rubber type plug put on it and give it a whirl(hopefully)

If you look at the broken pin you will see that it is NOT an earth pin, there is no earth circuit (double insulated equipment). The only purpose the third pin serves is to prevent putting the plug in the wrong way round, which doesn't matter anyway with double insulated equipment. Continental two pin plugs can be inserted either way, even when they have an earth contact on the side.

that broken pin also unlocks the other holes to allow them to enter the socket.
just cut it off and put a new plug on.

Quote from: hellohelenhere on February 25, 2009, 20:06:53Will the fuse-board be enough to protect us, or do we need to obtain on of these strange devices? :)

I personally would just cut the plug off, put a normal plug back on. You could wear rubber gloves, wellies and a plastic mac just to be safe.  ::)

Quote from: les65 on February 25, 2009, 20:46:19
that broken pin also unlocks the other holes to allow them to enter the socket.
just cut it off and put a new plug on.

Or you could use a knife or a knitting needle in the hole where the broken pin goes to unlock the socket and bobs your uncle away you go.

You can buy an RCD device that plugs into the socket then you plug the strimmer, lawnmower etc into that but test the rcd everytime you use it. You shouldn't really use any electrical equipment outside without one.

Quote from: hellohelenhere on February 25, 2009, 20:06:53
A residual current device? Eek! What is that and where do you get one? We do have a fuse board, which seems slightly trip-happy (which worries me a little, as to the state of the electrics in this house). Will the fuse-board be enough to protect us, or do we need to obtain on of these strange devices? :)

Most Supermarkets have (around £5) they should always be used with equipment which has an earth circuit. Be warned, equipment without an earth circuit does not isolate the mains, I know from experience, having cut through a live cable (both wires) and it was still live afterwards. So they are not 100% reliable. I am not very happy with double insulated equipment after that.

I'd put a new plug on, but be careful about leaving it out in the rain.

What did we all do before rubber, all weather, all terrain,  super insulated,  all singing all dancing plugs came along?  We used a normal 3 pin plug with the correct fuse and applied some common sense ie we didn't leave it outside in all weathers.
So, as suggested previously, cut the plug off, fit the correct fuse, be sensible and for extra safety use an RCD.
Now, what do we do about those of us who cut the lawn in flip-flops!! ;D ;D

i suggest you learn to sew Two choices so you can sew your toes back on or wear something more substantial on your feet. ;D

Thanks Kea, I'd better not use the mulching mower then!!  ;) ;)
Seriously though, I don't personally do it but I've seen the neighbours cutting lawns in flip-flops and strimming without any eye protection.

Hmmm.. from my dodgy past I remember using 2-prong plugs in a standard 3 prong plug.

A safe(r) way to get the two-prong in is to use an extention cord, put a second three prong plug in upside down (ie: with the earth plug in upside down and the other prongs overlapping edge of extention box . This should leave the two socket holes open for your two-prong plug.

Failing that, I DON'T recomend a teaspoon handle, knitting needle, matchstick...lollipop stick....metal skewer... screwdriver ;D

Thanks for all the advice, everybody. I'll get one o' they device thangs tomorrow, stick a 3-pin plug on, and get strimming.  :)

Helen, I am sure I have a spare plug in rcd in the garage somewhere ::)
You should have no problem getting one in any diy store but if you can't let me know and I will post my spare one to you ;)
As for the suggestions of sticking things in plug holes
BEHAVE YOU LOT its not big or clever ;D