We are bringing quite a lot of electrical items over from the Uk, can anyone advise me if by using an adapter will cost more than having the plugs changed, the items are things like slow cooker, steam iron, hoover etc. as I am aware electricity is quite expensive in Spain so I would appreciate any feedback as to what is best.
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Electricity consumption - and hence cost - is neither determined nor affected by the type of plug on the end of the wire, what a bizarre idea!
Not changing them and using adapters will definitely cost more though when the house burns down and your insurer refuses to pay due to negligence.
They not called 'travel adapters' without good reason.
Change the plugs and if you can't do it yourself then pay someone to do it for you.
My daughter could do it when she was 12!
Shelagh1 wrote on Tue Oct 1, 2019 6:14pm:
We are bringing quite a lot of electrical items over from the Uk, can anyone advise me if by using an adapter will cost more than having the plugs changed, the items are things like slow cooker, steam iron, hoover etc. as I am aware electricity is quite expensive in Spain so I would appreci...
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...ate any feedback as to what is best.
Quick answer to above "Bizarre idea" (& bear in mind I´m idle) After almost two decades here. I bought (years ago) from a present UK plug, slow.cooker. I still have´nt changed it, cooked rabbit stew & braised steak.It´s earthed. still connected to an adapter , hasn´t burnt a morsel, or house. Change the plugs as you go along, as as you change (and will) they will come along with EU plugs. Don´t panic, or a 12 year old. Your slow-cooker will work & enjoy. I had to change the lid though!
V
Posted: Tue Oct 1, 2019 8:13pm
Helpful member
I brought over nearly all electrical appliances and only started changing them over after 3 years. The only problem I had was running out of travel adapters hence the reason for changing them. Only electrical issue I had was with English kettle-kept cutting out on the electric level so got Spanish one and all sorted. It is easy to change them over but think some responses here have been super sarcastic and unnecessary
Good luck with the move over
Deirdre
Thanks for your help
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It’s not a bizarre idea, I don’t know anything about how electricity that’s why I asked the question.
Thanks V
Thanks Deirdre
Thanks John, there’s always one
Posted: Tue Oct 1, 2019 9:04pm
Very helpful member
If I can add some further sense to the conversation.
Firstly, the plug is called a Schuko plug and one example of a youtube video detailing how to wire it can be seen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6KYlJw17Wc
Now...
Keeping your UK plug tops on your electrical items is far from being a stupid idea, in fact, the UK plugs include a fuse whereas Spanish plugs do not! So actually, if you want to be MORE careful then keep the English plug tops!
As a time served and qualified electrician (please don't be confused by my forum nickname!) and far from being lazy, I brought some 4 and 6way extension leads with me from the UK and then simply changed the plug that is on the extension lead from the UK version to the Schuko plug.
This is very convenient for areas such as kitchens and for TV equipment
. Further to this, I would recommend you buy an anti-surge version for the extension lead that supplies your TV and associated equipment as we very regularly experience power outages and surges.
Where I do agree with Movingon is that I do not recommend you use a travel adaptor to plug in an extension lead. It is not deemed dangerous but it is not a good idea to leave it that way indefinitely either. I am not aware of any stats for fire incidents where a travel adaptor has been deemed the root cause of the fire.
Lets be clear, no scaremongering, the travel adaptors (provided they have the Safety kite mark) are deemed safe, whether that is for occasional travel use or for a longer period of time. However, it is good practice to swap over the plug which the extension lead plugs into the wall with.
If you need any more guidance or advice then please ask.
Hope it helps
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