Gill Stevens

We are moving to Spain soon. What is the position with our fridge, freezer, dvd recorders etc. As they are 3 pin and spanish sockets are 2 pin, this means there is no earth pin in Spain. Does this mean if we use the electrical appliances that they are not earthed and we are leaving ourselves open to an electric shock. I know there are travel adaptors but I don't think they are supposed to be used for items such as these Gilly

Beachcomber

Your white goods, ie fridge, freezer, kettle, washing machine, etc MUST be earthed otherwise you will get an electric shock from the metal casing if there is an earth leak. :scared:

In spain you will find that some sockets are earthed and others aren't. You will need to change the plugs on the appliances and ensure that they are plugged into earthed sockets.

Generally UK audio/video equipment is not earthed even though three pin plugs are fitted. If you follow the lead into the back of, for example, a satellite receiver you will find that the connection only has two pins and when you cut off the UK plug to fit a Spanish one you will only find a phase and a neutral (brown and blue).

If you are in any doubt when you arrive here get an electrician to change the plugs for you.

coralsoft

We bought loads (about 20) adaptors in the UK before we came out here and are still using them for loads of kit. All the houses I've been in are fitted with circuit breakers, so I've not found earthing to be an issue. Our kids have proved they work - 2 of them have stuck metal items like a 6-inch nail into sockets and lived, with nothing but a jolt to their hands.

Most electrical goods seem to be reasonably cheap out here, so replacing stuff can be better than paying it to ship from the UK, but, heh, if you've got a relocation allowance...

cheers,
coralsoft

movetogandia

In regard to all electrical goods made for the British market you should have no problems as far as voltage is concerned, if it is American it needs adapting and it is possibly better to replace.

In regard to power points, all points for main appliances should be fitted with round plugs, although they are two pin they have an earth terminal at the side. Minor or low wattage items are connected by flat 2 pin plugs and go into oblong two pin sockets. Most household multi socket fittings will accept the two pin plugs in the main round socket but will not be live.

Don't use adaptors, they are expensive, where ever possible replace with an appropriate Spanish plug.

bfg69bug

you mean that the item will work but will not be earthed it most definatly will be live.

oblong wall sockets only exist in old houses, with OLD wireing. they will work, and are perfectly safe for ANY 2 pin appliance (tv´s, radios, sky box, video, dvd lamps etc) they shouldn´t, but CAN be used for "3 pin" round plugs, but it is not recomended, as the appliance will not be earthed. (and sometimes the pins of the plug wont fit in the socket anyways, as "3pin" are thicker than "2pin")

all new houses are only fitted with round sockets, conforming to this years standards of instalation, which have two earth pins. You will NOT find a new install with "2pin" wall sockets.

james (part time electricians m8)

movetogandia

Sunday 13 feb, Our friend is quite right, I was talking of New property and the use of multi socket adaptors, these adaptors usually have one round socket (earthed) and two or more oblong sockets for connecting radios, mobile telephone rechargers etc. Sorry for the confusion.
Also with reference to Telephone equipment the adaptors or converters sold are about €12 each and bulky. When we had our telephone connected the telefonica engineer brought along the telephone answerohone unit, when told we didnt want it as we already had one he insisted we had to have his unit or No telephone line. we accepted his unit at €50. Dificult to argue if you dont speak the language.

Gill Stevens

Many thanks to movetogandia and bfg69bug for the information about sockets in Spain which we will be grateful for when we move.

Gill