tejon

Does anyone have a ready list of what AMP Spanish 2 pin plugs to buy to replace my English plugs on items like TV, Washong macine, hairdryer etc etc.

I have some 16Amp Spanish ones but dont want to use them if they are ot 100%

Many thanks

Hillybilly

The "standard" (Europlug) is 2.5A. This is for devices that require 2.5 A or less. You match your plug to your appliance by looking at the electrical rating plate that all electrical appliances have.
p.s. Heavy load appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, kettles, irons and hairdryers will need the 16A plugs that you have.

twyntub

Hillybilly is right that the flat (CEE/7) two pin type is really only good for 2.5A - or anything below 575 watts that does not require an earth connection (class II). Typically your video, TV, some laptops, etc.

Be careful! The pins on flat two-pin plugs are deliberately bend inwards - so that they can fit into the larger (16A) sockets which have slightly larger pins. As a result, some are incorrectly marked as "10A" - whilst they *would* theoretically work at 10A if they were plugged into the right socket, they won't in a standard 16A socket - hence the de-rating to 2.5A.

The larger round 2-pin plugs with side mounted earth clips are, obviously, the only thing suitable for class I appliances - anything that requires an Earth connection.

There is also an added complication - many Spanish homes are fitted with surface-mounted 2 pin and 3 pin sockets that allow you plug a 16A 'schuko' in but without the benefit of an Earth connection. The wrong plug in these can be dangerous... but getting hold of the 3 pin plugs seems to be hard these days.

Did you get all that?!

toyboy23

For fuses and trips an easy rule of thumb with amps (current ratings) is that a 3Kw (3000w) device like a fan heater, on 230v will take 12.9 amps. Thus if you have a 2Kw kettle it will take 2/3 of that, 8.6 amps. It saves calculating W = V*A every time, and the precision is not that important as it depends on what fuses/trips are available.

It’s not clear from the above, but I think I’m right in saying Spanish plugs do not contain a fuse? If so, then as long as you’re ‘over’ rated on the plug you’re fine, ie: if a plug is rated at 16 amps you can then use it for any domestic application. The circuit fuse would of course have to be right for the application.

The presence of the earth clip for appliances that require earthing is obviously not open to debate.

Could you clarify what you mean by that?

twyntub

2.5A europlugs are fitted with 4mm pins, rather than the 4.8mm pins of the 16A plugs. If they were to be fitted to a socket which had 4mm 'holes' - they could theoretically carry up to 10A if they have the right construction. Other countries (Russia?) use these pin sizes at that rating.

In the case of Spain (and most of Europe) - the sockets have 4.8mm holes, so in order to make the 4mm pins fit they bend inwards by 1mm at the tips, so only the inside surface of the pin makes contact inside the socket. This means less contact area = derated plug.

That doesn't stop many imported 2.5A plugs having 10A written on them... which is technically correct, but not. I think.

toyboy23

Aaahh! I see. Thanks for that.