Where to buy 240v combined UK/EU sockets

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jimp45

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I am installing a 240v system on my yacht so that we can use shore power whilst we are cruising in the Med. As we may buy goods with euro plugs out there, I am looking for sockets that will accept both UK and European plugs. I am looking for the type that is used on inverters advertised in the sailing press. I have tried Maplins and RS Components with no luck. Does any forumite know where I can source these?

Thanks in anticipation, Jim
 
vyv_cox said:
I have never seen exactly what you are looking for. Loads of adapters of various types here. That's what I use on the boat and in the camper van.
Click to expand...

I agree.. having dual fittings seems overkill.
Or just change the EU plug to a UK one.. you only need screwdriver and a pair of pliers!
 
One of the few things that the UK does better than the rest of the world these days is the fused 13 amp plug and socket. European unfused plug/sockets are inferior and require wiring to be differently arranged to obtain protection.

Therefore, I've fitted UK 13 amp sockets to the bateau, and will take a bunch of 13 amp plugs and fuses with me when I go awandering. Any European appliances will be circumcised and wired into a proper plug.
 
You could put in a mixture. I've German sockets but plan to convert a couple to UK sockets and continue using adaptors with the rest.

Beware that there is variation amongst the Europeans. A French plug will not fit into a German socket for example. (I've tried - the Earth is on the rim of the socket whereas the French use an earth pin sticking out of the socket itself - which however has the advantage of making sure you insert the plug the right way round, which always feels like it is upside down.) There are other countries (Italy?) where there is a third earth pin between between the other two on the plug.

Adaptors tend to gloss over the differences but I always have doubts about whether you end up properly earthed with the correct polarity.
 
Whatever connections you make, remember that the actual fitting on the boat that the shore-power cable goes to, is a shrouded plug, rather than a socket.

An essential piece of kit aboard is a simple test plug, to ensure correct polarity. Danger lurks here.
 
jimp45 said:
I am installing a 240v system on my yacht so that we can use shore power whilst we are cruising in the Med. As we may buy goods with euro plugs out there, I am looking for sockets that will accept both UK and European plugs. I am looking for the type that is used on inverters advertised in the sailing press. I have tried Maplins and RS Components with no luck. Does any forumite know where I can source these?

Thanks in anticipation, Jim
Click to expand...

European plug?

Do you mean Schuko, French, Dutch, Italian, Swiss, Scandinavian or Europlug?

Stick with the BS 1363. It's a far safer design.
 
less adaptors?

I did the opposite to most other posters. AWB is French so everything with a 13A plug square pins type was cut off and replaced with the proper French plug.Well made tight fitting in socket and no problems.Usually have little power say 10Amps in Marinas so would not be loading up 13A plugs much anyway. RCD device in boat, Breaker on panel, and also RCD on Marina or yard post.We are again based in France, so when we buy a new gadget, it has the right plug! Always use a tester device with 3 indicators to determine if supply is correctly phased.

Good sailing and boating to all!
 
paulclan said:
I did the opposite to most other posters. AWB is French so everything with a 13A plug square pins type was cut off and replaced with the proper French plug.Well made tight fitting in socket and no problems.Usually have little power say 10Amps in Marinas so would not be loading up 13A plugs much anyway. RCD device in boat, Breaker on panel, and also RCD on Marina or yard post.We are again based in France, so when we buy a new gadget, it has the right plug! Always use a tester device with 3 indicators to determine if supply is correctly phased.

Good sailing and boating to all!
Click to expand...

I would fit Schuko types and use convertors for UK fittings, the reason is that european to UK convertors are fiddly that sit projecting out from the UK faceplate and always seem to get knocked out or fall off under the weight of the lead. Whereas the othe rway around, The adaptor fits into the recess in the european socket and is nice and secure.

Dont mind the nonsense about fused un fused etc, Uk system were all designed before RCD's, now that they are there they are teh best protection.
 
That socket won't deal with a French earthed appliance, which needs a male earth pin in the socket, as the female is in the plug.

French_Socket_Outlet.jpg


Bloody silly if you ask me, but that's the French for you.
 
French sockets

Hi Twister Ken,

I'm confused!! That's a socket with a male pin! a french socket has a female recess to take this pin.Please where is the problem?
Thanks

Good sailing and boating to all.
 
French socket again

Sorry Ken,
I viewed the ebay item and I now understand that what is illustrated is the proper socket!
 
NormanS said:
An essential piece of kit aboard is a simple test plug, to ensure correct polarity. Danger lurks here.
Click to expand...

But is it and does it?
As far as I understand (always willing to be corrected) any danger lies in the fact that the boat's UK spec. main switch or circuit-breaker will probably only switch off one line/phase/pole and thus for proper protection it needs to be the positive line/phase. European (French) main switches disconnect both live and neutral, so it doesn't matter about the polarity that's connected. Appliances don't discriminate or get damaged by the 'wrong' polarity, which constantly cycles anyway.

Is this basically correct?
 
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