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Thread: Changing 2pin plugs to 3pin

  1. #1
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    Changing 2pin plugs to 3pin

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    Hi guys, some of our equipment eg Eheim canisters, surface skimmers etc come with 2 pin plugs.

    Coupled with my timer, the socket is fairly loose, slight touch and the connection is cut hence I intend to rewire them to a 3 pin UK style plug.

    So far tested on an old HOB filter, connected live and neutral and left ground pin alone and filter is working fine.

    However, the small 2 pin plug is rated at 2.5A, while our UK plug is 13A with a fuse. Will this swap cause problems?




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    Re: Changing 2pin plugs to 3pin

    dun think so.
    Had been changing some of the PRC items (lights, chiller) to 3 pin.

    The ehiem wire inside 2 or 3?

    local stuff like ehiem/solenoid I didn't touch as they comes with warranty besides that the extension plug there not enough space with 2 timers and 2 3 pin plugs

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    Re: Changing 2pin plugs to 3pin

    I haven't checked the Eheim. So far only cut up a Dophin HOB which was 2 wire. Intend to do it to my Oceanfree skimmer, maybe the Chihiros light and the other PRC stuff since they dont have local warranty. The Chihiros stuff comes with a type O plug though, so have to check if its pretty much the same as our regular 3 pin plug.


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    Re: Changing 2pin plugs to 3pin

    Not sure if this is a consideration... why not just use basic travel plugs?

    Like these:



    Photo from Google Images.

    They are available at most local hardware/electronics shops... i bought a bunch of of them at less than $1 each from Sim Lim Sq shops. I connect all my overseas plug and 2 pin plug equipment to those basic travel adapters to establish a more secure fit in our local 3 pin sockets, save the need to re-wire.
    :: Urban Aquaria ::
    www.urbanaquaria.com

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    Re: Changing 2pin plugs to 3pin

    Quote Originally Posted by Urban Aquaria View Post
    Not sure if this is a consideration... why not just use basic travel plugs?

    Like these:



    Photo from Google Images.

    They are available at most local hardware/electronics shops... i bought a bunch of of them at less than $1 each from Sim Lim Sq shops. I connect all my overseas plug and 2 pin plug equipment to those basic travel adapters to establish a more secure fit in our local 3 pin sockets, save the need to re-wire.
    I'm actually already using it, but the fit is still not extremely tight in my opinion. Been more than one time i was doing some work in the cabinet and accidentally dislodged one of those cables and forgot to check. Besides, the travel adaptors in all honestly look like cheapo plastic put together without any checks... I guess im a little paranoid but i would like to go without them, hence the thought to rewire them.


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    Re: Changing 2pin plugs to 3pin

    Quote Originally Posted by mercur1al View Post
    I'm actually already using it, but the fit is still not extremely tight in my opinion. Been more than one time i was doing some work in the cabinet and accidentally dislodged one of those cables and forgot to check. Besides, the travel adaptors in all honestly look like cheapo plastic put together without any checks... I guess im a little paranoid but i would like to go without them, hence the thought to rewire them.
    I see... yeah, i know what you mean, sometimes the plugs are just not secure enough, have to swap between different adapters to find the ones that fit well.

    For those loose 2-pin plugs, i usually just pinch the pins together abit to narrow them slightly, that usually creates a secure fit... sometimes too secure though, until i have to struggle to remove it.
    :: Urban Aquaria ::
    www.urbanaquaria.com

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    Re: Changing 2pin plugs to 3pin

    Quote Originally Posted by Urban Aquaria View Post
    I see... yeah, i know what you mean, sometimes the plugs are just not secure enough, have to swap between different adapters to find the ones that fit well.

    For those loose 2-pin plugs, i usually just pinch the pins together abit to narrow them slightly, that usually creates a secure fit... sometimes too secure though, until i have to struggle to remove it.
    Hahaha, I know what you mean! I tried pinching one of mine as well, got it real tight and snug.. Until I had to remove it one day. Almost broke it.

    For the other two pin plugs, seems pinching it doesn't do much. Still as loose!


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    Re: Changing 2pin plugs to 3pin

    For me is the profile I don't like abit jarring out.

    The 2 pin is kind off 3-4 cm in depth plus the adaptor another inch.
    And my cabinet the space abit constrain (you all will understand later when I post picture of my new tank . :P)

    Actually you can also use a small flat head screw driver and try to squeeze the internal that metal which is holding the plug.

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    Re: Changing 2pin plugs to 3pin

    For those 2 pins, when you cut it away, your wire colour will be black and white, black is live and white is neutral. Our 3 pin plug is rated at 13A means the maximum current the plug can take is 13A, so it is no issue.

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    Re: Changing 2pin plugs to 3pin

    Quote Originally Posted by seudzar View Post
    For those 2 pins, when you cut it away, your wire colour will be black and white, black is live and white is neutral. Our 3 pin plug is rated at 13A means the maximum current the plug can take is 13A, so it is no issue.
    Surprisingly the one I cut was labelled correctly, one blue and black. But for a 2pin plug, it actually doesn't matter which cable goes to which pin... Both cables are absolutely fine being neutral/live.

    That's great to hear bro, I was under the impression that for these equipment using 2.5A plugs fitted to a 13A plug, should there be any short circuit, as the fuse is rated at 13A, it might not break the circuit and instead cause a fire.


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    Re: Changing 2pin plugs to 3pin

    Any short circuit you house main breaker will trip first
    -Robert
    Aquascaping is a marriage between Art and Farming
    My Blog: http://aquatic-art.blogspot.com/

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    Re: Changing 2pin plugs to 3pin

    If there is a short circuit, the current will be like very very big

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    Re: Changing 2pin plugs to 3pin

    Quote Originally Posted by Shadow View Post
    Any short circuit you house main breaker will trip first
    Good to hear that Shadow! Thanks! will proceed to rewire them tomorrow

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    Re: Changing 2pin plugs to 3pin

    Quote Originally Posted by seudzar View Post
    If there is a short circuit, the current will be like very very big
    Bro, do you mean the current needed for a short circuit will be extremely big?

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    Changing 2pin plugs to 3pin

    Short circuit is like 230v/short circuit resistance where short circuit resistance is very very small. And if it happens, the breaker in your house will trip first and your fuse will definitely blow.

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    Re: Changing 2pin plugs to 3pin

    Quote Originally Posted by seudzar View Post
    Short circuit is like 230v/short circuit resistance where short circuit resistance is very very small. And if it happens, the breaker in your house will trip first and your fuse will definitely blow.
    I see. Thanks for letting me know this, can rewire in peace now!

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    Re: Changing 2pin plugs to 3pin

    Can replace the 3pin plug top 13Amp fuse to your desire Amp fuse rating.
    i replace all my wall fan 3 pin plug top 13Amp fuse to 2Amp fuse.


    CHeers..

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    Re: Changing 2pin plugs to 3pin

    Quote Originally Posted by mercur1al View Post
    I see. Thanks for letting me know this, can rewire in peace now!
    Be sure you buy the 13A plug that is approved by psb

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    Re: Changing 2pin plugs to 3pin

    Quote Originally Posted by seudzar View Post
    Be sure you buy the 13A plug that is approved by psb
    Yup they all have the approved sticker marking on them.

    That was also one of my reasons for changing the plugs, none of the travel adapters had an approved symbol.


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    Re: Changing 2pin plugs to 3pin

    Actually I will not advice the changing of plugs for filters. because after changing, it will not be waterproof. If expose to any water while doing maintenance when plug in back to 3 pin plug might cause a short circuit.
    not sure about the rest, normally when I maintain my canister, last step after putting everything back in the filter, I will clean the cable and wash the plug

    brown is normally live and blue is neutral.

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