Brilliant, thanks for helping a dizzy 60+ numpty ! Never changed a French plug in all the 10 years she's been in France but when you want to brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush and there's noone around to help, then good old TH-cam techdiy comes to the rescue !
Thank you very much. In particular thank you for reminding me to thread the plug housing on the wire before I started. I always forget that and have to start again! Thank you also for showing me that the cable brake hinges. I've rewired many a plug from the UK format to the Belgian format and I'd never figured out that the cable brake assembly actually hinges.
My brother says you missed some things. Firstly, you need to have the GND cable longer than the others, so if the others disconnect it will also be still grounded. Secondly he recommends to use ferrules on the calbe ends. You might lose contact if not done so.
If you look carefully inside the French plug, though each wire is cut to the same length, the Neutral and Live terminals are positioned equally farther than the ground terminal from the cable clamp which means that if the cable clamp fails and the cable is pulled out the ground wire is the last to get disconnected.
If you don't have ferrules, I recommend to use solder on cable ends to make it one solid piece of cable, these connectors where screw just press cable are not great anyway, it works, but it's not ideal, better is that type where screw pushes piece of metal, not just directly screw to the wire. And a lot of plugs or products are assembled or designed stupid so you can actually rip cable off, that should not be possible, but every chinese crap has CE logo these days.
When you wired the plug you the neutral was on right not left.it is in reverse from when you first started. Yet you did say it didn't matter. Thanks I needed the information. All best..m
We do it exactly vice versa in Czechia, we have phase in left hole for some reason, probably some relict of the past, but everyone is used to it. One would expect the same wiring when it's the same socket, but nope, everything is different in other countries even when it looks the same.
I will be moving from the USA to France. Is it possible to rewire small appliances, lamps, toasters, mixers, etc., shop tools, along these measures or do I scrap all my US small appliances, tools, etc., and buy all new when I get to France. If so, what do you recommend as good tool brands in France?
The main difference is the voltage. A lot of stuff works on dual voltage so that's fine. I guess you have to compare shipping cost versus selling / buying new The tools are pretty much the same, same brands, slightly different model numbers. The DIY and tool shops are pretty good in France. Probably a little bit more expensive than the US but you can also buy from anywhere in Europe without paying extra import duty/tax.
Unless the device supports 220-240V 50/60HZ you can't use them they will burn if you plug them in. Older devices that support it will have a switch to switch modes. Newer ones will say 110-220/230/240V. Good European brands of power tools are Bosch, Skil, but you can find all sorts of brands like DeWalt, Black & Decker and other American ones if you want to support the homeland, as well as Makita etc. from the other side. You can also use step-down voltage transformers from 240V to 120V or 110V with your tools. The frequency in Europe is 50Hz usually, but few motors are frequency-dependent anyway.
davidpar2 Exactly, like in Czech Republic, Polish sockets have L conductor in left hole and N conductor in right hole. For memorising this we have in Czech saying “Vlevo je fáze, vpravo je nulák, kdo to nezná je hlupák (Live is on left, neutral is on right, who does not know that, is dunce)”
@@DB-47 The French socket and the schuko socket have a neutral contact on the left and a live contact on the right. This is typical CEE standard socket wiring for domestic use. In Central Europe, there are no regulations or standards that define the polarity of the sockets, so it is random. Correct polarity ensures safety as a single pole switch disconnects live, and using a plug adapter will ensure correct polarity for other types of plugs. This diagram shows the correct wiring for all socket types: upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Types_AC_power_sockets%2C_standard_polarity%2C_wiring%2C_voltage%2C_current.jpg
@@DB-47 In Poland, the live contact on the left side was recommended in the years 1973 to 2002. Now live on the right is allowed, and more and more electricians are choosing live on the right because most power cords with CEE 7/7 plug are polarized in French standard upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/European_cee7-7_plug_cee7-5_socket_type_E.jpg upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/European_cee7-3_socket_cee7-4_plug_cee7-7_plug_type_F.jpg
Thank you for your help totally appreciated, not very many people reply. I believe it’s low power at 16amps. I’m having trouble understanding the connections. The USA has 2 (110v) live wires and a ground for a 220v run and we usually use 10gauge or less. If I chopped off the plug would I have 2 (110s) and 1 ground (earth)? I would hate to damage the unit.
In Europe we generally have 240V single phase (Live, Neutral, Earth). In the USA you have two different phases at 110v (220v) and earth. In general you can connect the European Live (Brown wire) and Neutral (Blue wire) to the US 220v connections, and earth ( Yellow/Green wire) to the earth connection. Other wire colours are possible and you really should consult an electrician.
I do it the same, but mainly I am trying to avoid these stupid connectors where screw goes directly to the wire, better is that type where screw pushes piece of metal, but before you buy it, you never know what is inside.
There is no difference, in the current, since EU is also 230V at 50Hz as in the UK, and EU/UK appliances are rated similarly. You can just replace the plug in a UK appliance to use in Europe, and vice versa, with the same cable. The color codes in the EU are blue for neutral, grey, black or brown for the phase, and green/yellow for the ground. It's the same in the UK with the modern system. Also EU plugs can go in either way with modern sockets, so whether you wire neutral left or right doesn't really matter.
I don't think the type of plug shown in this video will work in Germany, as it doesn't have the side earth contact. German plugs with the additional earth hole work in France.
@@starforce224 all plugs that you'll find attached to appliances (perhaps unless they're very old) work with both sockets, but ones that you can rewire, like this one, don't always work on both socket types (though you can get ones that do)
What I do is strip a bit more, fold the copper wire. inert the wire with the insulation such that the screw would press down on the insulation. This prevents the screw cutting into the copper strands. It may not be of much use if the screws have perfectly rounded ends but helps insituation of even slightly sharp ends.
You should never do this. Always screw into the copper. Twisting the wire more tightly reduces the risk of damage to the copper upon tightening the terminal screw.
@@cjmillsnun Agree, when you would do it like that, there is not guaranteed perfect connection. When you are drawing a lot of current, there might be resistance between plug and wire and this will end to overheating plug and potential fire.
Even though I think all moulded plugs are now CEE 7/7, rewireable ones aren't always (though I'd get one that was because I want to be able to plug it in in the many more countries that use type F sockets)
Cable is fine, it's copper and if you will actually transfer 16A thru it, connections will be the first thing to fail, not cable itself. But yeah, for transporting 16A permanently, I would use probably thicker cable. If it's less than 2000W, it should be fine. You rarelly see thicker cables in European appliances and it's all rated up to 16A.
Exactly what I was looking for and I have the same french plugs - such a relief to find your video. Thank you!
Brilliant, thanks for helping a dizzy 60+ numpty ! Never changed a French plug in all the 10 years she's been in France but when you want to brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush and there's noone around to help, then good old TH-cam techdiy comes to the rescue !
I am so glad it helped you!
Thank you very much. In particular thank you for reminding me to thread the plug housing on the wire before I started. I always forget that and have to start again! Thank you also for showing me that the cable brake hinges. I've rewired many a plug from the UK format to the Belgian format and I'd never figured out that the cable brake assembly actually hinges.
And I thought I was going to need an electrician to change all 30 plugs in my house! You've just saved me a fortune! Thank you.
Excellent.
Sue Slater brilliant thanks x
It's great that you embrace the correct phasing.
Thank you! That what I was looking for!
Thank mate. It's so simply but very helpful.
Excellent- straight to the point- 🎉
My brother says you missed some things. Firstly, you need to have the GND cable longer than the others, so if the others disconnect it will also be still grounded. Secondly he recommends to use ferrules on the calbe ends. You might lose contact if not done so.
If you look carefully inside the French plug, though each wire is cut to the same length, the Neutral and Live terminals are positioned equally farther than the ground terminal from the cable clamp which means that if the cable clamp fails and the cable is pulled out the ground wire is the last to get disconnected.
If you don't have ferrules, I recommend to use solder on cable ends to make it one solid piece of cable, these connectors where screw just press cable are not great anyway, it works, but it's not ideal, better is that type where screw pushes piece of metal, not just directly screw to the wire. And a lot of plugs or products are assembled or designed stupid so you can actually rip cable off, that should not be possible, but every chinese crap has CE logo these days.
When you wired the plug you the neutral was on right not left.it is in reverse from when you first started. Yet you did say it didn't matter. Thanks I needed the information. All best..m
I just watched it and it all looked correct and consistent to me.
Awesome video, simple and very helpful!!
We do it exactly vice versa in Czechia, we have phase in left hole for some reason, probably some relict of the past, but everyone is used to it. One would expect the same wiring when it's the same socket, but nope, everything is different in other countries even when it looks the same.
Very clear and useful, thanks.
Cheers. Just changed the plug on our fridge.
Thanks for the video great to be able to check I'm doing it right!
I will be moving from the USA to France. Is it possible to rewire small appliances, lamps, toasters, mixers, etc., shop tools, along these measures or do I scrap all my US small appliances, tools, etc., and buy all new when I get to France. If so, what do you recommend as good tool brands in France?
The main difference is the voltage. A lot of stuff works on dual voltage so that's fine. I guess you have to compare shipping cost versus selling / buying new The tools are pretty much the same, same brands, slightly different model numbers. The DIY and tool shops are pretty good in France. Probably a little bit more expensive than the US but you can also buy from anywhere in Europe without paying extra import duty/tax.
Unless the device supports 220-240V 50/60HZ you can't use them they will burn if you plug them in. Older devices that support it will have a switch to switch modes. Newer ones will say 110-220/230/240V. Good European brands of power tools are Bosch, Skil, but you can find all sorts of brands like DeWalt, Black & Decker and other American ones if you want to support the homeland, as well as Makita etc. from the other side. You can also use step-down voltage transformers from 240V to 120V or 110V with your tools. The frequency in Europe is 50Hz usually, but few motors are frequency-dependent anyway.
Poland uses a similar standard, although their duplex outlets are stacked differently, I believe
davidpar2 Exactly, like in Czech Republic, Polish sockets have L conductor in left hole and N conductor in right hole. For memorising this we have in Czech saying “Vlevo je fáze, vpravo je nulák, kdo to nezná je hlupák (Live is on left, neutral is on right, who does not know that, is dunce)”
@@DB-47Nás to na škole učili trošku jinak ;D
"Vlevo fáfe, v pravo nulák, kdo to neví, ten je č*rák"
Here in Czech Republic we have same standard, but phase is on left and neutral on right.
@@DB-47 The French socket and the schuko socket have a neutral contact on the left and a live contact on the right. This is typical CEE standard socket wiring for domestic use. In Central Europe, there are no regulations or standards that define the polarity of the sockets, so it is random. Correct polarity ensures safety as a single pole switch disconnects live, and using a plug adapter will ensure correct polarity for other types of plugs. This diagram shows the correct wiring for all socket types: upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Types_AC_power_sockets%2C_standard_polarity%2C_wiring%2C_voltage%2C_current.jpg
@@DB-47 In Poland, the live contact on the left side was recommended in the years 1973 to 2002. Now live on the right is allowed, and more and more electricians are choosing live on the right because most power cords with CEE 7/7 plug are polarized in French standard
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/European_cee7-7_plug_cee7-5_socket_type_E.jpg
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/European_cee7-3_socket_cee7-4_plug_cee7-7_plug_type_F.jpg
I would greatly advise to use ferrules with stranded cable on screw terminals!
I was about to say the same thing, I strongly concur :)
I need to change the plug on a power cable for a Stihl strummer (a pin broke). What plug should I use please?
Well done!
How would I connect a 250v 16amp connector to a USA outlet. I bought a chocolate machine and they didn’t say it was designed for France electrical.
If it is low power equipment then you could use an adapter or chop the plug off and wire it in the normal way. just check European wire colors.
Thank you for your help totally appreciated, not very many people reply. I believe it’s low power at 16amps. I’m having trouble understanding the connections. The USA has 2 (110v) live wires and a ground for a 220v run and we usually use 10gauge or less. If I chopped off the plug would I have 2 (110s) and 1 ground (earth)? I would hate to damage the unit.
In Europe we generally have 240V single phase (Live, Neutral, Earth). In the USA you have two different phases at 110v (220v) and earth.
In general you can connect the European Live (Brown wire) and Neutral (Blue wire) to the US 220v connections, and earth ( Yellow/Green wire) to the earth connection.
Other wire colours are possible and you really should consult an electrician.
My electrician looked at me with a blank look on his face when I asked him. He’s not familiar with European electrical. You helped a lot, thank you!
In the absence of ferrules I like to double back on the wire and then add enough solder to allow the cable to enter the hole.
I do it the same, but mainly I am trying to avoid these stupid connectors where screw goes directly to the wire, better is that type where screw pushes piece of metal, but before you buy it, you never know what is inside.
Right on man , thanks
Are you using eu or uk wire?
There is no difference, in the current, since EU is also 230V at 50Hz as in the UK, and EU/UK appliances are rated similarly. You can just replace the plug in a UK appliance to use in Europe, and vice versa, with the same cable. The color codes in the EU are blue for neutral, grey, black or brown for the phase, and green/yellow for the ground. It's the same in the UK with the modern system. Also EU plugs can go in either way with modern sockets, so whether you wire neutral left or right doesn't really matter.
pretty much like a normal 3 wire plus in the US except the pin configuration is different. works the same....
Does French plug fits on German outlet?
I don't think the type of plug shown in this video will work in Germany, as it doesn't have the side earth contact.
German plugs with the additional earth hole work in France.
@@techydiy Sorry for my English but, i think the EU plugs work all together, i never had any problems with any "French" or "German" plugs
@@starforce224 all plugs that you'll find attached to appliances (perhaps unless they're very old) work with both sockets, but ones that you can rewire, like this one, don't always work on both socket types (though you can get ones that do)
@@techydiyNew Caledonia (French overseas territory at the Pacific) uses German outlets instead of French outlets.
Most of them are universal, but there can be problem with some old products.
Perfect - thanks!
What I do is strip a bit more, fold the copper wire. inert the wire with the insulation such that the screw would press down on the insulation. This prevents the screw cutting into the copper strands. It may not be of much use if the screws have perfectly rounded ends but helps insituation of even slightly sharp ends.
You should never do this. Always screw into the copper. Twisting the wire more tightly reduces the risk of damage to the copper upon tightening the terminal screw.
@@cjmillsnun Agree, when you would do it like that, there is not guaranteed perfect connection. When you are drawing a lot of current, there might be resistance between plug and wire and this will end to overheating plug and potential fire.
E plug???
Why not E/F plug (CEE 7/7)?
Even though I think all moulded plugs are now CEE 7/7, rewireable ones aren't always (though I'd get one that was because I want to be able to plug it in in the many more countries that use type F sockets)
I need tree pin plug in India
You have electrical trees in India?
That cable is too thin.
Cable is fine, it's copper and if you will actually transfer 16A thru it, connections will be the first thing to fail, not cable itself. But yeah, for transporting 16A permanently, I would use probably thicker cable. If it's less than 2000W, it should be fine. You rarelly see thicker cables in European appliances and it's all rated up to 16A.