Hedge Trimmer

[greenrook]

Hello everyone, I have been given an almost-new hedge clipper with a short lead terminating in a 2-pin European type plug. Can I just extend the lead and fit a conventional 3-pin plug, and ignore the Earth connection? The clipper hasn't got an earth now obviously, or is it earthed internally in some fashion? Sorry to be thick, electrics are not my forte.

[Hymie]

You might have to buy something like this and throw ½ of it away.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/masterplug-orange-connector-2-pin/46232

You will then need a suitable length of twin core mains cable (ideally with an orange sheath so that it is easily seen). Wire it to a plug ignoring any earth connection.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/round-flexible-cable-3182y-2-core-1mm-x-10m-orange/93505

[Buenchico]

The hedge clipper will almost certainly be double-insulated. To check, look for a symbol that has one square inside another. If so, no earth is required. It's in the GCSE Science syllabus these days ;-)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel_pre_2011/electricityworld/mainselectricityrev4.shtml

[greenrook]

Many thanks Hymie and Buenchico, I now see how to proceed. What would I do without you knowledgeable blokes? BTW, GCSE stuff came rather after my time, I left school aged 15 in 1950, we were still getting to grips with times tables in my day! Thank you again -G-

[ToraToraTora]

you can just fit a 3 pin plug and ignore the earth wire.