Figure 8 Mains Leads - Conversion to French Plugs - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

SeanStevens · 13th Dec 2010, 4:10 pm

I am giving (as Christmas presents) two radios to my French Brothers-in-Law.

I need to change the mains cables, as the English plugs won't fit in France.

Is there a place in France to get them? I need normal 'cassette' or similar sockets with the French mains plug on the end. I could easily cut off the UK plug and convert them, but ideally the 'bought' leads and plugs may have fuses within.

Any suggestions?

SEAN

cmjones01 · 13th Dec 2010, 4:39 pm

Continental-style 2-pin mains leads are available in this country. I have a note here that they're stock code PL09593 in the CPC catalogue, though that may be out of date.

They don't have fuses in: this style of plug just doesn't have them (although I'm sure someone can quote an exception). If your appliance needs a fuse, put it in the appliance.

Paul Stenning · 13th Dec 2010, 4:53 pm

RS stock them http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/s...duct&R=0321203

I also found this with Google http://www.digitalpromo.co.uk/europe...le-p-5362.html

The cassette type connectors are type "C7" and if you search for "euro c7 cable" on eBay or Google Shopping there are several suitable listings.

paulsherwin · 13th Dec 2010, 5:09 pm

It may be cheaper for them to buy and fit the plugs in France though.

There is no advantage to buying a French lead rather than fitting a French plug to the UK one other than convenience.

France doesn't use fused plugs. The cable protection fuse is in the distribution board (actually normally a circuit breaker these days.)

BGmidsUK · 13th Dec 2010, 7:50 pm

I have plenty of these, you're welcome to a few FOC. If you PM me your address I'll pop them in the post

- they're only about 4½ft long though. Standard figure 8 with 2-pin Europlug.

Brian

Tractorfan · 13th Dec 2010, 8:50 pm

Hi,
They're readily available here in most large supermarkets, bricolages (DIY stores) and electrical shops. I think they're about three or four euros. A French two pin rewireable plug is about 2€50c. I found quite a few of mine on scrap cassette/CD/radios dumped in the communal bins at the edge of our village

.
Cheers, Pete

SeanStevens · 14th Dec 2010, 10:55 am

As usual, you guys and gals either know the answer to the questions or have the parts I need.

Many thanks again for all your help.

SEAN

SeanStevens · 2nd Feb 2011, 10:52 am

Brian (Gawd Bless him) supplied me with some leads. Radios met with much enthusiasm.

Please close the thread

13th Dec 2010, 4:10 pm	#1
SeanStevens Octode Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bath, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,033	Figure 8 Mains Leads - Conversion to French Plugs I am giving (as Christmas presents) two radios to my French Brothers-in-Law. I need to change the mains cables, as the English plugs won't fit in France. Is there a place in France to get them? I need normal 'cassette' or similar sockets with the French mains plug on the end. I could easily cut off the UK plug and convert them, but ideally the 'bought' leads and plugs may have fuses within. Any suggestions? SEAN __________________ There are only 10 types of people, those who understand the binary system, and those who don't.

13th Dec 2010, 4:39 pm	#2
cmjones01 Nonode Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Warsaw, Poland and Cambridge, UK Posts: 2,677	Re: Figure 8 Mains Leads - Conversion to French Plugs Continental-style 2-pin mains leads are available in this country. I have a note here that they're stock code PL09593 in the CPC catalogue, though that may be out of date. They don't have fuses in: this style of plug just doesn't have them (although I'm sure someone can quote an exception). If your appliance needs a fuse, put it in the appliance.

13th Dec 2010, 4:53 pm	#3
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cardiff Posts: 9,071	Re: Figure 8 Mains Leads - Conversion to French Plugs RS stock them http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/s...duct&R=0321203 I also found this with Google http://www.digitalpromo.co.uk/europe...le-p-5362.html The cassette type connectors are type "C7" and if you search for "euro c7 cable" on eBay or Google Shopping there are several suitable listings. __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster

13th Dec 2010, 5:09 pm	#4
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,939	Re: Figure 8 Mains Leads - Conversion to French Plugs It may be cheaper for them to buy and fit the plugs in France though. There is no advantage to buying a French lead rather than fitting a French plug to the UK one other than convenience. France doesn't use fused plugs. The cable protection fuse is in the distribution board (actually normally a circuit breaker these days.)

13th Dec 2010, 7:50 pm	#5
BGmidsUK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Leicester, UK. Posts: 809	Re: Figure 8 Mains Leads - Conversion to French Plugs I have plenty of these, you're welcome to a few FOC. If you PM me your address I'll pop them in the post - they're only about 4½ft long though. Standard figure 8 with 2-pin Europlug. Brian

13th Dec 2010, 8:50 pm	#6
Tractorfan Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Frajou, l'Isle en Dodon, Haute Garonne, France.(Previously: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, UK.) Posts: 3,183	Re: Figure 8 Mains Leads - Conversion to French Plugs Hi, They're readily available here in most large supermarkets, bricolages (DIY stores) and electrical shops. I think they're about three or four euros. A French two pin rewireable plug is about 2€50c. I found quite a few of mine on scrap cassette/CD/radios dumped in the communal bins at the edge of our village . Cheers, Pete __________________ "Hello?, Yes, I'm on the train, I might lose the signal soon as we're just going into a tunn..."

14th Dec 2010, 10:55 am	#7
SeanStevens Octode Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bath, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,033	Re: Figure 8 Mains Leads - Conversion to French Plugs As usual, you guys and gals either know the answer to the questions or have the parts I need. Many thanks again for all your help. SEAN __________________ There are only 10 types of people, those who understand the binary system, and those who don't. Last edited by Mike Phelan; 14th Dec 2010 at 12:55 pm. Reason: De galled.

2nd Feb 2011, 10:52 am	#8
SeanStevens Octode Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bath, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,033	Re: Figure 8 Mains Leads - Conversion to French Plugs Brian (Gawd Bless him) supplied me with some leads. Radios met with much enthusiasm. Please close the thread __________________ There are only 10 types of people, those who understand the binary system, and those who don't.