Lathe shocks

I did wonder if there was an earth pin you could screw into the very obvious hole in the plug. Is it possible this is still with the packaging?

Neil

Hi Nitai,

The plug you are showing is a Schuko european variety and the earth connection is provided via the external metal springs and it can be inserted into the correct socket in either vertical position.

However, your socket is not the correct one for this type of plug and I would certainly not recommend that you use any type of intermediate adaptor.

You should either change the socket into the correct Schuko pattern, ensuring that you connect all three wires at the back before use, or cut the plug off from the cable and install a locally correct type which will marry your socket and provide an earth.

Were I am working at the moment we have a similar situation but with slightly different sockets and my solution is always to change the plug to suit the socket.

Mike

No. The hole is to take the male earth pin on eg., French power outlets. That plug combines the two earthing methods of the E and F versions of the CEE plug.

Russell.

Blue wire - neutral

Brown wire - live

Green/yellow wire - earth

Wire the plug as shown except that they have shown live as red but you will have brown.

If you have a meter check that you have continuity between that central pin and the metalwork of the lathe after wiring the plug.

Russell.

Edited By Russell Eberhardt on 02/08/2015 17:24:54

Are type E and type H essentially the same except the earth pin is on the socket and plug respectively?

Instead of replacing the plug or using an adapter, for now I put a pin the same diameter and length to connect the earth hole in the plug with the hole in the socket (there wasn't one in the box but I made one). Is that not a good idea? If not, why?

You need as good continuity as you can get for earths. If you aren't sure, rig an earth spike into the ground and run a separate cable. You want as low ohms as you can get. There is no one standard, some say 60, some 25, I have 8 on a damp day.

Nitai

With your last question it's pretty obvious that you are not familiar with wiring plugs etc. Get someone who knows what they are doing to change the plug for you - it's about a 15 minute job start to finish. 240 volts has a nasty habit of KILLING YOU if you get it wrong. Stop messing about and get the job done properly!

I agree with Keith, Instead of just buying a new plug of the correct type, this has turned into a saga

Just get the correct plug, get it wired correctly, and then you will be able to enjoy your lathe safely [at least from the electrical side of things]

Thanks.

It turns out that my dad is very faimilar with these things because his father was an electrical engineer. I did get a new plug and my dad can do this, but he actually suggested just putting a pin there.

Both methods simply connect the earth wire to the earth hole in the wall, unless something inside the European plug causes it to be different?

Nitai

Your last sentence is the crux of the matter - the plug is moulded on and no-one apart from the Chinese company that moulded it knows what is inside. The other side of the argument is that if you modify an electrical connection - not to be confused with changing the plug and fitting a proper new plug - then if anything goes wrong and you or the equipment gets damaged then you're on your own - the supplier has a perfect get-out clause for any liability.

Play safe make, use of your dad and get him to show you how to change the plugs - a very useful skill in life - believe me!

Hello Nitai,

Look ***HERE***, please. Maybe a traveler adaptor like this prevents scrificing the plug...

Dias Costa

Is there a bulging cap in the picture on page 1 ?. If so, I recommend you get it looked at as well.

Neil

No. Not that type. The one he would need has a depression in it so that the earth contact on the plug can make contact. I have one for a UK 3 pin socket. It was provided with a microscope that came with a european plug. His lathe supplier aught to stock them if they are going to sell them with that sort of plug on them. He would probably find they are breaking some regulations by not taking care of the problem.

John

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Edited By John W1 on 02/08/2015 20:06:30

What is a bulging cap? Which of the two photos are you refrring to? Sorry it's not my first language so not sure.

You are probably right... and yes, that adapter doesn't connect the earth.

OK, my dad came over and looked at it. He suggested to use a pin instead of changing the plug itself. Since this type of European plug works the way it should with the (mostly) French socket with one earth pin getting into the plug earth hole, it should be exactly the same. This uses the better and more reliable molded plug as opposed to a new plug (eventhough this plug won't be moving).

So I did what he suggested. The lathe works fine and so far no shocks but will continue to notice.
He also showed me how to change the plug, which is the same as what I've done many times except the colours and locations are slightly different on a mains plug with earth.

Thanks again

Good to know you are still alive, but you still have the earth leakage fault that needs to be addressed.

Check that the earth loop is ok and your machine has a proper earth, do not rely on bodges where your life could be at risk.

A competant electrician will have the instruments to check this for you.

Can I add my experience of those European plugs. I bought a small inverter welder a couple of years ago and started getting shocks off the case. The euro plug was fitted into one of those enclosing adapters to convert it to a UK 3 pin plug, the problem was the groove that had the earth strip in the bottom of a deep groove had some plastic flashing left in it that prevented the spring earth contact from touching it. I would say the design of these adapters is a bit 'iffy' to say the least. It would be wise to check the earthing of any device that uses this arrangement. If in any doubt change the plug and make sure you have a proper earth connection. Luckily I was only getting around 90-120V from the suppression capacitors but an earth fault on the device could have been lethal.

Stay safe - Chris.

I have the same experience the other way round. Living in France I have tried adaptors for 13 A UK plugs and many of them have no proper earth connection to the French outlet. I now only use adaptors where I can't avoid it, such as plug mounted power supplies.

As for using the loose pin Nitai, I wouldn't advise it.  You have two points of connection in place of one and thus a greater chance of a failure.  Additionally someone might unplug the lathe and plug it back in and not notice that the earth pin has dropped out.  Do it properly and change the plug!

Russell.

Edited By Russell Eberhardt on 03/08/2015 09:11:22

In the 1st picture near the bottom rh side of the picture, there are shown 2 black cylinder cans. They look like capacitors, and the LH one closest to the heat sink or what ever it is,. The LH capacitor looks to having a bulging top compared to the RH one. They should be flat on their tops. Sometimes when they bulge on the top, they also leek fluid out that can effect other components on the circuit. It may not be the cause of your shocks, but if the capacitor is bulging it should be replaced.

Neil