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Hi folks. I've acquired a second hand Al-Ko garden shredder ... and the cable looks a bit worse for wear. Any idea what plug this is so i can get a new one? And are al-ko shredders any good? I don't want to chuck money at it if they're poor quality.

That is not a plug, it is a TRAILING SOCKET and it is the EU type, called Schuko.

Is the cable separate, with a British 3 pin plug at the other end?

Best buy an Alko original spare see https://www.alko-direct.co.uk/mains-power-cables

DWD

arco_iris wrote: ↑Sat Sep 18, 2021 9:55 am That is not a plug, it is a TRAILING SOCKET and it is the EU type, called Schuko.

Is the cable separate, with a British 3 pin plug at the other end?

OK, that "socket" connects to a plug on the side of the chipper, yes the cable is separate from the chipper, and has a 13a plug at the other end.,

dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Sat Sep 18, 2021 9:57 am Best buy an Alko original spare see <span class="skimlinks-unlinked">https://www.alko-direct.co.uk/mains-power-cables</span>

DWD

I think you're right .... a plug and a SOCKET and a length of cable won't come in much cheaper than an official one.

The Schuko socket it not permitted in the UK as we only have a fuse in the line, and the Schuko plug and socket can be reversed so line and neutral can be reversed. It is not permitted to sell items in the UK with the Schuko plug and socket. If there is no earth i.e. class II then it does not really matter, but where there is an earth then they should not be used.

In the Op's photo isn't the metal strip across the centre of the plug the earth?

DWD

dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Wed Sep 29, 2021 7:12 am In the Op's photo isn't the metal strip across the centre of the plug the earth?

DWD

Yes, the metal strip is earth, the problem with Schuko plug/socket is the lives can be reversed, line and neutral can be connected either way around, but many items only have fuses and switches on the line, the regulations say "553.1.2 Except for SELV or a special circuit from Regulation 553.1.5, every plug and socket-outlet shall be of the non-reversible type. with provision for the connection of a protective conductor." this means we can't use Schuko plugs and sockets.

Thanks Eric, I thought that the locating lugs in the plug prevented reversal but I am not that knowledgeable on electrics.

DWD

so am i ok to use this cable ... or is it dangerous????

Whilst Eric's statements are correct & Walter's understanding correct, I mislead everybody by saying that is a Schuko socket.

I am currently on Tenerife and therefore able to examine my Schuko extension lead. I can now see that a Schuko plug has a lug on either side & the socket has a recess either side - and so is reversible as discussed.

But if we all go back to OP's picture of a dedicated Alko female connector, you can see that the lead's socket has a lug one side and a recess the other. The machine will be the opposite, THEREFORE it is NOT reversible, therefore the discussion was barking up the wrong tree and,

YES, OP, it IS safe to use, because it is dedicated to the machine, you need the genuine article though as it's specific to purpose.

I'll get my coat.......

Thanks everyone for the input. The shredder/chipper whatsit is unlikely to be used until spring (I got it free on freecycle and have not used it yet). I'll take another look at the cable then and buy a proper replacement if needed.

As I don't know if this shredder works, I'd like to test it before buying a new cable. I want to temporarily put a new length of cable between the existing female connector, and a wall plug. How do I know what fuse to use in the wall plug? Is it based on a combination of cable gauge and watts?

The genuine part has a BS1363 3-pin UK plug so will be fitted with a brown 13 amp fuse. This will stand up to 3000 watts / 3kW.

What's wrong with the original cable, could you try it?

arco_iris wrote: ↑Thu Mar 10, 2022 8:16 am The genuine part has a BS1363 3-pin UK plug so will be fitted with a brown 13 amp fuse. This will stand up to 3000 watts / 3kW.

What's wrong with the original cable, could you try it?

Looking at the state of both connectors and the cable I'm not convinced its original. Might just connect it up and see what happens. Might get some free fireworks :)