Additions 3A Plug Adaptor 45mm Long - Black

This is the small black adaptor that lets a two-pin European plug sit safely in a British socket. It is rated at 3A, which covers table lamps, floor lamps, chargers and similar light loads rather than heaters or kettles. The body is a compact cube of roughly 44mm on each side, so it does not crowd a twin socket or fight with the plug beside it. Everything happens at the socket: the European plug pushes into the front, the British pins go into the wall. It is a Class 1 part, so an earth connection is required.

We sell a lot of these to people who have brought a lamp back from France, Spain or Italy and would rather keep the original flex as it is. They are just as useful for a European appliance bought online, or for a small item that travels between a UK home and a holiday flat. It is the sort of thing worth keeping in a drawer, because the need for one always arrives on a Sunday evening. Keep it to dry indoor rooms; it is no good in a garden, a greenhouse or anywhere near a bath or shower. We plug ours straight into the socket rather than into a daisy chain of extension leads.

The case is black throughout, which keeps it quiet behind a sideboard or against a dark socket. Care takes seconds: unplug it, wipe the case with a dry cloth, and check the pins are clean and straight before it goes back in. It carries a three year warranty. It sits in a wider range of small electrical parts we keep on the shelf, including a clear plugtop, IEC leads, cable grips in black and clear, and E27 lampholders in black and white.

What will a 3A rating actually run?

Around 700W at UK mains, so table and floor lamps, chargers, clocks, radios and other low draw items. Anything with a heating element, a motor or a high startup load should not be put through it.

How big is it?

It measures 45mm long by 44mm wide and 44mm high, and weighs about 30g, so it adds very little depth in front of the socket.

Does the appliance need to be earthed?

It is a Class 1 accessory and requires an earth connection, so use it with plugs and appliances that provide one.

Can I use it outdoors or in a bathroom?

No. It is intended for dry indoor use only, away from splashes, condensation and damp air.

How should I clean it?

Pull it out of the socket first, then wipe the outside with a dry cloth. Never use water or solvents, and keep the pin faces and pin holes dry and free of dust.

Is there a warranty?

Yes, it carries a three year warranty.