Additions Converter 23mm - White

Travel plugs and second hand lamps often arrive with a Continental plug on the end, and this white converter is the quick answer: it accepts the European plug and presents a UK profile to the socket. The pins flip away when it is not in use, so it packs flat and does not snag in a drawer or a case. It is rated at 3A, which suits table lamps, floor lamps and similar light domestic loads rather than anything that draws heavily. An earth path is carried through, which matters for appliances that need one.

We keep these by the till for customers who have bought a lamp abroad or inherited one with the wrong plug, and it is the piece we reach for when a base and shade are worth keeping but the flex is best left alone. It suits holiday flats, rented rooms, home offices and workshops where European and British kit share the same sockets. Slim across at 23mm, it takes up little room on a trailing socket, and it is small enough to live in a suitcase pocket.

The white body is plain and unbranded, so it sits behind furniture without drawing the eye, and the folding pins keep the whole thing tidy between uses. Keep it dry and indoors, away from bathrooms, garden sockets and anywhere it might be splashed. To clean, unplug it first and wipe the shell over with a dry cloth, leaving the pin recesses and contacts alone. It carries a three year warranty. We stock it alongside the rest of our small electrical bits, including a clear plugtop, white and black E27 lampholders, adjustable multi-way lampholder converters and cable grips, so the odd jobs around a lamp can be sorted in one order.

What does this converter actually do?

It lets a European style plug be used in a standard UK socket. The European plug pushes into the converter, and the converter's UK pins go into the socket.

What load will it take?

It is rated at 3A, so it is intended for table and floor lamps and other light domestic appliances. Anything with a heavy draw, such as heaters, kettles or power tools, needs a properly rated arrangement instead.

How big is it?

It measures 49mm long, 23mm wide and 52mm high, which is small enough to leave permanently in a bag or a drawer.

Does it carry an earth?

Yes. It is a Class 1 accessory with an earth connection, so appliances requiring an earth are catered for.

Can I use it outdoors or in a bathroom?

No. It is rated IP20, which means dry indoor use only. Keep it away from splashes, damp cellars and outside sockets.

How should I look after it?

Unplug it, then wipe the outside with a dry cloth. Do not poke anything into the pin recesses and do not use water or sprays on it.