Masterplug UK to European Plug Adaper, UK to EU Travel Adapter 7.5A in White (3 pin to 2 pin)

Over the few decades, hoses, lawnmowers, extension plugs and the like have made gardening tasks a much easier prospect, but gardening safety rules are a must-know for everyone. As with all electrical appliances, there can be safety hazards when using any electrical tool in the garden. When dealing with exterior garden electrics you must consider the weather, and how temperamental it can be in the UK. We at Sparks can assist you the best we can in staying safe when using electronic equipment outdoors in this article. Top tips for garden safety RCDs It is imperative that you have a Residual Current Device (RCD). These are potentially life-saving devices that protect against electrical shocks and reduce the risk of electrical fires. Electrical Safety First explain the importance of installing RCDs in this article. We at Sparks sell a range of RCDs, such as the Masterplug from BG Electrical, which is IP65 rated for outdoor use: perfect for gardening appliances. Without an RCD, if you were to accidentally cut an electrical lead, a simple task such as mowing the lawn may kill you. Sockets plugged into lawnmowers, hedge trimmers or other power tools must have RCD protection.RCD Protection at Sparks When mowing - cut the grass not the lead! When using a heavy-duty appliance such as a lawnmower or hedge trimmer it is of paramount importance that you keep the cables and plugs free from any damage. To stay safe while mowing the lawn follow these suggestions: Purchase a good quality lawn mower or hedge trimmer from a respected manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to the letter. When using a hedge trimmer wear gloves and goggles, in case of falling debris. Check to see if the socket outlet is RCD-protected. Regularly test the RCD using its test button, until you are assured the RCD has been tested within the last three months. Never cut grass in wet conditions. Wear appropriate footwear that will protect your feet. If you are mowing, unplug the appliance and wait until its blades have stopped turning. Then you can move onto other tasks such as cleaning grass blockages. Similarly, when using a hedge trimmer, unplug the device and wait for it to turn off - before you start removing jammed hedge trimmings. Take care when digging in the garden. There may be electric, gas and water services buried below the ground. Ensure that electric water pumps do not electrify the water Water and electricity are not friends so be very careful when using electric water pumps. Here are some steps to follow in this respect: Ensure the electric water pump is high-quality and bought from a reputable retailer. Make sure the pump is RCD-protected and checked at least every 3 months. Establish that the pump is installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Check to see that they have provided cables that are protected from accidental damage. Test to see that the pump is in good working order and that all cables and connections are stable. If there is a problem during this test, then switch off the electrical supply immediately and have the pump examined by a registered electrician. Maintain flexible cables and connectors 25m extension reel with 110V 16A plug complete with 2 x 16A Socket, Unwound Current Rating 16A, 110V, rated at IP44 for site lighting, in a yellow finish. For your safety and the safety of your family, it is of extreme importance that you check the extension leads, cables, and connections used in the garden. Failing to do this could lead to serious and even fatal electrical shocks. In order to maintain garden security, make sure of the following: All exterior leads are suitable for outdoor use. They should be weather-resistant with moulded connections that stop moisture from entering. They should be rated appropriately for the equipment you wish to connect them to. They must be uncoiled, to prevent them from overheating. Leads should be replaced if any damage is found. They must be used in compliance with the manufacturers' instructions. They have to be positioned in an appropriate manner that avoids damage. They must be kept dry. For multiple cables in the garden, we would recommend the Wiska Junction Box, which is IP66 rated and has eight cable entries. This should help keep your outdoor cables in order.Buy Extension Reels at Sparks Garden Lighting Safety Garden lights are popular, but careful attention should be placed on their installation and maintenance. Remember that any light placed outdoors must be IP44+ rated or above. For mains-supplied lighting in the garden, here are some tips: Buy high-quality outdoor lighting from a reputable supplier (such as Astro Lighting, LEDS-C4, Flos, etc) Ensure your outdoor lights are waterproof. Also check that any light fitting used in water features, such as fountains, are waterproof. Have the lighting installed by a registered electrician and following the manufacturers guidelines, as well as BS 7671 – Requirements for Electrical Installations (IET Wiring Regulations). Frequently check for damaged lights, cables and connections in your garden. Before changing over any lamps, turn off the mains power supply. You can find a registered electrician who is capable of exterior lighting work here. Power tools and other garden equipment Take care of your power tools – check before and after every use and look out for broken parts or fraying leads. Never clean, check, or adjust any tools while they are still connected to an electrical supply. Be sure that you always unplug first. Working with electricity in the garden can be tricky and dangerous. Don’t do DIY repairs. If you notice a problem with your power tool, hire a professional repair person instead. Wear protective clothing and footwear when using power tools. The protective shoes help keep you ‘earthed’ in the event of a shock. Before you start drilling, check to see if there are no buried cables present. Many pets will track a trailing lead, and follow it to pounce or bite on it. Ensure your pets are not around when operating a power tool outdoors. It is important too, to check the assembly of any power tools you are utilizing. The first thing you should do is make sure your tools are correctly assembled by carefully following the manufacturer's instructions. The safety guards should be in place and all switches must be in working order. Hold on to the instructions so you can refer back to them if an issue arises. It is also a clever idea to keep any labels (or nameplates) on the tool so that you can refer back to this information. Smaller power tools such as strimmers require minimal maintenance. All you have to do is clean them after each use and store them in a dry place. Furthermore, tighten any movable components and check regularly for signs of wear and tear, replacing parts when necessary. When looking at larger tools, like the ones discussed above - lawnmowers and hedge-trimmers - it can get more complicated. They may use oil and will need oil filter changing. How often depends on the make, but always check with the manufacturer.Tools and Testers at Sparks Keep on top of your home garden safety Electric gardening tools are a blessing - but they can also be a curse. They make the process of gardening so much easier and quicker. However, the flipside comes with potential risk from electrical shocks caused by the climate, not following the manufacturer’s instructions, and other forms of damage that occurs only outside. Keep this safety guide in mind next time you bring out the power tool (or any electrical appliance) for a bit of spring maintenance in your garden.

As you’re about to head off on holiday, electrical safety is probably the last thing on your mind. But it should be something you take very seriously, for we here in the UK are used to a relatively high standard of electrical safety regulations. These rules do not apply to all other countries, whose laws may be far more lenient. There will be many differences regarding appliances you might bring abroad, for instance, the voltage. Standard UK electrical equipment uses 230V (volts) and 50 Hz (Hertz); however, abroad it may vary from anywhere between 100V to 240V. We Sparks will advise you on precautions and general advice, to consider while travelling abroad with electronics. Are my UK devices compatible abroad? What should I bring? A standard 3-pin UK charger will not plug into most sockets in other countries, so it is important you research the type of sockets used globally. The World Standards state that there are 15 different types of sockets (arranged alphabetically A-O). They allow for varying levels of voltage and may be used with either one or several plug types. It is likely you’ll need a travel adaptor if you wish to use your UK electronics. This is a simple device that enables you to plug your appliance into a foreign socket. Next on the list of handy electrical items to bring are voltage converters. In most cases, you will need to use a ‘step up’ converter that bolsters a lower voltage (for instance, the standard US voltage is 120V). They will bring the voltage level up to 230V, which is the required amount to operate UK electrical devices. The different frequency levels may also affect appliances. For instance, a European 50Hz clock may run faster on a US 60Hz electricity supply and gain 10 minutes every hour - this could very well cause delays or confusion! If you are departing on a cross-country travel expedition, it is important that you check what type of sockets, and the voltage supply, are provided during transport. For instance, the type of socket used on a cruise liner may not be the standard type used in the country it departed from. Check with your cruise/tour operator or travel agent. You will most likely need to purchase a travel adaptor and/or voltage converter before you go on holiday. They can easily be bought online, at a Post Office or here at Sparks. Here is a bite-sized guide of what to consider when packing your electrics for an overseas trip. It would be wise to buy these items in the UK, as the products available abroad are not subject to British safety standards.Buy Switches and Sockets at Sparks Will it be safe using my UK electrical equipment abroad? Under-voltage and over-voltage There are three simple rules for staying safe when plugging in your appliances abroad: Check if the appliance uses the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country you are in. Check to see that the appliance is double-insulated. If it is, and one of the metal cases becomes live, then only a minimal amount of voltage will pass between the contacts and you will not receive a shock. If the appliance uses a different voltage level and is not double-insulated, then you must use a voltage converter or transformer. This will prevent under-voltage or over-voltage accidents. As stated above, we strongly advise that you research the socket outlet types and voltage supplies of the country that you are visiting. One of the most dangerous aspects of using devices abroad is seen when people change the power supply to suit the one that they are used to at home. Supplying a computer with 110V in a country that uses 230V mains power is risky, for instance. Doing this may cause an alarming humming sound to come from your computer followed by smoke. This can effectively destroy your computer, as it will damage the motor. It can cause components to melt down and appliances to malfunction. With ‘over-voltage’ the appliance will draw in far too much current, causing it to run ‘too fast and too high’ which once again could result in breakage.Buy Twin Socket with USB Charger Earthed connections and double-insulated devices It is also of paramount importance you check that your travel adaptor is suited for appliances that require an earthed connection. If it is not suited for an earthed connection, then it must be used with double-insulated equipment to avoid electrical shocks. Double-insulated appliances are easy to identify with their typical symbol being two overlapped squares (“a square in a square”). Before you plug any appliance in, ensure that it does not exceed the maximum power rating which will be displayed in AMPS or WATTS on the adaptor. Many countries use 100-127V, so if your device is not double-insulated it is essential that you use a voltage converter or transformer to ‘step up’ the voltage. However, not all UK electrical items are compatible with converters. If you are unsure, make certain that you check with the manufacturer. Will I be personally safe using my UK electrical equipment abroad? As stated above, the risks of under-voltage or over-voltage will affect mainly your electrical equipment and should be noticeable immediately. These incidents are not to taken lightly, but are unlikely to physically harm you. However, there are other dangers posed by using electrics abroad and some basic steps to avoid these dangers, and here are some precautions to do this: Never touch electrical equipment with wet hands. Never touch light switches that are cracked or show any signs of wear-and-tear. Don’t plug equipment into a socket which looks damaged or has its cover missing. Never take a mains powered electrical device into the bathroom. Double check your travel adaptor is correct for the country you going to. Do not try and jam it in to the socket if it does not fit with ease. Be aware of any burning smells, sounds of ‘arcing’ (buzzing and crackling), fuses blowing or scorch marks on plugs and sockets. In locations such as campsites, check if there is Residual Current Device (RCD) protection or a similar device that will cut off the supply in case of an electrical fault. Staying safe abroad Our electronics have become such an integral part of our lives that practically all of us will bring some form of handheld device on holiday. If you do so, ensure that you follow our advice and be certain that you have the right plug adaptor and a voltage converter (if necessary). Remember that some travel adaptors are not suited for appliances that require an earthed connection and should only be used with double-insulated equipment. Also, make sure that you do not damage your electrical devices by using the wrong plug adaptor or by not using a voltage converter when needed. Nothing is worse than the sight of smoke rising from your laptop when you were just planning on getting in touch with friends back home! Above all else, we hope you and your family have a fun holiday, safe in the knowledge you understand the importance of electrical safety abroad.