electrical
I have sockets around my sitting room that I can control and dim from the light switch. I want to plug in some christmas lights but don't want to change all the plugs. CAn i change the plug on a normal extension cable for a 5 amp small round pin plug and plug in some square pin lights to that, allowing me to dim from the light switch?
Michelle
You should be OK to use a 3A appliance on a 5A circuit. The circuit is capable of supplying up to 5A but it is the individual appliance (lamp in this case) that determines how much current is drawn.
I'm surprised a new home would have BS 546 round-pin plugs instead of the more usual BS 1363 rectangular-pin plugs.
Wikipedia says
Although BS 546 plugs and sockets are still permitted in the U.K. and are used for special purposes, new installations since 1947 generally have used BS 1363 sockets and fused plugs.
Until now, I thought the only place where round-pin plugs were used was in theatrical stages, where I think they are used to prevent people plugging inappropriate devices into theatrical lighting circuits.
If the BS 546 plugs don't have built-in fuses, they don't provide any protection to the line-cord between the plug and the lamp.
BS 1363 plugs have additional safety features which may not be present in BS 546 plugs
For example a small child can poke their hands (or part of a metal toy) behind a loose BS 546 plug and be in contact with 230 V.
Assuming this plug (a BS 1363)
and this BS 546 socket
To convert a 1363 plug to a 546 socket, this fused adapter (13A) can be safely used:
Best Answer
Assuming by this that you mean UK standard 13A 3-square pin plugs and 5A 3-round pin plugs then yes.
I have done this for my lights for several years.
You do have to bear one thing in mind. While 13A square-pin plugs contain a fuse within the plug, 5A round-pin plugs do not. They are protected by the circuit breaker at the main fuse box.
I assume your 13A plugs actually contain a 3A or 5A fuse if you're using them just for fairy lights. Check the ratings and where your round-pin sockets are actually protected.