2-prong plug question

Hello,

Apologies if this information is available elsewhere in the forum.

I recently moved to UK from the States, and I have a London flat and have been happy using the standard 230V 3-prong outlets without any worries, because all I have are appliances that use the 3-prong plug standard.  However, I just purchased a piece of computer networking equipment that uses a 2-prong plug, like a shaver.    I can't find anything about this type of plug anywhere.  The only similar socket is in the bathroom, but that is not really  a solution. 
I don't think there are surge suppressors for this type of plug, at least not at the major DIY centers; wouldn't I need one? The plug itself can handle 230v and presumably the equipment itself can as well.  Here are a couple of items from the manual:

Power Supply: DC 5V, switching type
Power consumption: 5 Watt (1000mA x 5V)

Will a shaver adapter do the trick, or are there any concerns with doing things with a shaver adapter?  Sorry, I'm not electrically inclined.  Any help appreciated!

Hi there

Quick look on ebay shows

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-Pcs-USA-2-Pin-to-UK-3-Pin-Main-Plug-Adapter-Converter_W0QQitemZ180202094375QQihZ008QQcategoryZ19315QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Using the search term 'USA plug adaptor'

3 adaptors for £3 delivered from the US to here! can't really go wrong - I have these same plugs for USA electronics I use here.

Plug the adaptor into a normal surge protected power strip - that sorts that issue out.

Just ensure that the networking equipment you've bought is capable of handling a 240V supply. If it doesn't then you'll need to purchase a step down transformer - there are other threads on this forum about that. However, most IT & PC related hardware 'should' be multi/dual voltage capable.

Cheers! DtM! West London & Slough UK!

  Sorry for being unclear, what I meant was the UK 2-prong, not the US 2-prong.
It looks much like this:
newcomer link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:C_plug.jpg [nonactive]

At the moment I have a shaver adapter which probably will do the trick.  I just thought it odd that the product wasn't shipped with a three prong plug, but this weird 2-prong one. Maybe I don't get the whole story.

That is a standard European plug.  A simple adaptor will do - you can get them at supermarkets, the post office, loads of places.

I am not sure if a shaver adaptor would do the trick or not.

Vicky

Sorry I missed this question earlier..... 

The European plug is not quite the same as the British shaver plug.  The latter is the old British 5A plug design which was once commonly used on radios, bedside lamps, and similar small appliances.    The European plug has prongs which are thinner, longer, and set on slightly wider centers than the old British plug, so adapters to allow the British 5A plug to be used on a 13A socket are not ideally suited. 

However, many shaver adapters have contacts which are designed to accept either type of plug, typically looking something like this:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=1186&doy=10m1

(This one accepts flat-prong American plugs as well.)

You can also buy semi-permanent converters for the European plugs, like this one:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ITAG=SPEC&ModuleNo=19246&doy=10m1#spec

You just push the plug into the adapter, screw the top down, then use it like any regular British 13A plug. 

Far better, and often cheaper, is to simply cut off the European plug and replace it with a rewireable British plug.

Far better, and often cheaper, is to simply cut off the European plug and replace it with a rewireable British plug.

I've done that. Easy and not as scary as it sounds.