Electrical safety advice
The University has strict rules on the use of certain electrical items. This is necessary to protect staff and students from the risk of fire and electric shock.
Please take time to read this guidance, as it will help to ensure you do not have the unnecessary expense of having to replace unsuitable equipment.
Electricity can kill. Do not take unnecessary chances.
Even non-fatal electric shocks can lead to severe and permanent injury. Faulty electrical items can also lead to fires which may cause death, injury to others or damage to property as
shown in these real-life examples of electrical fires (.pdf)
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Connecting to the UK mains supply
A UK three-pin plug.
Only electrical items that operate between voltages of 220–240v and at a frequency of 50Hz are suitable for use in the UK. Equipment that operates on any other voltage and frequency
may be damaged if connected to the UK mains electricity supply. To avoid damaging equipment that has been purchased overseas, please check the voltage and frequency
(which will be marked on your equipment) before bringing it to the UK.
Connection to the UK mains electricity supply is through a three-pin plug, so connecting electrical devices designed for use outside the UK to the UK power supply can be complicated. You can either:
A UK electronics lead and three-pin plug.
- purchase your electrical items (e.g. hair driers, rice cookers) in the UK: this is the safest option and will mean you do not have to bring equipment with you;
- for equipment supplied with a detachable mains lead (e.g. laptop computers), you can replace the detachable mains lead with one fitted with a UK standard three-pin plug (as shown in the photo); or
- you can purchase a travel adaptor. Travel adaptors must be fused and comply with UK safety standards. Please read the guidance below to ensure you purchase a suitable one.
Travel adaptors
Every year we find many examples of unsafe travel adaptors in study bedrooms. If your travel adaptor is found to be unsafe you will not be allowed to use it. So please follow the guidance
below before you purchase.
It is strongly recommended that you purchase your adaptor when you arrive in the UK. You will find University recommended adaptors available for sale at the University's Students' Union shop:
everythingEssex. A range of other electrical accessories, such as multi-way extension leads, are also available from
everything Essex.
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Prohibited electrical equipment
You must not use equipment for heating, cooking, refrigeration or washing in the study bedrooms of University-owned accommodation. This is because the equipment can produce significant
heat which could start a fire or cause injury. In addition, the way items are heated or cooked can produce fumes which could activate the fire alarm system.
The kitchens in our accommodation are equipped with a cooker, refrigerator, freezer, microwave oven, kettle and iron. You can also purchase rice cookers (for use in the kitchens only)
from everythingEssex.
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Using multi-plug extension leads
A UK multi-plug extension lead.
These are used to increase the number of electrical items you can plug into a wall socket. However, although there may be space to plug in four or more appliances, this does not mean it is
always safe to do so. Different electrical appliances use different amounts of energy. To avoid the risk of overheating and possibly fire, you should never plug into an extension lead or
socket appliances that together use more than 13 amps or 3000 watts (3kW) of energy. Items that produce heat, such as hair driers, use a lot of energy and so more than one should
not be used together on one multi-plug extension.
Use the Socket Overload Calculator below to check what items can safely be used together on a multi-way extension lead.
If you use a multi-plug extension lead, make sure that it has a fuse, as this will give additional protection. Some have surge protection, which should also protect your electronic
equipment (e.g. laptops) from being damaged. Suitable multi-plug extension leads are available from everythingEssex.
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Purchasing goods from everythingEssex
You can purchase a range of electrical items and other useful products from the University's Students' Union shop:
everythingEssex, safe in the knowledge that we have checked
that our suppliers are selling safe products.
EverythingEssex is operated in partnership between the University of Essex and the Students’ Union. Proceeds made from sales are reinvested back into the University and Students’ Union ensuring
your purchases benefit the University of Essex and its students.
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Further information