What is an Adaptor?

An adapter or adaptor is a device used to match the physical or electrical characteristics of two different things so that a connection may be made between them.

An adaptor may be very simple, connecting one kind of plug to another kind of socket, but not changing what passes through.

Adaptor Examples

One example would be a garden hose, which normally has threads that screw on, but can be attached to an adapter which allows it to snap easily on and off of faucets, other hoses, or attachments.

Likewise, a serial port may require an adapter to connect between the old DB-25 type and the later DE-9 type, which have 25 and 9 pins (respectively) but only 9 wires each.

Other adaptors may include a device that changes what is passing through, such as a transformer that adapts household electrical current from high voltage (100 to 240 volts AC) to low voltage (3 to 24 volts DC) suitable for consumer electronics.

Adaptors in Pat Testing

In Pat Testing, Adaptors are used to connect different plugs to different sockets. Pat Testers either Pat Test at 240 voltages or 110 voltages. This is made more complicated by how many pins are in the socket and the amp of the socket / plug.

As you may know, there are many Pat Testing Adaptors out there!

Pat Testing Adaptors

Pat Testing Adaptors usually retail between £10 to £20. Here are some example Pat Testing Leads and Adaptors:

1) 240v UK 13 Amp Plug to 110v 32amp 3 pin 100v Socket (Yellow).

2) 240v 10amp IEC socket to 110v 32amp 3 pin 110v plug.

3) 240v UK 13amp plug to 240v 16amp 3 pin 240v socket (Blue).

4) 240v 10amp IEC socket to 240v 16amp 3 pin 240v plug.

5) 240v 10amp IEC socket to 240v 32amp 3 pin 240v plus (Blue).

6) IEC socket to 110v plug (Yellow).

7) 240v UK 13amp plug to 240v 32amp 3 pin 240v socket (Blue).

8) 240v UK 13amp plug to 415v 16amp 4 pin 415v socket (Red).

9) 240v UK 13amp plug to 415v 32amp 5 pin 415v socket (Yellow).

10) 240v UK 13amp plug to 415v 16amp 5 pin 415v socket (Red).

11) 240v UK 13amp plug to 415v 32amp 4 pin 415v socket (Red).

12) 240v UK 13amp plug to 415v 32amp 5 pin 415v socket (Red).

Pat Testing Companies providing Pat Testing Adaptor Leads

Portable Appliance Safety Services Ltd
http://www.pat-services.co.uk
Pat Testing Labels and Stickers

Elite Test Equipment Ltd
http://www.elitetestequipment.co.uk
Affordable and Professional Pat Testing Kits