Moving back to UK - changing plugs on electrical appliances

[NichyNoo]

We're moving back to the UK from Belgium in a month. We have lots of electrical appliances that we will take back with us (microwave, kettle, lamps, electric razors, TV, DVD player etc.). These all have continental two-prong plugs that do not have the 'earth' in the plug like in the UK.

Can we simply replace the plugs with UK-style plugs? I am concerned that this means they won't be earthed. Apparently some appliances are earthed inside the appliance but I can't find reference to this in the appliance instructions. I'm concerned that if we have a house fire in the UK, the fact that our appliances aren't earthed via the plug will invalidate the insurance.....

Well, we have done it both ways... We took appliances with us from Germany to the UK, and simply changed the plugs ourselves. And then, several years later, we took UK appliances back to Germany, including washing machine, dishwasher, tumble drier etc. again, we changed the plugs ourselves.

We never had any problems, but I can't answer the question about it possibly affecting insurance...

Just spoke to my DH a lot of products aren't earthed (hair dryers, laptops etc).

He says that the plug on a European appliance is self earthing .i.e built into the plug? You'll see a metal core on the plug if it requires an earth.

However when you cut the plugs off the appliances to attach the new plug there should be three wires within the cable, including the earth.

Hope that makes sense, he is shouting from the bath.

www.electriciansforums.co.uk/electrical-wiring-theories-electrical-regulations/57508-european-uk-plug-conversion-2-pin-3-pin.html

These folks seem quite helpful, perhaps post with your query, also?