Life / Electricity in Poland: plug and voltage? [72]

@kpc21
I thank you for your kind and lengthy explanation, but doesn't it still mean that the electrical appliance (radio or TV or whatever it is) is still live when using an adaptor that doesn't swap the N and L to the correct pin even after the circuit trips (ie the RCD triggers and shuts off the power) or if the circuit is switched off by someone? That could mean that someone thinks their appliance is off and dead because they turned the circuit off, but because N and L are not coming through the correct pins the unit is live even if it doesn't seem to switch on and work. Surely that could be dangerous, if I am correct. Also, that could mean the RCD doesn't prevent danger if it works the same way and only disconnects the one ('wrong') wire.

In layman's terms, if I am right, then a person can still get an electric shock even if an appliance appears to be dead, when the RCD or manual switch has disconnected the usually correct wire but which would not be correct when L and N are transposed by the use of a UK-PL adaptor. This could also, I guess, mean that any fault triggering the RCD could still occur and cause either a shock or fire risk.

As I am unclear on the risks when using an adaptor, I would be inclined to unplug the appliance from the socket/receptacle if in doubt about it rather than use the circuit or other switch

I also think it's a great shame that Poland sockets don't have an on-off switch. In the UK, most sockets do. Here, they don't seem to exist and the only option is to buy a plug with a switch or an additional adaptor with switch. I have never seen a socket/receptacle with a switch here. Additionally, plugs are hard to remove and sockets are poorly fitted into walls generally, even in some new buildings. (It seems to me that without a switch on a socket, there is a spark or risk of a spark when plugging or unplugging appliances.)

Life / Electricity in Poland: plug and voltage? [72]

Thanks again, kpc.

I wouldn't fiddle with the lighting switch or sockets myself, not here in Poland. But thanks for the tips. Btw in the UK I think they made it illegal for householders to do certain types of work on their own electricity sockets and switches and installations, just as it is illegal there for a layman home owner to install gas appliances like a cooker or boiler.

Love / Observations and experiences so far about Polish women [93]

The very, very few Britons here either run firms or are or were management for some huge multinationals. I am surprised to hear they're looking at women of any age, because all the management ones I know of are spoken for and married to Poles or other nationalities and have been posted here for whatever reason on big salaries. But if they are single and overlooking you, it could just be they assume you're not available. So, if they're single and you're interested, just ask one out straight, "Hard day here, fancy coming for a coffee/beer with me, I could really use some company to chill out with." OK, you'll sound a bit American and cheesy, but better to try and see than wonder. Otherwise, get on over to the UK, because many cities have so many surplus men that you'll be in a relationship before you leave Stansted.

Life / Electricity in Poland: plug and voltage? [72]


All RCDs? Because elsewhere online an electrician claims otherwise. Much to my dismay, I might add.


I don't know what you mean unless you're saying a socket with a switch is less reliable.

In the UK we have these



I have never known one to fail if made by the proper manufacturers there such as MK

I am astounded at what to me looks like notably behind the times electrical installations in Poland, even in office blocks.

Life / Electricity in Poland: plug and voltage? [72]

And not so much in Poland?? Gulp.
What do you think about aluminum wiring? There is some where I am, along with copper too. I am thinking of getting rid of it because I'm told it's dangerous.

Also, what is that internal switch called which keeps a light on for 30 seconds? I don't mean the movement sensor. Are they easy to fit if I isolate the circuit and remove the old standard switch? In the UK, I used to do lots of DIY including replacing Grundfos heating water pumps, wiring in shaver sockets and light fittings, adding new sockets on a wall (from a spur, not the box) and burying cables in conduits. Here, I'm frankly rather scared. And I'm not sure why, perhaps because of the loose sockets and bad stuff I see all around.

(And of course, Happy 2015 to you, Peter.)

Life / Electricity in Poland: plug and voltage? [72]


I know the one you mean, probably - a push in round button that slowly pops out and then the light goes off. Often seen in bedsit land hallways.

What are they called in Polish?


I've also seen that - in the UK!


Ooh err, inclusive in the rent I bet, when as some people have to pay for that sort of thing...

Life / Electricity in Poland: plug and voltage? [72]

Thanks kpc, but it doesn't seem to be the same thing on Allegro (ie a light switch with a delay timer) allegro.pl/automat-schodowy-as-222t-firmy-ff-pabianice-i4924179934.html

Life / Electricity in Poland: plug and voltage? [72]


This is the UK one ebay.co.uk/bhp/timed-light-switch

Am I actually going to have to buy one in the UK?? Poland doesn't sell a simple switch like this? I'd also have to buy the relay box you mentioned? Ale jaja FFS.


Some people prefer that and some people have a mixer tap. Most fitted kitchens have had mixer taps for 40 years. We certainly had a mixer tap in my kitchen when I was a child and we had one for the bath and shower. But for the bathroom sink we had 2 individual taps. It all depends on what someone wants.

History / ORP Orzeł Polish submarine in Estonian Press [10]

Merged: Poland to search again for its lost WW2 submarine, ORP Orzel


cnsnews.com/news/article/poland-search-its-famous-wwii-submarine

Life / Electricity in Poland: plug and voltage? [72]

I'll assume from that a rewire to the box is better than a risky join or pigtail.


Thanks :)

History / ORP Orzeł Polish submarine in Estonian Press [10]

They've looked for it before, I don't know what new tech they have now that makes them think they can find it, but anyway. (Last fruitless search was I think 2008 or 2009.)

Apologies to Polish readers, it should be Orzeł not Orzel. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ORP_Orze%C5%82_(1938)

Life / Electricity in Poland: plug and voltage? [72]


Thanks, and yeah it's certainly not quite the price I'd hoped for :(

Law / Agricultural business. Registering as self employed in Poland. [18]


How does that work, if I may ask? How can their driving a taxi income not be taxed or be flat-taxed as farm income?

Law / Agricultural business. Registering as self employed in Poland. [18]

Peter Veg may know more about this than I, but I thought there was a lot of paperwork for anyone before starting a farm, whether a Pole or foreigner (although I assume foreigners are excluded until 2016)

Additionally, I have no idea how a cabbie with 2 ha of agricultural land somehow gets the benefit of reduced or zero taxation for his taxi driving earnings - if he does. Sounds too good to be true.

Law / Agricultural business. Registering as self employed in Poland. [18]


I see :D


Can't all new businesses get reduced ZUS every month for Year 1? Something like 400 zl. That's quite a bit less than any large initial ZUS needing 100 fares, surely?

Life / Cheap Laundry places in Warsaw [7]

Surely the cheapest solution is to flirt outrageously with your elderly neighbour and in so doing get her (or him) to open their big drum for your regular gratification. An occasional bag of washing aids may be all they expect from this 'neighbours with benefits' arrangement.

Law / How to register a new business in Poland [129]

Merged: Starting a new business in Poland - beware of registration scammers

This article highlights how scammers are taking money from new traders to register their business.


gazetawroclawska

Law / Agricultural business. Registering as self employed in Poland. [18]


Sounds good! I am getting a good sense of the benefits! Where can I sign up? ;)

News / Poland allowed birds and animals to be sent through the postal service? [5]


Yes, beakcause it would be cruel.

News / Poland allowed birds and animals to be sent through the postal service? [5]


Quite, one should always ensure the bird's head is at the other end of the envelope, i.e. the top left above the recipient address and also quickly switch off the power (or quickly press the 'Bird Consignment' button on later models) before the whole packet goes between the rollers and into the mail out sack. The problem is, it's all to easy to fall fowl of the regulations if a sender just wings it.

Real Estate / Looking for real estate in Poland (away from the 'city') [11]


Between cities in Poland or from Poland to Britain? Because it's closer to 2 hours or more if the latter depending on where in the UK or Poland you're flying between.

Can't you rent for 6 months and see if you all like it in PL longer term, before committing to The Big Return? I would, if I were you guys.

Btw you're not a troll, I hope and assume, because some things in your post squeak a little. No offence intended.

News / Doctors' surgeries and many clinics closed here in Poland - pretty chaotic [9]

Looker, thank you


Although I acknowledge there are many dedicated medics caught in the middle of this mess, I must agree with you.

The headline in the local paper says 64 clinics closed. Let me tell you, dear reader, Wroclaw is not as big as you may think and 64 seems to be a very large proportion of them, so there seems to be nowhere to go in effect.

Local paper headline


gazetawroclawska

Law / PESEL for EU citizen working for a EU company (not Polish) in Poland [42]

I think you need to get the stay registration blue card from the Foreigners' Office (it certifies you as registered to stay) and then you go to the city council office with your flat's tenancy agreement or deed if you bought a flat plus your passport and the blue card, and they will issue you with a PESEL in a few weeks. They might also issue one on the strength of your employer's letter confirming employment, but I think when that's the case it's for your employer to get the PESEL for you.

Law / PESEL for EU citizen working for a EU company (not Polish) in Poland [42]


You mean the


It's a blue card here.

Law / PESEL for EU citizen working for a EU company (not Polish) in Poland [42]


They don't issue the PESEL automatically in every city or region, that's for sure. There seems to be some variation between administrative centres.

Law / PESEL for EU citizen working for a EU company (not Polish) in Poland [42]


:D Nope and nope, I am 100% sure that is not the way it went here. So that's either a new procedure or is not universally applied.

News / Doctors' surgeries and many clinics closed here in Poland - pretty chaotic [9]

But as you can guess, there is the danger that someone who's seriously ill won't get an ambulance because it's called out to something comparatively trivial. And I speak with bitter experience from my time in the UK.

News / Doctors' surgeries and many clinics closed here in Poland - pretty chaotic [9]


Well, I'm not asking for sympathy but that wouldn't be affordable for me, even if it is loose change for someone high-ranking at Credit Sewers. Those of us on local and unremarkable money cannot hope to afford it.


news.yahoo/polish-doctors-clash-minister-shuts-many-surgeries-124603305.html

Yes, it's spread here, certainly seems to be a lot of closed surgeries, and there's now talk of a wider strike in the news media.