Cutting off an usb plug question

Posted 11th May 2023

Can you cut off an usb plug from fairy lights and fit a normal 3 pin plug.
Asking for a friend, honestly.
The wires from the base of the usb plug came away and lights not working.
Only two wires to usb plug.
Just a thought.

Thanks in advance.

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16 Comments

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a666andy
11th May
No, don't even think about it

Unless you wanna see them burn / melt / explode lol

Edit to explain a little, usb is 5v and your mains sockets are 240v (edited)
baldybob Author
11th May
It was a usb plug fitted into a three pin plug. Then plugged into a wall socket.
Mclwrth
11th May
You can buy replacement USB plugs, such as this and this. Probably much cheaper from AliExpress than Ebay.
melted
11th May
You might be able to connect it to a new 5v USB plug, but it depends, some fairy lights have a controller chip in their plug which communicates over the two power wires to "smart" rgb leds with integrated chips.

So you need to work out if it is just a standard usb plug, or not, or if it contains a chip, power regulator, or resistor. (edited)
richp
11th May
you want your hair to stand on end when you plug that in, cause that's how you get your....... Oh wait. (edited)
baldybob Author
11th May
Not a problem anymore.
aLV426
11th May
Can you cut off an usb plug from fairy lights and fit a normal 3 pin plug. - erm, yes, yes I can. Do I want to? No? Would it be safe? Probably not....

You have provided insufficient detail for us to provide a realistic answer.
baldybob Author
11th May
Cheers guys.
I'll buy her a new set.....

....but keep the spare plug.
bob-mk2
11th May
In all honesty, it is probably the easiest method and one that is most likely to succeed.
richp
11th May
This brings back memories when I was a kid, I had an old 9v walkie talkie, battery went flat, so I ripped the battery plug off, bared the wires & shoved them into a figure of 8 power lead........ Just to say pants were soiled that day