110v use in the UK

[bigTee]

If I buy an electrical appliance from the states that runs on 110v AC – can I simply buy a converter plug adapter thingy from Maplins to run it in the UK?

Or is there more to it?

[Scuffers]

bigTee said:

If I buy an electrical appliance from the states that runs on 110v AC – can I simply buy a converter plug adapter thingy from Maplins to run it in the UK?

Or is there more to it?

depends on what the appliance in question is....

Voltage convertors are easy, the hard part is if said appliance needs 60hz AC as opposed to 50Hz we have here...

[Neil_H]

bigTee said:

If I buy an electrical appliance from the states that runs on 110v AC – can I simply buy a converter plug adapter thingy from Maplins to run it in the UK?

Or is there more to it?

What is the device in question?

The short answer is no, unless the device has one of those switching external power supplies (like laptops have for example).

If it's something that draws a lot of current like a hairdryer or cooker of some kind then absolutely not, since you will fry it. For something small you may get away with it (not really recommended though).

I've just had to order a voltage converter for a rice cooker bought for me from Japan. It draws high wattage so a converter is essential.

Edited by Neil_H on Wednesday 7th January 14:50

[bigTee]

something like this



http://www.frightcatalog.com/Halloween-Props/Anima...



it says is requires standard AC power

[Neil_H]

bigTee said:

something like this



http://www.frightcatalog.com/Halloween-Props/Anima...



it says is requires standard AC power

Crikey!

I'm guessing it will have an electric motor, which means it will probably need a converter.

Might be worth asking them for more details, specifically the power rating in volts/ watts.

[bigTee]

i'll email them.


you just can't get the props in the UK.

[matchmaker]

Scuffers said:

bigTee said:

If I buy an electrical appliance from the states that runs on 110v AC – can I simply buy a converter plug adapter thingy from Maplins to run it in the UK?

Or is there more to it?

depends on what the appliance in question is....

Voltage convertors are easy, the hard part is if said appliance needs 60hz AC as opposed to 50Hz we have here...

Exactly. 240v to 110v transformers can be found on any building site. But 50Hz.

[Neil_H]

Yeah the frequency will be an issue if it has a motor in it. It would work but could fail sooner/ overheat etc

[tlracing]

Probably best to contact the suppliers and enquire.

I suspect the control systems internally will be low voltage DC (but I may be wrong); if so, it would be possible to replace the original US input power supply with a similar one (ie. with the same output) designed for 230V.

Many small transformers are manufactured with both 115V and 230V pins and can be reconfigured from one to the other.

[bigTee]

cheers guys.

i've emailed them.

[Simpo Two]

You could pay somebody to stand in a barrel and sway for a lot less than $950

[bigTee]

Simpo Two said:

You could pay somebody to stand in a barrel and sway for a lot less than $950

I might just do that!!

[DOOG]

bigTee said:

you just can't get the props in the UK.

Does seem quite a 'niche' product to be fair..

Wonder how many they sell?

[bigTee]

DOOG said:

bigTee said:

you just can't get the props in the UK.

Does seem quite a 'niche' product to be fair..

Wonder how many they sell?

I've looked into it and they sell a hell of a lot.

You know what the yanks are like. Every house turns into a haunted house in October.

It's a massive market over there.