UK Electric

[Bob and Patricia 0]

Slightly off topic question here (or maybe it's not)

We're making a list of things Patricia can bring here when she moves and what she'll have to leave behind. Obviously most of the things left behind are items that require electricity. The TV set and other entertainment items are no biggie, but we're really hesitant to leave the new Dyson vacuum and her sewing machine.

I know the power there is 220 volts but I'm not sure of the line frequency or cycles or hertz.. I'm thinking it might be 50, where its 60 here in the states. I have a few 220 outlets here in the house left over from the days of window air conditioners. It's a piece of cake to change the plug or outlet so that things physically mate, but I'm unsure if they motors will function with the different line cycles. I tried Dyson customer service and the official line is, "we do not recommend doing that as it will void your warranty."

Has anyone done this before? Did it work, did the motor run fast or slow or burn up?

Thanks

Bob (who will score lots of Brownee points if we can bring her Dyson over)

[govols 0]

You can buy Dyson in the US

[*julez* 124]

Two weeks ago I was in the UK with my husband visiting my father-in-law. While we were there he required the services of an electrician, who explained that most US appliances shouldn't be used in the UK, even with a plug in converter as it will burn out the appliance very quickly. He also added that some appliances have "built in" coverters, allowing the appliance to work at the standard US 110 volts, or the standard UK voltage (240?).

For example, we purchased a new camera in the UK that came with a battery charger. On the charger it says that it can accomodate a range of voltage, 110 to 240. We need to make sure we have the right type of plug for a US outlet and it will work fine.

If you have any electrician friends you might want to ask them about this. Good luck!

[Bob and Patricia 0]

You can buy Dyson in the US

Yes, they sell all over the place here, but she already owns one. The sewing machine is also something she wants to bring. Granted we can buy one here, she's kinda partial to its 'personality and quirks'

Two weeks ago I was in the UK with my husband visiting my father-in-law. While we were there he required the services of an electrician, who explained that most US appliances shouldn't be used in the UK, even with a plug in converter as it will burn out the appliance very quickly. He also added that some appliances have "built in" coverters, allowing the appliance to work at the standard US 110 volts, or the standard UK voltage (240?).

For example, we purchased a new camera in the UK that came with a battery charger. On the charger it says that it can accomodate a range of voltage, 110 to 240. We need to make sure we have the right type of plug for a US outlet and it will work fine.

If you have any electrician friends you might want to ask them about this. Good luck!

Yes, electronics and the like will generally work with only a physical adapter. Motors like sewing machines and vacuum cleaners are a whole 'nuther beast. I have 220 volts in the house but I was most concerned about the line frequency or 'cycles'.

Electricians tell me the motor might run faster or it might burn out completely. I guess I was looking for real world experience.

Thanks both of you!

Bob

[*julez* 124]

I know of one VJ member who had her electrician husband install some elctrics that allow her to use her UK appliances. I'll see if I can coax her into posting her experience.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

We run our UK stereo using a convertor box we bought for about $30 - we've hd it for 3 1/2 years with no problems.

[rocks 494]

Slightly off topic question here (or maybe it's not)

We're making a list of things Patricia can bring here when she moves and what she'll have to leave behind. Obviously most of the things left behind are items that require electricity. The TV set and other entertainment items are no biggie, but we're really hesitant to leave the new Dyson vacuum and her sewing machine.

I know the power there is 220 volts but I'm not sure of the line frequency or cycles or hertz.. I'm thinking it might be 50, where its 60 here in the states. I have a few 220 outlets here in the house left over from the days of window air conditioners. It's a piece of cake to change the plug or outlet so that things physically mate, but I'm unsure if they motors will function with the different line cycles. I tried Dyson customer service and the official line is, "we do not recommend doing that as it will void your warranty."

Has anyone done this before? Did it work, did the motor run fast or slow or burn up?

Thanks

Bob (who will score lots of Brownee points if we can bring her Dyson over)

the power there is 230/240 volts (not 220), frequency is 50hz. here's a list of them all incase you're interested. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_count...and_frequencies

as other people have said, you can buy a transformer to use uk items there. you're probably better off just buying a new dyson though!

Edited February 27, 2009 by rocks

[Daisy 0]

I identify with your SO!

I used both items in the UK and it was only when we were packing that I realised it would be a real wrench leaving them. Sad huh?!!! I couldnt bare to part with my much loved Bernina sewing machine (I make drapes) so included it with 'stuff' that was shipped over. Hubby was able to purchase a cheap transformer on the web. Its a heavy black box about 8"x 5" x 3" in size and the machine works fine, a tad slower than I was used to back in UK. I am really pleased we brought it over.

My 3 yr old dyson - I decided against shipping. I gave it to my daughter who is now hooked! We were able to purchase a dyson over here from Overstock at a very reasonable price.

Good Luck.

daisy

[Mags 112]

For the cost of shipping (purely by weight) I don't know if it would be cost effective to bring it, personally.

I do know that I had a friend bring her UK hairdryer over to the USA on holiday one year. She used it in the hotel and managed to blow the fuse for the entire floor.

I hate Dysons, I think they are an overpriced piece of #######, but I am the Vacuum Cleaner Destroyer, so maybe it's just me!

[Bob and Patricia 0]

For the cost of shipping (purely by weight) I don't know if it would be cost effective to bring it, personally.

I do know that I had a friend bring her UK hairdryer over to the USA on holiday one year. She used it in the hotel and managed to blow the fuse for the entire floor.

I hate Dysons, I think they are an overpriced piece of #######, but I am the Vacuum Cleaner Destroyer, so maybe it's just me!

We're considering a container for shipping things so weight and/or size isn't really an issue. (But shipping is a whole 'nother thread)

Thank you everyone. VJ'ers rock!

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I bought an awesome Hoover (as in proper Hoover) here for about $100 which knocks the socks off my old Dyson.

[JeremyR 8]

I'm pretty sure you'd end up with a 'Super Dyson', wouldn't you? I'm no electrician but surely increased frequency = increased motor speed = increased suction = portable black hole

This page seems to cover a wide range of cross-voltage, cross-frequency appliance questions. The general consensus for motor-based 240V/50Hz appliances in the USA seems to range between 'It'll handle the frequency change automatically' to 'It'll probably work but not as efficiently' and 'it might burn out sooner'.

I'd forget about asking the manufacturer's helplines, they won't be drawn on such things. I couldn't even get a straight answer from Nintendo about whether a UK Gamecube would work in the USA with a standard US Gamecube power adaptor (it does, FWIW).