pacific21

Hi guys,

I'm new to this site and I just wanted to shout out a big HI to all the members.

I will be moving to Barbados sometime next year. I work for BT on their IT side of the business. I have accumulated a fair degree of computer equipment over the years all of which I've built and maintained myself and possess other largish electrical items such as LCD TV's that I use as monitors for my machines. I would like to take them over with me but not sure whether 240V 50hertz power supply is available in the island.

I've recently come back from holiday there and did some asking around and have been getting all kinds of answers. The responses have been leaning more in the way of 'yes' it is available so long as its 50Hz but then I got scared when I was advised by others that No, I would need to install step up transformers on everything??

Can someone tell me for certain?

Your help is much appreciated.

Cheers

zanne

Hi, I was told the other day that the power here runs at 240v, but 40hz instead of 50. My neighbor told me that the difference seems to effect his alarm clock.

Hope this helps!

Zanne

pacific21

Thanks Zanne, that does help. Now I just need to confirm if its 40 Hz or 50Hz ! If its 40 my stuff still won't run correctly.

zanne

Why not call B L&P and ask them, here is the number: 246 436 1800 or maybe an electrician Williams Electrical: 246 425 6000

Good luck!

Belinda1974

HI,

my husband just told me that you can get 50Hz here, no problem with your stuff!

Peazle

The frequency is definitely 50Hz. If you want to run 220-240V appliances you will either need transformers (expensive for more powerful ones) or arrange a combined 110v/220v supply from Barbados Light & Power if that is still available (someone told us that that option may be being phased out)

Belinda1974

We rent a house where they are converting the 110 to 220V, so it seems not to be a problem or expensive.

raerai

Hi, I have had an apartment in Bim for 20 years and we use 240 stuff. What you do is get an electrician to wire an additional 240 volt circuit from the fuse board which terminates in some 13 amp sockets. You can then work your UK stuff from this. There seems to be 240 volts arriving at the fuse board which is reduced for normal 110 volt (local type) sockets. Hope this helps

raerai

Another thought, UK TV wont work in BIM they are on the US system.

_Tropical_11th

This is true... UK uses the "PAL" standard. Barbados is "NTSC" like the US.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PAL
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTSC

Also here's the site for Barbados Light & Power.
http://www.blpc.com.bb/