220 volts
 

Apart from the question whether it makes sence out of a financial perspective, is anybody using or having practical experiences regarding european electrical devices in Canada, - with the apropriate converter from 220 to 110 volts?

Re: 220 volts
 

Some people do, but most dont bother. Kind of depends what devices you have in mind to, some simply wont work right anyway because of the 50 / 60Hz difference, some heavy wattage items would be very inefficient to run via transformer or simply draw more current that a domestic circuit will take. Most stuff will work OK.

Presumably you meant a converter from 110 to 220/240V

The wiki article on compatibility is a good place to start if you havent already read it.

Re: 220 volts
 

what about a european washing machinge? - if converted, would that work?

Re: 220 volts
 

What does the wiki say:rolleyes:

(although the bit about CSA approval and insurance is questionable at best)

Id have thought a washer would draw a fair number of Watts, especially if it either heats the water or has an intergral dryer feature too. What does the plate say?

50/60Hz?

Re: 220 volts
 

Did you read the Wiki article as suggested by Iaink? I thought there was a section in there about washing machines.

Re: 220 volts
 

Doesn't it spin the other way?

Re: 220 volts
 

Thats australian ones I think:p

Re: 220 volts
 

I think you would find the cost and size of a step up transformer for a washing machine would make it an unreasonable option. You may also find it very difficult to anyone to repair it if it goes wrong.

We use a transformer for a 230v tv that we brought with us, the transformer is very quiet and we haven't had any problems with it.

Re: 220 volts
 

rule of thumb......if it's got a motor or heater, then don't bother

Re: 220 volts
 

I use a whole load of garage and garden tools using the 220 volt supply I have in there. I also have a 3kw transformer which we use for all sorts of things (hairdryer, blender, drills etc). I think if you were using it all the time it would be inefficient, but if you use a drill, let's say, for 30 seconds at a time, I think it's cheaper than replacing all your UK power tools.

Re: 220 volts
 

Our stereo works fine off a 500w transformer.

Re: 220 volts
 

All driers are 240 volt could get an electrician to put a wire and socket in and could do the same with the garage you will have to check how many amps your box is could get an extra suppy put in but maybe expencive

Re: 220 volts
 

Hi - we are moving over soon and I am in the process of selling off all of our electrical items howvere I have a set of really nice (and very expensive) bedside lamps I would like to keep if possible. I think the bulbs are compatible - I can't remember the names at the moment - I think they are halogens and ideally I would just change the plug over however I was wondering if the wiring was compatible? I'm not electrically minded at all and I know current / voltage is different so would the wires be effected of is it just a case of swapping the plugs? thanks

Re: 220 volts
 

Can that actually be done to any existing canadian "code", or does a sparky risk loosing their license for doing that?


You have to consider that 240 in the UK is one line "neutral" (common to ground), one line 240ac compared to ground & neutral, with a second neutral "ground" line to ground for safety. Here 240 is made up of two lines that are 120ac to ground but 240V to each other, (AKA "floating ground"), so you lose one level of protection should something go wrong because you dont have a common neutral and ground.

Re: 220 volts
 

If they have a separate power supply, then you should be OK. My brother sent over a fish tank with expensive LED lights, the cord to the lights had a |. sort of connector on the end. I just swapped his UK three pin power transformer for an old one I had from an IKEA reading light and they were fine.

For regular lights you can usually swap the plug and the light bulb receptacle over without too much hassle.

Re: 220 volts
 

great stuff - many thanks :)

Re: 220 volts
 

You may have to change the bulbs for halogens, but I think the actual socket type is universal. Regular light bulbs on the other hand are screw in type here, rather than bayonette.

Re: 220 volts
 

I have just had a look and I am pretty sure it is either a halogen g4 or g9 fitting. it looks like they are readily available in Canada at the lower voltage so I'm hoping the fitting will be ok. Many thanks for your help on this :)

Re: 220 volts
 

What an interesting post, many thanks. We were planning on taking power tools, with a converter. Maybe 'everyone' should have a mental 'move' to Canada, and be forced to open that big corner cupboard where the George Foreman grill hangs out, in happy exile with the mandolin chopper and the youghurt maker! I promised I'd never clutter my house again ten years ago when I moved here, and I have eight days to produce that 'goods to follow' list and realise that I definitely broke that promise. Thank you for letting us know about the lights, we have a couple of really nice lamps that I didn't want to say goodbye to, and shall now list as 'to follow'.

Re: 220 volts
 

I'll take the mandolin off your hands, I'm sick of imprecise potato slices.

Re: 220 volts
 

Had an old (15 years) UK TV with Wi Xbox Xbox360 video player DVD player runing off a transformer in Canada for over 2 years now. There don't seem to be problems with them. The marginal cost of shipping these items was virtually zero so it was worth bringing them and buying a transformer to save the cost of replacements.

Re: 220 volts
 

roughly how much would a transformer cost Jim?

I was going to bring the TV and DVD player as they are multi region and multi voltage but wasn;t so sure on the stereo equipment, Wii and Dyson. Obviously I'd rather bring them then sell it and buy new when we arrive? Thanks

Re: 220 volts
 

This site http://www.voltageconverters.com/vol...onverters.html gives you a good idea of pricing.

Bring the TV, DVD and Wii.

Ditch the Dyson - stuff with motors and/or heaters tends not to work well through a transformer: motors because of the change from 50Hz to 60Hz; heaters because they draw a lot of power and therefore need a big, expensive transformer.

For the stereo, if it's high-end and reasoanbly valuable, bring it (but remember, if there's a turntable it will need adjusting - either with a replacement capstan or through a switch if it has one - to deal with the change in frequency). If it's a run-of-the-mill unit it's probably not worth the hassle and expense of running lossy transformers. If you're bringing a container full of stuff anyway, my advice would be to throw it in and work it out when you get here. Think on this: If it's worth enough to contemplate selling second-hand in the UK, it's probably worth keeping. If not, chucking it out here will be no greater loss than chucking it out there.

Re: 220 volts
 

Our Dyson works just fine on a regular 3kw transformer (cost $129 for the transformer - and we use it for lots of different things). A Dyson over here costs about $500!

I have no idea if it is working efficiently or to full capacity, but the carpets are as clean after using it as when we used it in the UK. The only thing I haven't been able to get working is a 15 ish year old little stereo out of my old office. All my other amps and even music equipment works just fine (with a transformer).