We have applied for immigration but obviously have along wait which we accept. However so that we do not have to put our life on hold while waiting does anybody have any information regarding importing electrical goods.

We are aware that Canada operates a 110v system compared to Britains 240v and that the TV signal is different but can we import and work sucessfully the following items.

Competer Desktop and laptop.
X Box/playstation if we took a british TV to just use as a monitor

Hairdryers, razors ect.

We do not plan to import any large items just small stuff

Any help and guidance appreciated.

Yes you can..

Try a search on here to get more details , there's a few tricks to doing this...

you need to check mainly for 50Hz/60hz on the back of your equipement.. otherwise it might not work...

You can and do get 220v in your house and you can use it with some UK applicances..

Although if your house burns down you may find the insurance company strangely reluctant to pay out.

There may be a little red slide switch on the back of your PC near where the power lead plugs in ... this switches from 240V to 110V.

I saw what happened when someone plugged a server into UK power when the power supply switch is set to 110V ... he was also touching the internal metal chassis at the time ... when the power setting is correct, it isn't normally live.

If it isn't switchable, a new 110V PSU will be under $100 ... it doesn't take a genius to fit one, an A+ PC guru at Futureshop should be able to do it in under 10 minutes ... but I don't know what they'll bill you to do it.

For the laptop - I went to Lunn Poly and got a few travel adapters ... my UK Tosh laptop works just fine.

Most of my computers have the 110/220v 50/60hz PSU units so will just needed a plug/cable change.

and I currently run a UK 100hz TV on a dedicated 50hz PSU. (home built) along with a video recorder (NTSC/Pal) and a multi region DVD.

I run a kettle on 110v slow but passable.. will soon run regularly on 220v (from cooker circuit)

have run a Dyson on 110v slower not as powerful but works...as above for 220v
(as good as my North American vacuum at 60% power)

I have a transformer (1000watt) for my power tools all of which fall in the 300-400watt range the 60hz cycle doesn't bother the motors.

I currently run a range of HiFi equipment on the 110v range , again transformer worked fine but will be either changing the internal transformers or moving to a 220v circuit..


have adapted at least four lamps to take screw in fiitings