Whilst making a list of stuff not worth shipping to Canada, I got to some lamps and discovered they have light bulbs with a screw thread. A bit of research yielded a 27mm standard in Europe ('ES27') whereas the North American standard is 26mm ('ES26'); but there is plenty of indication that they are interchangeable. So, unless anyone here knows better, I'm going to ship our much-liked lamps and put 110V plugs on the leads.

Posted just in case anyone else is about to dispose of their favourite table lamp...

I shall wait for the 'boom'.

Just to clarify, I'll be changing the light bulbs too!

I'm sure whoever it is on the forum who goes on about CSA-rated appliances and insurance liability will be along in a minute with why this is not a good idea.

For all that it's mostly advice I'd take with a pinch of salt, you may want to consider changing the lampholders as well to CSA-approved fittings - it's pretty much as simple as rewiring the plug unless yours have a particularly complicated way of attaching the holder to the lampstand. That way there's no issue with the bulbs being slightly loose in the holders. Any DIY store will stock the right bits, and the only tool you'll need is likely a screwdriver. I changed out UK bayonet fittings to Canadian screw fittings on a couple of lamps we brought with us.

Insurance companies, we know what they are like, and the Canadian ones are no different.

If your place burns down due to an electrical fault, the adjuster will look through with a fine tooth comb any electrical irregularities. British-corded lamps that are plugged into a canadian supply (as a permanent/semi-permanent install) are an irregularity; that is all they would need to void your claim.

If all items carry the CSA moniker (Big C with SA written in between) then that's a different story. British power cords are usually made to conform to certain BS standards only.

something else about UK power cords.

1) The voltage is double, therefore the current is half for the same watt bulb. This means a 60W bulb in canada needs twice the current capability in the wire (this translates to the gauge of the wire).

2) UK 'leads' are protected with BS 1362 fuses, meaning a 3 amp wire can be used if protected by a 3 amp fuse. Canadian plugs (and DIY plugs) are not fused, meaning the wire MUST match the circuit (normally 15 Amp).

Perhaps it's just the shades you're attached to. Not literally of course.