SchnookoLoly

I think it depends on the specific appliance.

Really large kitchen appliances - don't bring.

Smaller kitchen appliances - up to you. If you are fine to deal with a transformer, then you can make your stuff work, like others have said, and just change over to Canadian stuff as required. We decided not to faff with having a transformer in the kitchen. Others are fine with it.

Televisions - depends what you're plugging into it. If it's just an HDMI cable, probably fine. If it's SCART/actual cable connections, you may run into issues.

Small bathroom appliances - don't bring over. Stuff like your blow-dryer or your iron probably won't work because they can't draw enough power. And it's not expensive to replace that stuff.

Portable electronics (cell phones, laptop, desktop, etc) - Most of those sorts of things will work with either voltage. Laptops, for example, auto-detect the voltage and adjust as required. Your desktop computer probably has a switch in the power unit to tell it what voltage it's at (ours did).

the blairs

This is helpful ^^^

The only electrical items i would hope to bring are...
tvs with HDMI cables
Nespresso/juicer for the kitchen
Electric piano

so all of these 'should' work by plugging them in to a transformer and plugging the transformer into the wall?

rivingtonpike

Yup. They'll work fine. So will garage tools if you use a big enough trAnsformer

Oakvillian

Yes, absolutely. The electric piano (depending on model) may not even need a transformer; some are dual-voltage.

My only caveat would be for the juicer. You mentioned up-thread that this runs at 1300W or something? You'll need to size a transformer to cope with that power, plus a bit extra for the start-up current draw. A suitable transformer will be large, heavy and expensive. I would seriously consider selling the juicer and buying one here designed for this market.

But for the TVs, coffee pod thing, and piano, I would certainly bring them if there's a container coming anyway and there's room to pack them well and fit them in. Large flat-screen TVs do need to be very well protected for transport - the original carton with styrofoam inserts, or a wooden crate. Your shippers will probably advise on their preferred option.

the blairs

Thank you!! Clarification after all 😉
I shall pack and bring with me. Lots to pay out for already without scraping pennies for what we have and shelling out thousands to replace it!
I shall not bother with the juicer though, based on your advice.

Thanks again
Lyndsey x

Pizzawheel

Sorry for the confusion. As an electrical engineer that's worked over Africa I'm very used to having to jury-rig stuff out of necessity. On the other hand bringing stuff out of Nigeria was never a serious option and I appreciate that once you've got the container it makes sense to fill it. We came here with 8 suitcases.

I didn't actually know you could get plug and play step up units like that Amazon one. If you're taking that approach you should be fine- just get your watts right. I was assuming you'd be building something from Maplin (Sayal here) without knowing what you're doing.

I'd suggest you forget trying to use the Canadian 240- unless you get a local electrician to rig something for you on the side. It's not a question of whether the appliance will work, it's the risk of shock/ fire for plugging something in that is not intended for that electrical supply. You can see Rivington an my debate on this in another thread when I pondered using the 240 to get a UK soldering iron going...

Last comment- Canada is all about sales, so bringing UK electronics over makes sense as you will get gouged if you have to buy stuff in the first week or so. If you sign up to Canadian Tire you can put a sale watch on items, and it emails you when your item comes up for sale- often 40-60% discount. That's how I answered my soldering iron dilemma for $8!


cheers

the blairs

:thumb up: Thanks for the Canadian Tire sale info - I'm on it! :thumb up:

No worries over the rewiring stuff - I know you only had my best interests at heart

Lyndsey x