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-   -   UK -Canada voltage conversion (https://britishexpats.com/forum/canada-56/uk-canada-voltage-conversion-711851/)

Hana08 Apr 2nd 2011 5:02 am

UK -Canada voltage conversion
 
I plan to move to Canada this summer and was hoping to bring my plasma TV with me. I know that that Canada operates on a lower voltage to that of the UK and thought that purchasing a voltage converter would solve the problem, but then someone said to me that UK bought televisions broadcast on a different system to Canadian television and as my TV has a UK tuner it's unlikely that it will be able to receive Canadian broadcasts.

Anyone encountered similar issues? Any advice?

Thanks

H

BTJ Apr 2nd 2011 5:04 am

Re: UK -Canada voltage conversion
 
Cable or Satellite should be fine through HDMI. Over-the-Air, probably won't be though. Also have a look on the back of the TV, it may display 100-240V, in which case you just need to change the plug to a North American one.

james.mc Apr 2nd 2011 5:40 am

Re: UK -Canada voltage conversion
 
With a UK purchased TV in Canada you won't be able to receive terrestrial TV channels through a normal TV antenna.

There is a lot of, recently updated, information in the Canada Wiki about this. It should give you all you need.

See: Compatability of Goods-Canada - Entertainment systems -TV's

dave2003 Apr 2nd 2011 6:39 am

Re: UK -Canada voltage conversion
 
3 phase a.c. power generated in the U.K. has a frequency of 50 cycles per second. So, while some U.K. bought appliances may work in Canada, appliances with motors or pulleys may not have optimal performance in a 60 cycles per second (Canada) power source. Best check with O.E.M.

JB0591 Apr 2nd 2011 9:08 am

Re: UK -Canada voltage conversion
 

Originally Posted by dave2003 (Post 9281446)
3 phase a.c. power generated in the U.K. has a frequency of 50 cycles per second. So, while some U.K. bought appliances may work in Canada, appliances with motors or pulleys may not have optimal performance in a 60 cycles per second (Canada) power source. Best check with O.E.M.

dont confuse the OP, she is only talking about a TV.

To OP, check out the Wiki. Then check your TV, if needed post the full part number and we can check the specification for you.

Cheers

JB

Alan2005 Apr 2nd 2011 9:30 am

Re: UK -Canada voltage conversion
 

Originally Posted by dave2003 (Post 9281446)
3 phase a.c. power generated in the U.K. has a frequency of 50 cycles per second. So, while some U.K. bought appliances may work in Canada, appliances with motors or pulleys may not have optimal performance in a 60 cycles per second (Canada) power source. Best check with O.E.M.

I'm guessing you are a sparky as 3 phase a.c. power sounds very clever. However, domestic supply in the UK is 230V/50hz single phase - you can tell this cos it's only got one live wire, not three.

JB0591 Apr 2nd 2011 9:38 am

Re: UK -Canada voltage conversion
 

Originally Posted by Alan2005 (Post 9281662)
I'm guessing you are a sparky as 3 phase a.c. power sounds very clever. However, domestic supply in the UK is 230V/50hz single phase - you can tell this cos it's only got one live wire, not three.

I am waiting for someone to point out that Tumble Dryers in Canada are actually run at 220 V AC.

Welsh Tony Apr 2nd 2011 10:32 am

Re: UK -Canada voltage conversion
 

Originally Posted by JB0591 (Post 9281671)
I am waiting for someone to point out that Tumble Dryers in Canada are actually run at 220 V AC.

some are 208vac

james.mc Apr 2nd 2011 11:17 am

Re: UK -Canada voltage conversion
 

Originally Posted by Welsh Tony (Post 9281743)
some are 208vac

Which is almost academic, as it's the frequency that has the greater influence on equipment over small differences between voltage and frequency.

JB0591 Apr 2nd 2011 11:23 am

Re: UK -Canada voltage conversion
 

Originally Posted by james.mc (Post 9281797)
Which is almost academic, as it's the frequency that has the greater influence on equipment over small differences between voltage and frequency.

Yep, and power distribution/generation normally has a 10% variance, thats why there was little noticable difference when the UK went from 240 to 230 V AC.

Welsh Tony Apr 2nd 2011 11:26 am

Re: UK -Canada voltage conversion
 

Originally Posted by JB0591 (Post 9281805)
Yep, and power distribution/generation normally has a 10% variance, thats why there was little noticable difference when the UK went from 240 to 230 V AC.

apart from your leky bill went up 5%!!

cargomatic Apr 2nd 2011 1:50 pm

Re: UK -Canada voltage conversion
 
A plasma TV will work fine and im sure you will be having satellite TV so no worries on the signal either.

Just to complicate things a little. FYI all Canadian homes electrical supply into the house is 240V anyway, give or take so like myself you can have some Canadian 240v plug sockets fitted if you wanted on there own circuit. I did it to power all my power tools I brought, you just have to change the plugs on your power tools to Canadian 240v plugs, and just so you cant put a 110v item into that socket and visa versa, the two live pins go horizontal instead of vertical, that’s how you tell the difference. Not many people know about them in less you are an ex electrician like me, but there is no need to go to all that trouble just for the odd thing, as most will work on 110v anyway

Alan2005 Apr 2nd 2011 1:50 pm

Re: UK -Canada voltage conversion
 

Originally Posted by Welsh Tony (Post 9281807)
apart from your leky bill went up 5%!!

But your kettle boils 5% quicker... probably

JB0591 Apr 2nd 2011 2:59 pm

Re: UK -Canada voltage conversion
 

Originally Posted by cargomatic (Post 9281931)
A plasma TV will work fine and im sure you will be having satellite TV so no worries on the signal either.

Just to complicate things a little. FYI all Canadian homes electrical supply into the house is 240V anyway, give or take so like myself you can have some Canadian 240v plug sockets fitted if you wanted on there own circuit. I did it to power all my power tools I brought, you just have to change the plugs on your power tools to Canadian 240v plugs, and just so you cant put a 110v item into that socket and visa versa, the two live pins go horizontal instead of vertical, that’s how you tell the difference. Not many people know about them in less you are an ex electrician like me, but there is no need to go to all that trouble just for the odd thing, as most will work on 110v anyway

3-wire single-phase...nice

We were old school visa applicants, years of waiting, so we did not get the big LCD/LED/Plasma TV etc....what little electricals we did bring over were all brought with the spec of 110 - 230 V 50/60 Hz NTSC/PAL (where relevant) so no problems.


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