worth taking electricals?
 

Hi , as we are packing, I was wondering if it is at all worth it to take electrical items across, some I am hesitant to sell, as I assume it may be expensive to repurchase in Canada(eg Wii sports for my kids,) .
I know the sockets are different but just wondering what everyone else did?

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

Hope this helps
In the uk voltager is 230-240 at 50 hertz
canada is 120-260 at 60 hertz (residential/domestic) if you want to run a small appliance then you will need a inverter.

what you may find is a hair dryer will run slower in canada then in the uk.

anything big like a wash machine or microwave is best to get out there.

All the best

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

hey thanks guys for theprompt reponse.

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

Vash...I don't know but...I'm packing lots of electricals anyway! I thought that wiis are OK, I know nintendos are. With lots of things like the veggie steamer, and a host of electric gadgets, I couldn't sell them so I may as well pack them and replace them when they crater, using a voltage plug thingy. I am not taking things with a motor or heating element, such as the electric kettle or fan, as it seem to be those that won't be happy. Someone on here gave me the advice that 'if it isn't nailed down take it with you' and I appear to be following their words to the letter. Best of luck.

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

I have a lot of garage tools as I like to restore cars, or at least make them look less crap than when I bought them, lol.

I have just bought a 240V petrol generator (brand new very good deal), which I can run my UK tools from. Not such a crazy idea considering petrol is cheaper over there ;)

Always wanted one for the apocalypse anyway, so we're good to go :eek:

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

Yes Dave n Ailsa, OH is taking all his garage tools, as following another thread on here, we are going to get an electrician to install a 240v line in the garage.

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

OP...sell the lot, no point bringing stuff over. Between Lowes, Home Depot and Crappy tire, there is always crazy deals every week

For example this past weekend, a Ryobi 18v drill and impact driver was selling for $25 after coupon use

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

Consider this:

Any item with an electrical motor installed is potentially a fire hazard (or prone to components or wires burning out due to over-heating), when run on a voltage and frequency it was not designed for.

For example, with an electric drill which is designed to operate on 240v at 50hz, if it is running from 110v/60Hz, the following changes will occur:

• It will draw double the amps
• The motor will be powered on 60 positive alternations, instead of 50

The problem with it drawing double amps means more heat will generate caused by the resistance/gauge of the wire used in the motor windings and any of the original wires that connect the drill to the power supply.

The change in frequency will make the motor run more quickly, by about 20%, which again will put more heat stress on the wiring.

V/hz ratio should also be considered. Again, with the example drill rated at 240/50hz, its v/hz rating is 4.8v/hz. Ideally this number should be matched exactly when running the motor on a different voltage and a different frequency.

110/60hz= 1.84v/hz
240/60hz= 4v/hz

Ideally the v/hz ratio should match (original specification vs 110v modification) but those calculations of 1.84v/hz and 4v/hz do not match 4.8v/hz. If the ratio is lower than the original then there could be loss of torque, if it is higher than the original specification then more heating will occur.

So, theory aside, question if it's worth taking the risk?

Even if you use an inverter (which is a good idea, to bring a 12v dc -> 240v 50hz inverter with you, rated with sufficient power to drive your tool) there is a chance that, if it is a 'modified sine wave' inverter, it could damage any sensitive equipment or components you connect to it.

But as a solution (which is not very portable), a 110v/60hz battery charger connected to a deep cycle 12v battery connected to a 240v/50hz inverter could allow your UK tools to run properly. Also, having a fully charged deep cycle battery lying around could make you a very happy camper in the event of a power outage.

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

you can pick up a Canadian Wii with sports for less than $100..go for a 2nd hand one and then its more like $50.

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

That was me! I think I also said "if it's not nailed down - bring it". We have 220-240 volts in our grarage. I have put the appropriate 30 amp plug on a heavy duty 4 way UK plug adaptor and I can run all my power tools, jet washer etc from it. I was very pleasantly surprised how many UK electrical items have worked fine in Canada. We also use a few voltage converters for some things - like my wife's hair dryer and some kitchen items. The replacement cost of smething like a food processor alone makes the voltage converter worthwhile. As things wear out we will, of course, replace them with 110v Canadian versions, but why go to the HUGE expense of replacing things when you don't need to?

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

If you are bringing a container, bring it anyway, all those $100 here and there add up fast. If not, read the wiki article on compatibility.;)

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Compat...f_Goods-Canada
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Should...rical_goods%3F

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

I bought everything other than white goods. There's four categories to think of:

1. stuff that's dual voltage (e.g. most computer kit and peripherals). All you need for these are plug convertors or a new power lead (with a Canadian plug on it of course).

2. stuff that's dual hertz but only works at 230V (it'll say something like 230v 50/60hz on the back). For these a step-up transformer is needed.

3. stuff that's 230V 50Hz. This may or may not work properly using a step-up transformer. Things with AC electric motors will run quicker which may put them in danger of burn-out and things that rely on the hz for timing (e.g. older electric clocks, some ice cream makers, etc) will just not work correctly as they'll think time is running faster than it actually is.

4. not exactly a separate category but stuff that runs on DC and has a separate external transformer. Apply 1-3 or, alternatively, chuck the transformer and buy a new one locally.

Whatever you do though, buy your step-up transformers and plug convertors in bulk, they're way cheaper that way. E.g.

http://www.voltageconverters.com/

On point 3, I've been running my beans to cup high end espresso coffee maker which says it's 230V 50Hz only quite happily for nearly 2 years on a step-up transformer. No sign so far of it exploding killing hundreds.

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

On point 3, I've been running my beans to cup high end espresso coffee maker which says it's 230V 50Hz only quite happily for nearly 2 years on a step-up transformer. No sign so far of it exploding killing hundreds.

Same here. We have a high-end counter-top ice cream maker that we use for research and that works absolutely fine with a transformer.

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

Point 1. Most people here know bugger all about electrical items
Point 2. Most people on here will give advice on stuff they know very little about
Point 3. If in doubt don't do it
point 4. Read up on the topic don't ask on a forum that doesn't cover that topic



If its say 110v/240v 50/60hz then yes bring it

if it doesn't, if you know what you are doing with electrcial stuff it may be worth bringing and maybe not

Don't bring white goods, It ain't worth it

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

My hairdryer worked but I can blow harder than that! (not at the back of my own head admittedly!) ditched it and got one for $5 from the thrift store.
New hand blender for baby food $10, kettle $10, microwave on special at walmart. Etc small stuff easily replaced. And renting anyway so fridge/ freezer/washer/dryer etc included.
I left the lot behind.
New computer cables for laptop from eBay and new power supply units for desktop from local computer shop.

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

Generally anything with a motor or heating element wont work correctly in Canada. I wouldn't buy an inverter; why go 12v to 240v when you can use a transformer, most things are not frequency sensitive ( unless it has a motor). A cheap modified sine wave inverter is no good for inductive loads anyway.

I'd see what you need a transformer for, write down the current/Watts info from the applience label and scour the internet to see how much a 110/240 transformer is going to cost or to have a single phase 240v supply installed.

When I emigrate I intend to take only the items that will work out the box.

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

Not sure what your source is for this information but modified sine wave inverters are perfectly good for inductive loads such as motors :confused:

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

That really isn't born out by experience. I've used the following with no problem (via a step up transformer):

- coffee maker
- electric whisk
- food processor(s)
- hair dryer
- various convection heaters

No doubt the extra hertz will be placing more load on some of them but, after 2 years without trouble, you have to assume it's within the design tolerance of most items.

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

You have no idea what your talking about !!

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

Some things wont work on an invertor because of the square nature of the AC generated, but they are few and far between. Things like electric blankets that use a simple electronic controlled (like a dimmer switch triac) to control the heat cycle tend to get overwhelmed, and although the light comes on and blinks, the blanket itself doesnt heat up.

But as a general rule, if you are shipping a container with furnature, you may as well fill it.

If you are travelling light, then sell up and just bring money to get replacements for stuff. Kijiji and the countless yard sales are good for that, no need to buy new.

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

But if it was purely a resistive system that was controlled by a bi-metallic strip you wouldn't need an inverter or a transformer, it would actually function on 110v… just like a kettle will work but it’d just be slower

Not that I would recommend using an electric blanket outside of its specified operating range

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

The items that spring to mind are those that depend on converting the sinusoidal frequency into a clock pulse used in timing circuits.

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

Its the triac ones that chop up the AC signal to control the load to the heating elements that cant cope with a square wave... post edited...

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

Ah, that makes sense.

If it's a simple to modify circuit the trac could be replaced with a diode (so the thing would operate on 50% power and not be adjustable).

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

My guess is that as the voltage switching from full +120 to full -120 ever few mSec it simply doesnt have time to heat up. Either that or the triac controller gets fried by the sudden 240V in 0ms swings. just a guess though, Im not that sort of engineer.

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

As far as I remember the triac will switch on upto 90 degrees into the alternation based on the input at the gate, then remain on until 180 degrees (the end of the alternation). So basically giving variable control between half power and full power.

So my guess is it's either not switching on at all or it's fried.

Loving the new signature btw :rofl:

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

Im glad:) People read so much into them:blink:

Re: worth taking electricals?
 

All I can tell you is that almost everything we brought with us works fine - either on the regular 110v or with a transformer.