Do electrical items from Canada work in the UK
Jan 30th 2009 | 12:05 am
#16
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,227
From: Hong Kong, mostly.
Re: Do electrical items from Canada work in the UK
There is an extensive thread on what works and what doesn't on the US expats in the UK board. Since many Canadian items are similar to US electronics I thought it might be helpful.
http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=12567.0
http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=12567.0
Jan 30th 2009 | 3:41 am
#17
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 40
From: The pretty Cheshire countryside
Re: Do electrical items from Canada work in the UK
I'll get my hub to answer the question about transformers when he comes in from work as he sorted them out.
What I do know is that we paid around 50 pounds for each.
Also, I think I'm right in saying that you pay more for one with more Ummmph, depending on what you are using them for.
Not exactly a technical explanation, but hub'll fill you in properly later
What I do know is that we paid around 50 pounds for each.
Also, I think I'm right in saying that you pay more for one with more Ummmph, depending on what you are using them for.
Not exactly a technical explanation, but hub'll fill you in properly later
Jan 30th 2009 | 5:36 am
#18
Sloopy Frickenbutt
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,225
From: Its good ere Honest........
Re: Do electrical items from Canada work in the UK
This is like the ones we have....... http://www.choiceful.com/choiceful-i...With-Lead.html Ours is a different model number, i assume this one is the latest version.
Jan 30th 2009 | 6:21 am
#19
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 40
From: The pretty Cheshire countryside
Re: Do electrical items from Canada work in the UK
Hi there, Mr R2D2 here for the technical stuff! Many electrical items are set up for dual voltage, it makes sense for the manufacturer's rather than having to make products for specific markets. If you look on the back of any appliance, it will usually state the input voltage, if it's dual it will say 110 to 240v.
Certainly most computers, rechargable cameras, keyboards, games etc (anything that has a power adaptor on the power lead) are usually OK. Just buy a plug adaptor from Curry's for about 8 quid and away you go! Or you could change the plug, like we did on our lamps.
TV's are a bit different, because they draw quite a large amount of power and are usually set at the voltage of the country where you buy them. Apparently modern flat screen TV's have quite a 'surge' when you switch them on, so you need to be sure that your transformer is up to the job. The link that Sans posted above, would not be up to the job for a big screen TV.
I bought ours from BestStuff UK
http://www.beststuff.co.uk/voltage_conversion.htm
As Mrs R2D2 said, about 50 quid each for the 500 watt units gives you plenty of safety margin (our TV draws just under 200 watts). They do humm a bit (not smell, I mean actual humm), but you get used to it and it's alot cheaper than a new TV! I phoned BestStuff for advice, very helpful, they suggested plenty of margin if it's for something that will be on for several hours at a time, which it is now we've got decent TV programmes to watch again (he he!).
Finally, I was concerned that our NTSC (North American) format TV wouldn't work here, as the UK is on PAL format. But, I went into the TV menu, selected PAL on the colour format options and bingo, perfect picture! Check if your TV has this option (ours is a Sharp Aquos).
Hope this helps.
Certainly most computers, rechargable cameras, keyboards, games etc (anything that has a power adaptor on the power lead) are usually OK. Just buy a plug adaptor from Curry's for about 8 quid and away you go! Or you could change the plug, like we did on our lamps.
TV's are a bit different, because they draw quite a large amount of power and are usually set at the voltage of the country where you buy them. Apparently modern flat screen TV's have quite a 'surge' when you switch them on, so you need to be sure that your transformer is up to the job. The link that Sans posted above, would not be up to the job for a big screen TV.
I bought ours from BestStuff UK
http://www.beststuff.co.uk/voltage_conversion.htm
As Mrs R2D2 said, about 50 quid each for the 500 watt units gives you plenty of safety margin (our TV draws just under 200 watts). They do humm a bit (not smell, I mean actual humm), but you get used to it and it's alot cheaper than a new TV! I phoned BestStuff for advice, very helpful, they suggested plenty of margin if it's for something that will be on for several hours at a time, which it is now we've got decent TV programmes to watch again (he he!).
Finally, I was concerned that our NTSC (North American) format TV wouldn't work here, as the UK is on PAL format. But, I went into the TV menu, selected PAL on the colour format options and bingo, perfect picture! Check if your TV has this option (ours is a Sharp Aquos).
Hope this helps.
Jan 30th 2009 | 7:59 am
#20
Sloopy Frickenbutt
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,225
From: Its good ere Honest........
Re: Do electrical items from Canada work in the UK
Hi there, Mr R2D2 here for the technical stuff! Many electrical items are set up for dual voltage, it makes sense for the manufacturer's rather than having to make products for specific markets. If you look on the back of any appliance, it will usually state the input voltage, if it's dual it will say 110 to 240v.
Certainly most computers, rechargable cameras, keyboards, games etc (anything that has a power adaptor on the power lead) are usually OK. Just buy a plug adaptor from Curry's for about 8 quid and away you go! Or you could change the plug, like we did on our lamps.
TV's are a bit different, because they draw quite a large amount of power and are usually set at the voltage of the country where you buy them. Apparently modern flat screen TV's have quite a 'surge' when you switch them on, so you need to be sure that your transformer is up to the job. The link that Sans posted above, would not be up to the job for a big screen TV.
I bought ours from BestStuff UK
http://www.beststuff.co.uk/voltage_conversion.htm
As Mrs R2D2 said, about 50 quid each for the 500 watt units gives you plenty of safety margin (our TV draws just under 200 watts). They do humm a bit (not smell, I mean actual humm), but you get used to it and it's alot cheaper than a new TV! I phoned BestStuff for advice, very helpful, they suggested plenty of margin if it's for something that will be on for several hours at a time, which it is now we've got decent TV programmes to watch again (he he!).
Finally, I was concerned that our NTSC (North American) format TV wouldn't work here, as the UK is on PAL format. But, I went into the TV menu, selected PAL on the colour format options and bingo, perfect picture! Check if your TV has this option (ours is a Sharp Aquos).
Hope this helps.
Certainly most computers, rechargable cameras, keyboards, games etc (anything that has a power adaptor on the power lead) are usually OK. Just buy a plug adaptor from Curry's for about 8 quid and away you go! Or you could change the plug, like we did on our lamps.
TV's are a bit different, because they draw quite a large amount of power and are usually set at the voltage of the country where you buy them. Apparently modern flat screen TV's have quite a 'surge' when you switch them on, so you need to be sure that your transformer is up to the job. The link that Sans posted above, would not be up to the job for a big screen TV.
I bought ours from BestStuff UK
http://www.beststuff.co.uk/voltage_conversion.htm
As Mrs R2D2 said, about 50 quid each for the 500 watt units gives you plenty of safety margin (our TV draws just under 200 watts). They do humm a bit (not smell, I mean actual humm), but you get used to it and it's alot cheaper than a new TV! I phoned BestStuff for advice, very helpful, they suggested plenty of margin if it's for something that will be on for several hours at a time, which it is now we've got decent TV programmes to watch again (he he!).
Finally, I was concerned that our NTSC (North American) format TV wouldn't work here, as the UK is on PAL format. But, I went into the TV menu, selected PAL on the colour format options and bingo, perfect picture! Check if your TV has this option (ours is a Sharp Aquos).
Hope this helps.
even i understood that...........The Tacima converter we have is 300w a small black box like the one in the link......But i couldn't find the exact same one on the net....and not sure where hubby got ours from. I carn't say i've heard it singing tho
Jan 30th 2009 | 8:41 am
#22
Sloopy Frickenbutt
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,225
From: Its good ere Honest........
