davyrowland

Hi,

I moved over to the US a year ago, brought my TV, Sterio, Kettle, Microwave etc with me, and bought a few inexpensive transformers to allow my 240V appliances to run on the US 110v system

Everything works ok provided the transformer you buy has sufficient Watts to power the appliances.

My washing machine however, that we only just tried to get working as we moved into an appartment without one, just doesnt work. It runs at 2100W, and I have a 3000W transformer, but it reports an error.

Is there something specail about washing machines?

fatbrit

3000 W on a 110V system would draw nearly 30 amps! Not a hope in hell on a standard domestic wiring -- you'd blow the bloody box. I really don't know what you were thinking! Forget it and buy a US washer.

davyrowland

well, the washer runs at 2100W, so its not quite so bad.

Im all for buying a new washer, its just that it was a wedding present from my wife parents, so she didnt want to get rid of it.

Tks for advice though

penguinsix

Don't some washer 'rooms' have 220v outlets and wiring? Could it work if you had a 220v setup in your wash room?

davyrowland

We do have a big black 3 prong plug socket in the washing room. We just bough a tumble dryer though, and it came with a big fat black plug that needs to be wired into the dryer... I presume the dryer takes this socket. Is that the 240V outlet you are refering to?

fatbrit

The 220 is in reality 2 x 110, half a cycle out of phase.

davyrowland

One of my mates also mentioned that the Hz on the US system are different from UK & Europe, and so a transformer alone would not be enough for something like a washing machine.

Fatbrit... you sound like you know what you are talking about. You think the only solution is to buy a US Washing machine?

Cheers, Davy

md95065

More importantly this means that both sides of a US 220 volt domestic supply are nominally 110 volts from ground, and equipment that uses this type of supply should use double pole switches to isolate it from both sides of the supply when it is turned off.

I would not advise connecting a 240 volt UK appliance to a US 220 volt supply unless you really know what you are doing.

I am afraid that, because he had to ask in the first place, the original poster does not fall into that category and therefore should not attempt this.

davyrowland

I'll take your advice.... Im not an electrician and dont want to wreck my house or my body... so wont connect something like this up.

Thanks, Davy

fatbrit

The 10 HZ difference in the frequency of the AC will probably not be a catastrophe but will cause things such as AC motors to run less efficiently. With some clever wiring and an expensive transformer, you could get it to work. But it ISN'T worth it. Dump it and buy a US model.