Moving UK to USA - are there any electricals we can bring?
Feb 10th 2011, 11:14 pm
#62
BE Commentator
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 8,420
Re: Moving UK to USA - are there any electricals we can bring?
An item unique to the UK is the "ring circuit." This saves wire, but it is actually more dangerous -- it is the reason that UK plugs and outlets are the humongoous fused and switched creatures that they are. In contrast, the plugs and outlets used here in the US are more dangerous but the circuitry is generally safer -- pick your poison, I guess.
There has been mention of electric kettles, a general rule that is the one appliance that you will probably not like the 120v versions.
If you or DH like to fiddle with the installed wiring, it pays to remember that wiring color scheme is quite different -- in the US, the BLACK wire is LIVE. One should kill the circuit anyways at the main box -- but not everyone does so.
BTW, many of the differences are historical legacies. One place you will see this in the tariff system for mobile phone service -- and I will not get into that one.
Feb 11th 2011, 7:13 am
#63
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 44
Re: Moving UK to USA - are there any electricals we can bring?
FWIW, there are other differences besides the voltage and frequency. The North American system is what is called "split phase" -- which has the habit of using more wire. So, although it is possible to get a 220v circuit, it is by a different wiring method. Also, items that run on 220v will be partially 220v and partially 110v. So, even of one sets up a US 220v circuit, a European 220v item may not like it.
An item unique to the UK is the "ring circuit." This saves wire, but it is actually more dangerous -- it is the reason that UK plugs and outlets are the humongoous fused and switched creatures that they are. In contrast, the plugs and outlets used here in the US are more dangerous but the circuitry is generally safer -- pick your poison, I guess.
There has been mention of electric kettles, a general rule that is the one appliance that you will probably not like the 120v versions.
If you or DH like to fiddle with the installed wiring, it pays to remember that wiring color scheme is quite different -- in the US, the BLACK wire is LIVE. One should kill the circuit anyways at the main box -- but not everyone does so.
BTW, many of the differences are historical legacies. One place you will see this in the tariff system for mobile phone service -- and I will not get into that one.
An item unique to the UK is the "ring circuit." This saves wire, but it is actually more dangerous -- it is the reason that UK plugs and outlets are the humongoous fused and switched creatures that they are. In contrast, the plugs and outlets used here in the US are more dangerous but the circuitry is generally safer -- pick your poison, I guess.
There has been mention of electric kettles, a general rule that is the one appliance that you will probably not like the 120v versions.
If you or DH like to fiddle with the installed wiring, it pays to remember that wiring color scheme is quite different -- in the US, the BLACK wire is LIVE. One should kill the circuit anyways at the main box -- but not everyone does so.
BTW, many of the differences are historical legacies. One place you will see this in the tariff system for mobile phone service -- and I will not get into that one.
Feb 11th 2011, 12:54 pm
#64
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 1,544
Re: Moving UK to USA - are there any electricals we can bring?
About buying a new vacuum, I would recommend getting a Miele like this one or similar, I just bought one and it's hands down the best vacuum I've ever had.
I've had several upright style ones through the years, including a rather groovy pink and purple Dyson. While it looked good it was rather cumbersome to use and did not live up to the hype, I needed to replace the hose which had torn after very little use. After coming here I bought a couple of cheap vacuums at around $100, they were pretty useless.
Then I sucked it up and spent $400 on a Miele canister, I LOVE it!
it's unbelievably light and so not a problem to carry up and down the stairs.
I've had several upright style ones through the years, including a rather groovy pink and purple Dyson. While it looked good it was rather cumbersome to use and did not live up to the hype, I needed to replace the hose which had torn after very little use. After coming here I bought a couple of cheap vacuums at around $100, they were pretty useless.
Then I sucked it up and spent $400 on a Miele canister, I LOVE it!
it's unbelievably light and so not a problem to carry up and down the stairs.
Feb 11th 2011, 4:08 pm
#65
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 198
Re: Moving UK to USA - are there any electricals we can bring?
About buying a new vacuum, I would recommend getting a Miele like this one or similar, I just bought one and it's hands down the best vacuum I've ever had.
I've had several upright style ones through the years, including a rather groovy pink and purple Dyson. While it looked good it was rather cumbersome to use and did not live up to the hype, I needed to replace the hose which had torn after very little use. After coming here I bought a couple of cheap vacuums at around $100, they were pretty useless.
Then I sucked it up and spent $400 on a Miele canister, I LOVE it! it's unbelievably light and so not a problem to carry up and down the stairs.
I've had several upright style ones through the years, including a rather groovy pink and purple Dyson. While it looked good it was rather cumbersome to use and did not live up to the hype, I needed to replace the hose which had torn after very little use. After coming here I bought a couple of cheap vacuums at around $100, they were pretty useless.
Then I sucked it up and spent $400 on a Miele canister, I LOVE it!
it's unbelievably light and so not a problem to carry up and down the stairs.
Feb 11th 2011, 8:26 pm
#66
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 2,262
Re: Moving UK to USA - are there any electricals we can bring?
About buying a new vacuum, I would recommend getting a Miele like this one or similar, I just bought one and it's hands down the best vacuum I've ever had.
I've had several upright style ones through the years, including a rather groovy pink and purple Dyson. While it looked good it was rather cumbersome to use and did not live up to the hype, I needed to replace the hose which had torn after very little use. After coming here I bought a couple of cheap vacuums at around $100, they were pretty useless.
Then I sucked it up and spent $400 on a Miele canister, I LOVE it! it's unbelievably light and so not a problem to carry up and down the stairs.
I've had several upright style ones through the years, including a rather groovy pink and purple Dyson. While it looked good it was rather cumbersome to use and did not live up to the hype, I needed to replace the hose which had torn after very little use. After coming here I bought a couple of cheap vacuums at around $100, they were pretty useless.
Then I sucked it up and spent $400 on a Miele canister, I LOVE it!
it's unbelievably light and so not a problem to carry up and down the stairs.
Feb 11th 2011, 9:16 pm
#68
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 2,262
Re: Moving UK to USA - are there any electricals we can bring?
Well I've only had it since Monday, but so far so good. The only thing it sucked up was a hairslide and that was still in one piece and easy to get out when I emptied it.
Feb 11th 2011, 11:08 pm
#69
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,017
Re: Moving UK to USA - are there any electricals we can bring?
I've had Roombas for about 5 years. I keep one upstairs and one downstairs. No carpets...hardly any rugs and no kids to leave bits of lego around.
my Roomba.
my Roomba.
Feb 11th 2011, 11:10 pm
#70
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: Moving UK to USA - are there any electricals we can bring?
And to think they make $15B off the government blowing things up 
Feb 11th 2011, 11:24 pm
#71
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 2,262
Re: Moving UK to USA - are there any electricals we can bring?
My dog thought he had out witted it as he laid on the rug, presuming it couldn't get onto it. He was so confident he closed his eyes and turned his back to it. It raised it's little legs, climbed on the rug and bounced his bum! I think it may be a dalek.
Feb 11th 2011, 11:44 pm
#72
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,017
Re: Moving UK to USA - are there any electricals we can bring?
My two little dogs look down their noses at it and walk slowly away.
