Voltage converters - any recommendations?
Jan 14th 2012, 12:36 am
#16
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,174
Re: Voltage converters - any recommendations?
There are plenty of others for decent money too online...shame you can't seem to find decent ones in the shops here though, those ones in Walmart will tear you apart
Jan 14th 2012, 12:39 am
#17
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Joined: Jan 2009
Location: DFW, TX
Posts: 508
Re: Voltage converters - any recommendations?
Amazon....double edged razor blades, last time I got some, 35 for $9 of the Derby blades including shipping....though it seems to be for 30 blades these days.
There are plenty of others for decent money too online...shame you can't seem to find decent ones in the shops here though, those ones in Walmart will tear you apart
There are plenty of others for decent money too online...shame you can't seem to find decent ones in the shops here though, those ones in Walmart will tear you apart
Jan 14th 2012, 4:43 am
#18
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Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 4,913
Re: Voltage converters - any recommendations?
Actually I believe that, strictly speaking, the nominal supply voltage in the UK and much of the rest of Europe is now 230 volts with the splendid bureaucratic compromise that in the UK that is deemed to be a range of 230 volts +10%,-6% and in the rest of Europe it is treated as a range 230 volts -10%,+6% which neatly covers the previous nominal 240v and 220v specs with enough leeway that, initially at least, the only changes that were necessary were on paper 
(all of which is kind of irrelevant to the original issue since, in practice, 220v and 240v, being within less than 10% of each other, were always completely interchangeable)
(all of which is kind of irrelevant to the original issue since, in practice, 220v and 240v, being within less than 10% of each other, were always completely interchangeable)
Jan 14th 2012, 7:50 am
#19
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Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Portland, OR
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Re: Voltage converters - any recommendations?
I agree with you, given that you obviously know what you are doing.
That having been said, when people ask if they can use 240v UK appliances with a US 220v supply I usually advise them that if they need to ask then they probably shouldn't.
As you mention, US domestic 220v supplies are 2 phase and connecting them to a UK appliance that was designed for 240v single phase and which possibly only has a single pole power switch can leave the unwary open to a few hazards. Of course the fact that you included a GFI breaker pretty much eliminates any risk, but I suspect that most people would not be so careful.
Out of curiosity is it a US GFI breaker or one that you brought with you from the UK? 220V GFI breakers are really hard to find over here and if you can find one they are bloody expensive ...
That having been said, when people ask if they can use 240v UK appliances with a US 220v supply I usually advise them that if they need to ask then they probably shouldn't.
As you mention, US domestic 220v supplies are 2 phase and connecting them to a UK appliance that was designed for 240v single phase and which possibly only has a single pole power switch can leave the unwary open to a few hazards. Of course the fact that you included a GFI breaker pretty much eliminates any risk, but I suspect that most people would not be so careful.
Out of curiosity is it a US GFI breaker or one that you brought with you from the UK? 220V GFI breakers are really hard to find over here and if you can find one they are bloody expensive ...
Jan 14th 2012, 10:53 am
#20
On The Brink
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 30
Re: Voltage converters - any recommendations?
Thanks everyone, I've taken all your points on board.
We're going to live in an apartment so I'm leaving the power well alone and I'm not holding my breathe for a high voltage socket.
I think we'll take a punt on a few small scale items and I'll buy a handful of Amazon's cheapest adaptors today. Oh, I'm told the GHD's are definitely accompanying us, at over £100 they're worth it apparently.
(Sorry to hear about your pets Tim, that must have been rough)
We're going to live in an apartment so I'm leaving the power well alone and I'm not holding my breathe for a high voltage socket.
I think we'll take a punt on a few small scale items and I'll buy a handful of Amazon's cheapest adaptors today. Oh, I'm told the GHD's are definitely accompanying us, at over £100 they're worth it apparently.
(Sorry to hear about your pets Tim, that must have been rough)
Jan 14th 2012, 3:42 pm
#21
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: My Old KY Home!
Posts: 6,498
Re: Voltage converters - any recommendations?
I'm by no means an expert, but my hubby has a Panasonic electric razor that he has used here in the US and the UK. We bought it here in the US, and when we lived overseas, all he used was a plug adapter to plug into the socket. It charged and works just fine here and there.
Jan 14th 2012, 4:13 pm
#22
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2009
Location: DFW, TX
Posts: 508
Re: Voltage converters - any recommendations?
Well, the Braun razor I brought from Germany worked, kinda. It charged. It buzzed. It made some weak attempts at shaving. It worked after a fashion. But never as good as it did in Germany.
Jan 14th 2012, 4:19 pm
#23
Retired
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,649
Re: Voltage converters - any recommendations?
Best advice I can give to anyone - moving in either direction UK/USA - is do not think about using voltage converters. In general, they are bulky, unsightly and electrical goods, even if they work, never work as well.
Unless something is specifically designed to be dual-voltage (eg PCs and many smaller electronic items), then sell before you leave and buy new in the UK or USA. And if you can't sell them, then find a needy family who could use them (not that hard if you ask around) or failing that, donate them to something like the Salvation Army.
Unless something is specifically designed to be dual-voltage (eg PCs and many smaller electronic items), then sell before you leave and buy new in the UK or USA. And if you can't sell them, then find a needy family who could use them (not that hard if you ask around) or failing that, donate them to something like the Salvation Army.
