Need Electrician Help - using US equipment in UK

[polaroid_memories]

Hi guys,

Just wanted to see if there are any known Professional Electricians here on the forum that I could ask a couple questions to? I have specialist questions regarding finding a solution (be that a transformer / converter or something more) to using US power packs which source power from UK mains power...

If anyone knows of or has had interaction with any electricians on the forum please help me out in finding them.

Cheers all

 

[Martin Aislabie]

Have you thought about one of these - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00U4OSLYY?psc=1

I've always used transformers to deal with the problem - its just the size/capacity that you need to watch out for.

Martin

 

[bernard_L]

You mention "power packs". If you mean a DC power supply, nowadays, most of them are switching type, and operate happily from 100-240V AC mains; check what's written on the supply body. The only problem might be the AC plug type: just cut the wire near the plug and install a local plug; if 3-wire cord, make SURE the ground wire goes to the ground terminal.

 

[Martin Aislabie]

You mention "power packs". If you mean a DC power supply, nowadays, most of them are switching type, and operate happily from 100-240V AC mains; check what's written on the supply body. The only problem might be the AC plug type: just cut the wire near the plug and install a local plug; if 3-wire cord, make SURE the ground wire goes to the ground terminal.

Look carefully at the range of voltage.

Most European and world wide equipment is 100 ~ 240V compatible - but most North American stuff is 100~110V only - for some reason.

Martin

 

[BMbikerider]

I don't have their latest catalogue but I feel sure that the tool company 'Screwfix' have a transformer that will reduce the voltage. Most building site power tools are 110V

 

[Leigh B]

Any store that sells stuff for tourists, perhaps at an airport, should have conversion transformers.
Mains in the UK are 220 to 240 volts IIRC. US equipment is typically designed for 120 volts or so.

Just make sure the transformer is large enough for the load.
Look at the nameplate. It should specify power consumption in either watts or amps.

Power in watts = line voltage times amps, so 120 volts and 1.5 amps = 180 watts.
The two specs are interchangeable.

It's OK to uy a transformer with a higher power rating than the equipment it's driving.
But the transformer rating can NEVER be lower than the power the load needs.

- Leigh

 

[paul_c5x4]

I don't have their latest catalogue but I feel sure that the tool company 'Screwfix' have a transformer that will reduce the voltage. Most building site power tools are 110V

Be very careful with site transformers and powering equipment not designed to run off them. The transformers have a split winding inside and the center tap is the earth connection. This is so that no one is exposed to more than 55V if they come in to contact with a live (or neutral) wire.

For powering 115V equipment from the USA, an autotransformer from someone like RS Components would be better (my opinion). Something like this: http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/autotransformers/0504199/ - Some of them come equipped with a two pin socket on the side so that you don't have to chop the plug off.

 

[johnnyh]

Check that they are specified for 50/60 Hz mains frequency, just in case it might be an issue for the type of design of the 'power packs'. Mains is 60Hz in the US, 50Hz in the UK and most other places. I would expect modern equipment to be designed to accommodate universal standards, but it's worth a check. Modern stuff is likely to be based on switching, rather than simple analogue, circuitry, and may include power-factor correction gizmos.

 

[darkroommike]

Most darkroom and studio equipment is a lot more complicated than a toaster or hair dryer, US equipment is designed for 60 cycle and most Euro equipment is 50 cycle. So you need more than just a step-up or step-down transformer. The exception would be something that converts the AC to DC but even then it can be "iffy". A lot of the latest generation electronics can even "auto-sense the voltage and frequency and accommodate the differences without a switch to select the voltage, then all you need is the correct cord. Check the plate on the power supply.