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US electrics compatibility

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  • 02-07-2007 1:26am
    #1
    saoranach
    Closed Accounts Posts: 52 ✭✭


    Hi,
    Im currently in the US and looking to bring back a pump and light fitting. Will I be able to wire these directly into our electrical outlets as I would if they were designed for Ireland.

    (These items dont draw much power and the Irish equivalents dont have earth wires.)

    Any help would be much appreciated
    kev


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    #2
    Stoner
    Registered Users Posts: 10,952 ✭✭✭✭Stoner


    Hi saoranach,

    Typically they wont work by just plugging them in. Both the voltage and the frequency are different here. There are devices that you can buy that would solve the issue for you , but I'm unsure if you want to go down that road from an expense point of view, but if you are in the US you're in the place to buy an American to Europe power adaptor as they are typically more expensive here. (note this is a power adaptor, not just a plug top adaptor this transforms the supply voltage down from 220 to 110V)

    Some electronic power supplies are rated to work on both systems, but I would be surprized if your items have these.

    You are looking to see if there is something like
    input: 220/110 Vac 50/60Hz. printed on the devices

    Some hotels have US voltage and sockets (some of the Hilton Hotels)
    Most lamps/light bulbs will not work here and will blow with 220 Volts accross them.


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    #3
    CJhaughey
    Registered Users Posts: 14,907 ✭✭✭✭CJhaughey


    The lamp can be modified if it is just a normal bulb Edison screw type.
    All you need to do is change the plug, and possibly the lampholder(ES bulbs can be hard to get).
    Pumps can be hard to use as they may work here if supplied with 110v but as the supply us 50hz as opposed to 60hz they may not pump very well as they will run slower here.


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    #4
    saoranach
    Closed Accounts Posts: 52 ✭✭saoranach


    Thanks for the replies, is there any chance if you have a second you could post a link to the type of power adapter i need, as im slightly lost.

    Thanks a million
    kev


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    #5
    Stoner
    Registered Users Posts: 10,952 ✭✭✭✭Stoner


    http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=13358&C=Maplin&U=SearchTop&T=POWER%20CONVERTORS&doy=4m7

    something like this will plug in to an irish socket and power a US item (220Wat max)

    this shoud be fine for your lamp, as CJH pointed out , the lamp could be handy, maybe getting a an irish lamp from the likes of Tesco (bring your US bulb) and change the plug top and you should be ok.

    These things typically dont change the frequency, and as CJH siad this could cause your pump to operate slower/

    IMO you might nearly be better off replacing the pump with an irish one, but make sure you check that the power supply unit on the power supply will not operate and funcition in Ireland, it will say it if it does you wont need anything

    http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criteria=RS59P&DOY=4m7


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