Electrical goods from USA

[chocccie]

There is a kitchen appliance I would like to buy (way cheaper in the USA than France/UK) .... if put through an adaptor, should it be OK to use with French electrics.

I know nowt about electrics, except that US wiring can be quite different to UK (which is safe through an adaptor in France) ... I don't want to burn the house down!

thanks [:)]

[Iceni]

Having seen several blackened, partially melted adapters I wouldn't do this - but I know nowt about electrics.

John

not

[Dick Smith]

US equipment works at 110volts, whereas in Europe we use 230v. So if you use an adaptor you won't just melt it, you'll melt, or set fire to the appliance as well. Which means running every appliance through a transformer. I doubt that anyone would think that was very safe.

This does not apply to computers etc which are sometimes dual voltage.

[AnOther]

What you will need is a step down transformer not an adapter (although you will still probably need one or more of these to convert between the different plugs).

There is nothing intrinsically wrong with what you propose however to advise you further it would help to know exactly what the appliance is, and critically, it's power rating in W or KW.

If it is high consumption, i.e. a cooker or hob or dishwasher for instance, then the transformer you will need to run it will be substantial and quite expensive, and will probably wipe out any saving by buying in the US.

This one for instance http://tinyurl.com/24oh5a with a constant load capability of 1000w, is enough for say a good size microwave.

[Dick Smith]

Step down or step up?

[AnOther]

Step down - 230v to 110v [;-)]

[AnOther]

PS: Computers, and indeed most electronic equipment, are frequently universal which means they will work within a typical nominal range of 98 to 254v but ALWAYS CHECK if unsure !!!

[Dick Smith]

[quote user="ErnieY"]Step down - 230v to 110v [;-)][/quote]

Gotcha. I've got a step machine - would that work?