Uk appliances in US

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Barney 21 years ago

Be grateful for some help with a problem that I/we have. My daughter is off to the US soon and she wants to take some of her electrical appliances with her - laptop, hairdryer, etc - and we have no idea of what will work over there. Am I right in my belief that the supply is 120 Vac at 60Hz? The laptop power supply states that it will cope with any input from 100V to

240Vac, so that will probably be ok, but I was wondering about the rest - and also about the appliance plugs, are the UK/US ones compatible, and if not what sort of adaptor is required? Any advice/information on this topic would be ver much appreciated.

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Ross Herbert 21 years ago

Here's a site you can get info from

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Alan S 21 years ago

The items which can accept 110-250VAC 50-60Hz will work, but you will need a plug adaptor. See a travel or electronics store - they aren't expensive. A quick google found

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but I'm sure you'll find better ones locally.

Unless they are labelled as such, leave them at home. It's unlikely that high-current devices, like hairdryers, electric jugs, electric cooking appliances will be suitable.

It's cheaper - and safer - to buy new ones in the States.

Cheers, Alan, Australia

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Dave Plowman (News) 21 years ago

Many things you might travel with - laptop, hairdrier, toothbrush, etc may already be multi-voltage. Check the label.

Other appliances will need a step-up transformer to work from 110v, and these would be expensive for a moderate current appliance, so best to leave at home and replace in the US.

*Two wrongs are only the beginning * Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound.

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NSM 21 years ago

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Fundamentally, yes. Actually it's a split 220 volt supply, but the outlets look different and supply 120 VAC. Radio Shack (Tandy to you) have adaptors for plugs. Most things she wants (hairdryer etc) can be bought new for $10 each.

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Barney 21 years ago

over

adaptors

Thanks for that - and also to everyone else for their help and advice.

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NSM 21 years ago

To look up sample prices online see

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or

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as good starting points.

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James Sweet 21 years ago

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The laptop will work just fine, the hairdryer it would definitly be easier to just buy a cheap one over here. We have 120v 60Hz and the plugs are

*very* different than UK plugs. You can get transformers to run low powered stuff but most things are easier to just buy over here and sell or give away when she goes home, electronics tend to be quite a lot cheaper here than in the UK anyway.

Most US houses do have 240V 60Hz available but it's usually not in the most convenient of locations. Behind the electric stove, clothes dryer, and occasionally out in the garage.

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Barry Lennox 21 years ago

I did something similar, moved from NZ to the USA for about 5 yrs. Some items (with SMPSs) will work with 90-260vac so that's no problem other than changing the connector or using an adapter. It may be prudent to teach here how to rewire up a plug and equip her with a few tools. (She may already know this, so sorry if she does, I don't mean to patronise anybody!)

I also took a small 250va transformer, but only used it with one bit of test equipment. Most small appliances like hairdryers and kitchen gadgets are so cheap in the US, that it's easier to get new ones in WalMart. You can also pick them up in tag or yard sales (UK parlance=car boot sale, roughly) for almost nothing.

Barry Lennox

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