change USA plug to UK
- Thread starter chigo
- Start date
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What is the plug connected to? US equipment runs at half the voltage that we use here and at a different frequency so its not as simple as changing the plug.
It certainly is not as simple as that, unless you want November the 5th to come around a little earlier than usual.
The UK use 230v. The US use 110v for their 'portable' appliances.
As their voltage is lower, simply changing their plug would result in a loud bang of some sort when you plugged it in.
Certain items, such as lamps, can simply have the bulbs replaced and the plug changed. Other items would likely require a step down transformer which is man enough to power the device.
Items with motors certainly are not recommended for use in the UK even if you correct the voltage. The US use 60Hz as apposed to our 50Hz which causes motors to run hotter than usual, and either burn out, or cause protection circuitry to operate.
What is it you have bought?
It is also worth mentioning that anything bought there will not have a british standard, and possibly not an EU one either. As such, the safety of the item compared to items bought here may be worlds apart!
The UK use 230v. The US use 110v for their 'portable' appliances.
As their voltage is lower, simply changing their plug would result in a loud bang of some sort when you plugged it in.
Certain items, such as lamps, can simply have the bulbs replaced and the plug changed. Other items would likely require a step down transformer which is man enough to power the device.
Items with motors certainly are not recommended for use in the UK even if you correct the voltage. The US use 60Hz as apposed to our 50Hz which causes motors to run hotter than usual, and either burn out, or cause protection circuitry to operate.
What is it you have bought?
It is also worth mentioning that anything bought there will not have a british standard, and possibly not an EU one either. As such, the safety of the item compared to items bought here may be worlds apart!
More info need I think! Some electrical goods are designed to run of either 110 or 230V, these are normally goods that run on 5V DC anyway though. If the product can run on either, it will say somewhere on the product or in the instructions. If not, don't tinker with it or 5th November (4th July for Americans) will come early.
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I'm witing for Mr Chigo to say what the item is before wasting any more time. Seems like he has lit blue touchpaper, and retired 
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