Will an American chandelier work in the UK?

[danosirra]

Hi,

I'm thinking of buying this chandelier in a shop in the US.

http://ww2.potterybarn.com/cat/pip.cfm?src=shpclgthng|rshop&gids=p6070&cmsrc=hero

I want to know whether it will work in the UK on the 240V system? Or would I need some form of transformer?

Can anyone help?

Dan.

 

[breezer]

the thing is its the lamps that are one problem, they have 120v we use 230v, but you can change the lamps.

you should also note:

It will not be made to the relevant high uk standard

Wired in wrong colours (makes a differnce if lamps are screw in)

it will not have a CE mark

you will be importing it, and so liable to import duty and vat

upto you really

 

[danosirra]

Thanks for this. Do you know whether the lamp fittings are a standard spec. (in terms of size) in the UK and US? If I buy this thing, will it be straightforward to change the lamp fittings?

Dan.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Do you know whether the lamp fittings are a standard spec. (in terms of size) in the UK and US?

Not always.

If I buy this thing, will it be straightforward to change the lamp fittings?

Who knows? Depending on how it is made, it might be impossible.

 

[breezer]

sorry danosirra, i missed your reply, but i agree with ban-all-sheds, and dont forget import duty and vat, (voice of experiance)

ban-all-sheds also has a fair point with the aspect of how its made, assuming the arms are hollow for the cable, they me be too small to get a uk sized cable through

 

[ban-all-sheds]

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?cId=101987&ts=37015&id=16158

 

[breezer]

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?cId=101987&ts=37015&id=16158

ban-all-sheds, you forgot to mention these will be required to bolt it on the wall (near the ceiling)
or one of these that way the transformer can stay on the floor, and maybe some of this

danosirra, i think ban-all-sheds is saying its not a good idea that you get that light, also i did a quick currency conversion, it will cost you aprox £225
to buy it, lets say £50 to ship it, then VAT (vat will be charged on shipping) that will be at least £323 + import duty
lets say £70 import duty and storage (storage incured while you pay the import duty and vat)

Now lets look at what your £400 (almost) gets you

What no nice hanging decorations like the one below has,

NO, sorry those "dangley bits" are optional extra (says so in the small print)

also a light that is made to American standards (has no CE mark), may cause a fire because cable not insulated enough for our 230v, will be wired in black and white cable (American standard colours) cost you more than you thought it would, and probably has no earth connection, (all metal lights must have an earth* (but you can attach one your self) cost you an arm and a leg for a replacement glass if your break a bit.

you could also have 5 of

for your £400 and the dangley bits are included and its avaialable here in the UK

still its up to you




* earth required unless double insulated

 

[Big_Spark]

I agree with the comments above, but also with one important one, in order to use it in the UK you would have to rewire the unit to comply with UK regulations for such equipment.

By the time you buy it, import it, rewire it, change the lampholders to UK spec etc, you will have parted with something like £600 plus.

Hardly a cost effective solution when such items, as has been aptly pointed out above, can be sourced in the UK for a fraction of this cost.

Even if you chose to use a Transformer for it, you would still need to rewire the fitting to comply with UK Regs, and the lampholders would require changing as you cannot Buy US spec lamps in the UK. The thread pitch is different, they use old Imperial threads on lamps, we use metric, they are not compatable.

 

[danosirra]

Thanks, Breezer. Can you tell me where I can find the one that you inserted a picture of?

Thanks,

Dan.

 

[breezer]

here loads of them, that one is from "multi arm fittings, 5 lights" and thats £50 you owe me