electricians help please think i messed up on american goods for uk use

nurse_sue

oh dear ive bought some really expensive straighteners for hair over on holiday in usa just
thought i could use at home in uk with a 2 -3 pin travel adapter


just realised we use 240 v they use 110


it is a Power of 200 watts ,,,,110 volts appliance
can someone tell me how to use it here in uk
can i just use a plug adapter or do i need a transformer of somekind they look expensive where can i get what i need hate to spend even more on wronge item
please help peeps

wiraone

You need a step-down transformer (220v -> 110v) .. check Maplin or any other DIY stores. They might have it. And when you're at it, check the maximum watts the transformer takes ..

One from Maplin website:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=13358&doy=18m10&C=SEO&U=strat15

atro1

If you know anyone in the building trade --they use 110 transformers, might be able to 'borrow' one, but its a bit large to hide under your skirt!!

Dont worry or feel embarrassed you are not the first and will not be the last!

stevemcol

nurse sue

Sorry to say that for the power you need, transformers tend to be in the £20-£30 bracket, even on Ebay.

nurse_sue

thank you all will look around for transformer as suggested;)
great going guys:T :T :T :T

esuhl

nurse_sue wrote:

just realised we use 240 v they use 110

Not quite true: about 10 to 20 years ago the EU and US agreed to bring their official voltages inline with each other. In the UK, we officially use 230V and the US and Europe now use 115V.

Not that this makes much difference as a certain degree of tolerance is allowed (+/- 10% if I remember rightly). There's more information here if anyone is interested: http://www.epanorama.net/documents/groundloop/electrical_wiring.html

You'll need some kind of transformer or "power inverter", otherwise 230V will fry your 115V straightners.

nurse_sue

:T :T :T :T
thank you all bought one at maplin really helpfull staff too
and they agreed to take it back if it didnt do job it did and alls well great big
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx to you all

moonrakerz

esuhl wrote:

Not quite true: about 10 to 20 years ago the EU and US agreed to bring their official voltages inline with each other. In the UK, we officially use 230V and the US and Europe now use 115V.

Strictly speaking, nurse sue was right - the mains voltage in UK is 240, we just call it 230 to keep our "masters" in the EU happy. As esuhl says this was achieved by fiddling the tolerance, not the actual voltage.