Any electricans out there that could give me advice?

laurajayne

I really hope so!

It's a bit of a saga I'm afraid!

I recently imported a kitchen appliance from America (yeah, I know, that was my first mistake!). It's come with a two pin polarised plug. I knew I needed a step down transformer, and purchased one. And blew it - I've now learnt all about wattage lol.

I've purchased an industrial transformer, for £80...gulp! It arrived today....and it's a three pin one.

I spoke to the people who sold it to me, and they've said I can change the plug on my machine for a '230v 16A BS approved plug for 230v extention cable'.

I've sourced one, and I can go get it today...but before I spend any more money on this, can anyone just confirm it can be done, and an electrican can change the plug over for me. I really want the appliance, and sunk so much cash in to it now, that I'd like it to work....but equally don't want to buy any more stuff just to be told it still won't work.

Thanks!

Inner_Zone

Why do you want to fit a 230V plug to a 110V appliance?

If the transformer is 230 to 110V it should have a three pin yellow socket, so you will need the matching yellow 110V plug.

Does the transformer rating meet or preferably exceed the wattage of the appliance. Will the appliance run on 50Hz?

espresso

It sounds like you have bought a site safety isolation transformer that is normally used for 110V power tools e.g. here and now need a suitable plug to fit to your appliance e.g. here

Providing the transformer is suitably rated it should work fine.

AirCooledHeaven

Hi, step down transformers are available with two types of output connection, either a standard US style domestic 3-pin socket, or an EU industrial 3-pin socket. It sounds like yours is an industrial one because the supplier mentioned 16A. In that case you will require an industrial 110v plug to attach to the cable from the appliance. It will be an industrial 16A 110V plug, yellow colour, and look like this:

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/bs4343-iec309-industrial-accessories/7249079/

You haven't mentioned what type of appliance it is but I'm assuming it's a washer or dryer. If the appliance contains a synchronous motor then it will run at a slower speed on 50hz than it would on 60hz, but I don't expect you'll have a problem.

Be sure to get it sorted by a qualified electrician!

espresso

AirCooledHeaven wrote: »

Be sure to get it sorted by a qualified electrician!

This is a money saving site and as no electrician has been involved thus far, it's a bit late now!

No electrical qualifications are required to fit a mains plug, just some common sense and a screwdriver.

AirCooledHeaven

espresso wrote: »

This is a money saving site and as no electrician has been involved thus far, it's a bit late now!

No electrical qualifications are required to fit a mains plug, just some common sense and a screwdriver.

Well this was posted in the 'Techie Stuff' section, so not necessarily 'moneysaving'

Secondly there's no point trying to save a few quid where safety is concerned, and one shouldn't make assumptions about the competence of people posting here. How do you know the OP is competent??

For example: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-14844903

And by the way I'm not an electrician;)

Enterprise_1701C

In our bathroom we have a dual shaver socket, 240V and 110V, would it be worth converting a nearby electrical socket to something like that?

Inner_Zone

Jane_Blackford wrote: »

In our bathroom we have a dual shaver socket, 240V and 110V, would it be worth converting a nearby electrical socket to something like that?

No, see post one.

Fifer

Jane_Blackford wrote: »

In our bathroom we have a dual shaver socket, 240V and 110V, would it be worth converting a nearby electrical socket to something like that?

No, or the OP will end up as my inlaws did trying to use the shaver socket in their hotel bedroom for an iron.

rmg1

I assume that didn't go well......:eek:

Enterprise_1701C

Ooôoooops! Just that we use ours for testing American faxes and the suchlike that people want to find out if they work before they get a step.down transformer for them, admittedly for only short periods of time.