Will things like electric shavers, hair dryers etc. from UK work
straight from the mains (using the 2 flat pin adapter) in USA? Does
one need a "step down" transformer / voltage converter?

On Thu, 18 Mar 2004 23:38:01 +0000, sdr84 wrote:


Will things like electric shavers, hair dryers etc. from UK work straight
from the mains (using the 2 flat pin adapter) in USA? Does one need a
"step down" transformer / voltage converter?

if you were to use a transformer you would need a stepup one US is
110V(ish) and UK is 230V

Martin

said

Will things like electric shavers, hair dryers etc. from UK work
straight from the mains (using the 2 flat pin adapter) in USA? Does
one need a "step down" transformer / voltage converter?

Have a look at the rating plate on each item. Lots of modern items are
dual rated while others have a switch to select between 110V and 230V.

If it doesn't say the item will work at 110V then you need to make other
arrangements.

--
Neopets!!! It's Fun, Free and Addictive
www.neopets.com/refer.phtml?username=carolla

wrote in message
...

Will things like electric shavers, hair dryers etc. from UK work
straight from the mains (using the 2 flat pin adapter) in USA? Does
one need a "step down" transformer / voltage converter?

My shaver will work on anything from 12v DC to 240v AC. Others won't, so you
need to check for a plate on the equipment or the bits of paper that came
with it. Hair dryers are unlikely to work without a *step-up* transformer,
unless they have been bought specifically as travel dryers. Again, you need
to check the information in your possession to know.

Colin Bignell

Will things like electric shavers, hair dryers etc. from UK work
straight from the mains (using the 2 flat pin adapter) in USA? Does
one need a "step down" transformer / voltage converter?

With the current exchange rate save yourself some hassle and weight in your
baggage and buy them when you get there - i got a set of hairclippers from
wal-mart for 10USD - about 6 quid now. Not worth carrying mine there for
that. Although I am long past the need for hairdryers i am sure similar
prices apply.If you are stopping in a hotel in my experience hairdriers are
provided in most of the hotel rooms

"Martin Warby" wrote in message
news
On Thu, 18 Mar 2004 23:38:01 +0000, sdr84 wrote:


Will things like electric shavers, hair dryers etc. from UK work
straight
from the mains (using the 2 flat pin adapter) in USA? Does one need a
"step down" transformer / voltage converter?

if you were to use a transformer you would need a stepup one US is
110V(ish) and UK is 230V


So it would be a step-down (230 110), the OP is travelling FROM the UK to
the USA, read the OP again !

"Jerry." wrote in message
...

"Martin Warby" wrote in message
news
On Thu, 18 Mar 2004 23:38:01 +0000, sdr84 wrote:


Will things like electric shavers, hair dryers etc. from UK work
straight
from the mains (using the 2 flat pin adapter) in USA? Does one need a
"step down" transformer / voltage converter?

if you were to use a transformer you would need a stepup one US is
110V(ish) and UK is 230V


So it would be a step-down (230 110), the OP is travelling FROM the UK
to
the USA, read the OP again !


Opps, I'll do as I suggest, re read the OP- Doh ! :~(((

Will things like electric shavers, hair dryers etc. from UK work
straight from the mains (using the 2 flat pin adapter) in USA? Does
one need a "step down" transformer / voltage converter?

It will be FAR cheaper to buy a new 110V hairdryer than to buy equipment to
change the voltage. You'd need a very hefty (expensive and heavy)
transformer to convert that sort of power. The shaver may work straight
away. Check the rating panel to see if the voltage range covers 110V AC
(60Hz). If not, buy a new one in the US.

Christian.

"Jerry." wrote
| "Martin Warby" wrote
| if you were to use a transformer you would need a stepup one US is
| 110V(ish) and UK is 230V
| So it would be a step-down (230 110), the OP is travelling FROM the UK
to
| the USA, read the OP again !

No, it would be a step-up, because the US input voltage has to be stepped up
to match the UK appliance.

Owain

"Owain" wrote in message
...
"Jerry." wrote
| "Martin Warby" wrote
| if you were to use a transformer you would need a stepup one US is
| 110V(ish) and UK is 230V
| So it would be a step-down (230 110), the OP is travelling FROM the UK
to
| the USA, read the OP again !

No, it would be a step-up, because the US input voltage has to be stepped
up
to match the UK appliance.


Yes, which I realised after pressing the send button - hence my follow up to
my own message ! :~(

On Thu, 18 Mar 2004 23:38:01 +0000, wrote:


Will things like electric shavers, hair dryers etc. from UK work
straight from the mains (using the 2 flat pin adapter) in USA? Does
one need a "step down" transformer / voltage converter?

I have a similar problem. My digital camera takes rechargeable AA
bateteries which I will need to recharge. The charger has a UK plug
and does not mention 110V. What would be the best option here please?

In message ,
writes
On Thu, 18 Mar 2004 23:38:01 +0000, wrote:

Will things like electric shavers, hair dryers etc. from UK work
straight from the mains (using the 2 flat pin adapter) in USA? Does
one need a "step down" transformer / voltage converter?

I have a similar problem. My digital camera takes rechargeable AA
bateteries which I will need to recharge. The charger has a UK plug
and does not mention 110V. What would be the best option here please?

Depending on how long you're going for I'd consider simply using
non-rechargeable AA's for the time you're away. The step-up transformer
I was forced to buy at Heathrow Dixon's for my son's nebuliser cost me
GBP30 and weighed rather a lot!

[Anyone want to buy a...]

--
dave @ stejonda

In message ,
writes
On Thu, 18 Mar 2004 23:38:01 +0000, wrote:


Will things like electric shavers, hair dryers etc. from UK work
straight from the mains (using the 2 flat pin adapter) in USA? Does
one need a "step down" transformer / voltage converter?

I have a similar problem. My digital camera takes rechargeable AA
bateteries which I will need to recharge. The charger has a UK plug
and does not mention 110V. What would be the best option here please?

Go somewhere else on holiday

--
geoff

On Sun, 04 Apr 2004 12:56:03 +0100, wrote:

On Thu, 18 Mar 2004 23:38:01 +0000, wrote:


Will things like electric shavers, hair dryers etc. from UK work
straight from the mains (using the 2 flat pin adapter) in USA? Does
one need a "step down" transformer / voltage converter?

I have a similar problem. My digital camera takes rechargeable AA
bateteries which I will need to recharge. The charger has a UK plug
and does not mention 110V. What would be the best option here please?

The cheapest way is to wait until you get there and simply buy a
charger for AA batteries.

The alternative of buying a voltage convertor would be a lot more
expensive.


..andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
wrote:

On Thu, 18 Mar 2004 23:38:01 +0000, wrote:


Will things like electric shavers, hair dryers etc. from UK work
straight from the mains (using the 2 flat pin adapter) in USA? Does
one need a "step down" transformer / voltage converter?

I have a similar problem. My digital camera takes rechargeable AA
bateteries which I will need to recharge. The charger has a UK plug
and does not mention 110V. What would be the best option here please?

My digital camera accepts any input between 100 and 250 volts, and 50 or 60
Hz - so I would only need an adaptor.

Any appliance which will only run off 240-250v needs a step *up* transformer
(in addition to adaptors for the pluggery) to convert 110v to 240v. Be aware
also that the mains frequency in USA is 60Hz rather than 50Hz as in UK. Most
things will probably work ok on 60Hz but it is as well to check the spec. or
check with the manufacturer. Anything with a synchronous motor in it will
run 20% faster!
--
Cheers,
Set Square
______
Please reply to newsgroup. Reply address is Black Hole!

In article ,
writes:

I have a similar problem. My digital camera takes rechargeable AA
bateteries which I will need to recharge. The charger has a UK plug
and does not mention 110V. What would be the best option here please?

If it can take the Lithium 1.5V AA batteries, you'll find they are
less than half the price over there (were exactly half the price
before the $ dropped).

--
Andrew Gabriel

Anyone know why the mains frequency is 60hz in USA and 50 hz everywhere
else?

Always wondered about that
Thanks Jackie

In article ,
"Jackie" writes:
Anyone know why the mains frequency is 60hz in USA and 50 hz everywhere
else?

Try alt.engineering.electrical, but search google first as it's a FAQ.

--
Andrew Gabriel

"Jackie" wrote in message
...
Anyone know why the mains frequency is 60hz in USA and 50 hz everywhere
else?

Always wondered about that
Thanks Jackie



Japan: 50Hz in the East and 60Hz in the West, both at 100v. Wacky.