Thread Number: 40011
/ Tag: Brand New Vacuum Cleaners
UK to United States plug adapter |
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Post# 424694   5/2/2020 at 21:10 (1,425 days old) by Johnsmith96 (East Coast)   |   | |
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Post# 424697 , Reply# 1   5/2/2020 at 21:19 (1,425 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)   |   | |
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European appliances need 220 volts to run, so you need a voltage transformer that will boost the 120-volt power supply in a North American home to 220 volts. You also need that plug adapter so that you can plug the Sebo into that voltage transformer. You can get a transformer at any 220volt appliance store. Many large cities have such stores for people planning to move overseas and wanting their new 220volt appliances bought before they move and shipped with their other belongings and furniture.
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Post# 424715 , Reply# 2   5/2/2020 at 22:36 (1,425 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)   |   | |
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Post# 424729 , Reply# 3   5/3/2020 at 00:13 (1,425 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA)   |   | |
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No, one of those little power adapter cubes will not power a vacuum cleaner. It won't power much beyond a laptop charger and even that's pointless since almost all laptop chargers are dual voltage already. Those things are basically useless.
A step up transformer is an option. Specifically a 120v to 220/240v transformer. They are available, usually $100 or so, check the amazon link below. Be sure to get one rated a little over the rated wattage of the vacuum cleaner. It's worth mentioning that some European appliances will consume more than 1500 watts. That's a problem as 1500w is the maximum allowable load on an ordinary (North American) 15amp circuit. The other option which negates the previously mentioned wattage issue and is also cheaper, is to make or use an existing 240v outlet in your house and make an adapter cable to fit the appliance's plug, OR make an 'adapter' box that plugs into opposing phase outlets. Also very simple and cheap. CLICK HERE TO GO TO MadMan's LINK |
Post# 424764 , Reply# 6   5/3/2020 at 15:40 (1,424 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)   |   | |
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Changing the motor is definitely not easier than buying a voltage conversion box - and that defeats the purpose of buying a European model anyway. People buy European vacuums because they want the exclusive models for their collection. I have a couple Kenmores from Canada that we never got here.
Also if you want to use it long term and not just for a "playtime" vacuum, what MadMan said is correct - have an electrician install a 240V breaker in your circuit panel and run a 240V line to a midway point in your house where you can reach all the rooms with the vacuum. Make sure the socket is specially colored for 240V so you dont accidentally forget and plug another vacuum or item into it and blow it up, that would be bad! Enjoy your vac! |
Post# 424765 , Reply# 7   5/3/2020 at 15:48 (1,424 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA)   |   | |
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Post# 424803 , Reply# 10   5/3/2020 at 22:11 (1,424 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)   |   | |
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There is no difference in electrical circuits. It's the amps the breaker has. If they have a 40 amp 220 breaker if you run the same setup in the US with correct gauge of wires you can use a 220 vacuum. You have to have same setup they use.
That being said if you use a 220 usually for appliances. You change out the 220 American plug with European plug you may fry the machine. You can make a plug using correct wires. The breakers aren't cheap either. The lines are going to use alot bigger wires too. You can't just double up 2 120 lines. It can be done. Les |
Post# 424823 , Reply# 11   5/4/2020 at 03:23 (1,424 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA)   |   | |
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Greg, I'll second Les on this, mostly. In terms of vacuums (universal motors) there is not an appreciable difference. You could take a UK or EU vacuum and run it fine on a North American 240v supply.
Let me break it all down. The UK uses 240v at 50Hz. Most of the rest of Europe use 220v at 50Hz. Because of the EU, there is a slow movement to meet in the middle at 230v. The UK agreed to this, and they are 'working' on it. However, they've written legislation that allows them a 10% margin of error, so they can just leave their voltage at 240v, but say they're at 230v lol. North America uses 240v at 60Hz. For a vacuum cleaner motor, the difference would not be noticeable between 220 to 240v, nor from 50 to 60Hz. Even if it had electronics on board, they're largely designed with a 200-250v tolerance to cover all of Europe. That's not even mentioning local voltage variations. In America, all appliances are designed to work from 110-120v, just for line variations. European appliances will of course also have a tolerance. As for line frequency, it would affect an induction motor, as they need to be designed specifically for a particular line frequency. But vacuums (outside of central units) do not use induction motors, they use universal motors. 'Universal' here meaning DC or AC at pretty much any frequency. There is an upper limit to frequency, but we're only talking a 10Hz difference. Look at an old vacuum that says something like '0-60Hz.' If a machine has electronics on board, they run on low voltage, which is made by rectifying line voltage to DC, so the frequency is removed entirely. The same would go for a BLDC motor's controller. Les - you CAN actually double up two 120v lines that are out of phase with each other. They HAVE to be out of phase with each other, it simply won't work if they're not. That's exactly how your stove or dryer outlet is wired. That's exactly how that $220 'voltage converter' works. It's literally just two extension cords wired to a box that takes only the line wire from each and connects to a 240v outlet, and thus safer. Also, the higher the voltage, the smaller wire is needed to carry the same wattage. So imagine in Europe, their wires are half the size of ours, for the same duty. So actually, with the higher voltage, the same wires meant to carry a given wattage on 120v, would be twice the size needed to carry that wattage on 240v. |
Post# 424824 , Reply# 12   5/4/2020 at 03:28 (1,424 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA)   |   | |
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Post# 424825 , Reply# 13   5/4/2020 at 04:23 (1,424 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)   |   | |
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Yeah because every line load comes with it resistance which in turn creates heat. The higher the load, the more resistance, the hotter it gets. If you have old 1950 romex 12ga. wiring like in my house - probably not a good idea. Any house built after the mid 1980's is probably OK because of different electrical safety building codes. When in doubt - email a local electrician or have an inspection done.
I've never heard of that "Quick 220" thingy. I myself would rather trust the jumper box unit which is double fused and in a metal shroud, and it converts both ways. The reason that 220 adapter is expensive is because it is safe up to over 4,000 watts - it's mainly for severely large appliances and high draw equipment (which is why its on an industrial equipment site). I think its overkill for this task. I also suspect that it relies on the building's wiring to carry the resistance - which is why its in such a smaller case - it has no transformers to carry the load. That makes me suspicious of using it at home because its meant for industrial applications. There is no way to tell if your basic residential house is in or out of phase. It also requires you to buy two sets of 12-3 AWG extension cords which can run $20-$70 a piece depending on the feet needed. The Powerbright converter transformers are only $80 to handle a vacuum up to 2000 watts - it's worth it. www.amazon.com/PowerBrigh... It's literally the easiest way to go. Buy, plug in, use, no drama. It handles all the load heat and voltage converting within itself, so there is no risk on your house or no need to modify your wiring. It's also what Mr. ibaisaic uses any time he buys an American vacuum and it performs wonderfully. ?t=1253
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Post# 424885 , Reply# 15   5/5/2020 at 00:13 (1,423 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA)   |   | |
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Husky - the quick 220 thing will either work or not work, depending on whether you plugged into opposing phases. That's how you tell, really no big deal. No rewiring is needed. 99% of residences in North America have 2 phase power. As for the transformer, it would certainly work. But by technicality, the quick220 thing would actually be safer as it would be distributing the load between two circuits. Not that I mean to sing its praises, for that outrageous price, they can go screw themselves. Of course, with all of these things you need to be mindful of your electrical limitations.
Mike - 50 or 60 Hz should have no practical effect on a universal vacuum cleaner motor's speed. Only induction motors are affected by line frequency. |