I am moving to the US from the UK what is the deal with taking UK electrical appliances over?

Question

I need to know whether my computer / hifi / television and projector tv will work in the us. THey were all purchased in the US and run on 230 volts

I need to know whether my computer / hifi / television and projector tv will work in the us. THey were all purchased in the US and run on 230 volts. In view of some answers posted I would like to specify I am aware you can get a plu convertor - but I was under the impression this only worked with smaller items such as phone chargers / laptops. I am trying to find out what would be covered and what if anything cannot be used in the US

Sorry I was meant to say they were all purchased in the UK. Apologies for confusion

Answer 1

Do you know what the voltage is there? It's 110v. You do the math.

Answer 2

Hi

The US uses 120v whilst the UK uses 230-240v. Some devices will work on either if they have the right pwer supply, the device should have a label on it stating this if it says something like 110-240 @ 50-60hz you should be fine. Typically things that use the block transformers for low voltage and power will have this capability EG laptop power supplies. For these all you need is a socket adapter from 3 to 3 pin.

For larger domestic devices you might have a switch on the PSU to swap from 110 to 240. If not these wont work unless you use a seperate voltage transformer to change between 110 and 240. You can get these easily from the web, but make sure you know what ampage or watage (power) is needed as you could fry the transformer if it is too small.

OK the voltage is the easy bit. TV is another matter in UK the signal is PAL, in the US its NTSC. These are NOT compatible. If you have a relitiely new TV you should have the option to choose between PAL/NTSC and other formats. If not its useless and you should buy a new TV locally, unless you are only going to use your own sources from existing DVD etc that is the same format.

Personnally I would use this as a good excuse to buy a new set up Plasma screen, surround sound, new reciever, new bank loan!!! You know the drill, good luck with the move.

Answer 3

Why do you say twice that all your items wer purchased in the US and run on 230 volts? Don't you mean UK???

First of all the US voltage is 120 and Uk is 230, so you would need a step up transformer. You are correct, most transformers are for low power items, up to 200 watts or so, larger ones are available but are expensive and bulky and will not convert 60/50 hertz.

2) TV system is NTSC and we are PAL so it would not work, even if the voltage was right. This applies to tv/dvd/projector etc.

3) All these items you can buy new in US at about half the UK price, so there would be absolutely no point in shipping used uk stuff over there. So sell it before you go, if you get half price you're on the right side, and buy new up to date gear when you get there.

Answer 4

US power is 120 volt 60 Hz AC. Look for selector switches on your equipment. I just checked my computer power supply and it has a 120/230 volt selector switch. Any switch you have will probably be fairly close to where the AC power cord enters the device. Some units will auto detect but such features should be noted on some form of label or sticker on the equipment. Additionally there should be a sticker that defines the power draw in Amps or heat dissipation in Watts. Frequently that label will also list voltage/s required and how to use each.

If you have retained the paperwork that was included with each device all that sort of information will normally be on one of last pages in the booklet.

You mentioned hifi, if you have a turntable it is probably frequency sensitive and will play slightly faster in the US than England. If that is the case, and you fix the volt problem, the manufacturer can supply a different sized drive capstan.

Can't think of anything else right now. Good luck and welcome to the USA.

Answer 5

Your computer may have a convertible voltage switch - my desktop did. Your other appliances might do too, check the equipment and double check with the manufacturer.

If they don't then best advice is to flog the lot on ebay before you go, save on the shipping fees and buy new stuff when you get there - it'll be cheaper than here anyway.

I lived in the US for four years and have had plenty of experience trying to use UK appliances with just a plug convertor, it doesn't tend to end well. Things are just slow, inefficient and frustrating.

Answer 6

I'm currently working in the US and i live in the UK. I can't use any of my UK electrical products in the US and UK voltage is so much higher.

My UK straightenning irons get luke warm instead of red hot out here. The only way to do it is with a Transformer from an electrical store such as Maplins.

Hope this helps.

Answer 7

Our standard receptacle voltage is 110-120 volts.
So your 220 volt appliances will not work in our standard receptacles. We do have 220 run into the homes, to the breaker box and then it is split off to 110 volts.

Answer 8

Greetings!
Houses are wired to the panel in 240, where they split into 120. It would not be feasible to use the 240 appliances as rewiring the house for 240 is to costly.
Your voltage is direct current ours is alternating.

Good Luck

Answer 9

Different voltage, 110 vs 240, not worth trying to work around it - electrical appliances are generally significantly cheaper in the US anyway. If you plan on moving back to th eUK in time, it might be worth buying multi-region/voltage systems when you are there. Not available in usual retail outlets but available immigrant community stores (e.g. Chinatown in NYC).

Answer 10

ALL European stuff don't work in the US trust me i have tried some things even end up sparking or making smoke buy a new TV ant stuff when you get here...