I am a US military member stationed in the UK and I brought my US 220v hot tub with me and now I cannot find an electrician who will hook it up for me. I'm not an electrician, so I've no clue what I'm doing. Any help anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated.
2007-04-03 01:41:08 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You will find it to be very costly to make the conversion, as power in the US runs at 60Hz (cycles per second), and European power runs at 50Hz. If your hot tub only heated water, there would be no problem making the switch. However, most hot tubs have motorized water pumps that shoot jets of water. That motor would most likely not be compatible with the frequency change unless it says specifically on the nameplate on the motor itself. If you use the wrong frequency on an incompatible motor, the results could be disastrous.
2007-04-03 01:56:18 · answer #1 · answered by Ken K 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You"re looking at a 60 Hz electrical motor made in the good ol USA--and you are in 50 Hz country. This may not be a problem at all --look on the motor "nameplate", and it will tell you if the motor will run on either cycles(50 or 60). I kinda suspect it will run just fine on either--but , inspect to be certain. If it will ---- then go on the net to look for an adapter plug. Being around water and electricity can be highly dangerous for shocks , and even death. A "ground fault circuit interrupter" is a complete MUST!!! This device shuts power off in just a few "nanoseconds" in case of a ground ---like your wet body. It is required here, and I would think there also. Keep searching for a buddy who can hook you up--since as you said---you are not a electrician. -----And if you do "play around" and get it to operate--with-out a electrician"s help---just on your own---unplug the thing and insure all electrical (live wires) wires are cleared far away from it before you have a party. Good Luck and stay safe.
2007-04-03 08:07:33 · answer #2 · answered by Spock 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ken gave a good answer. Check if your pump motor is rated for 50 cycles. You should be able to get an electrician from the military base to help you out. I know when I was in the service we all were pretty good helping out other guys.
You'll also need a disconnect within line of sight of the tub. I would strongly reccommend a Ground fault circuit breaker on that disconnect to protect you in case of a short. You will have to run wiring of suitable size to handle the current that the tub draws. A #10 gauge for 30A, #8 for 40-45A, #6 for 55A. The wiring should have 2 hots, a neutral, and a grd. That would be called for example, #8-3/with grd.
It is a lot of current and voltage, do get help from one of the guys at the base that has some knowledge.
I also know UK has some pretty strong laws on doing your own wiring, you may need to get a licensed electrician to run the juice for you. Good luck to you.
2007-04-03 02:36:25 · answer #3 · answered by Fordman 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
To add to the comments above if there is a motor in the unit it is probably 120 volts. There is no neutral as such in the UK system to so cannot get the required 120 volts for the motor without going to a step down transformer.
2007-04-03 05:05:54 · answer #4 · answered by frozen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
does it have a plug or does it need to be hardwired?
if it has a plug there are adaptors available to plug your plug into the socket.
if it is hardwired, you should really know what you are doing or get an electrician.
I thought US was 110V not 220, but if both are 220V they should work together quite easily.
I don't know what frequency they are but if it is different that can effect things like motors but not usually electronics or heating elements (a motor would run at a different speed)
2007-04-03 01:56:44 · answer #5 · answered by Mrkaras 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
you dont
2007-04-03 03:15:06 · answer #6 · answered by simonjohnlaw 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋