I just moved to Europe and brought my clothes dryer with me, I want to know how I can make it work here? Since I understand it ran on a pour prong 240V outlet in the U.S what should I do now to get it to run on a European 220V outlet?
2007-08-16 06:03:47 · 6 answers · asked by minxman99 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
I hate to say this, but it depends. Some motors and dryer elements may be designed for universal voltage and frequecy, but not all. You will need to check if it will operate at 220/240 VAC @ 50/60 Hz.
There is a voltage difference and also a frequency difference between the U.S. and most European countries. In the U.S. you've probably heard things like 220/240 VAC @ 60 Hz, but in Europe it is usually 220 VAC @ 50 Hz.
In the U.S. the 220/240 VAC is made up of two 110/120 VAC wires (or legs) with a single common, but in Europe the 220 VAC is on only one wire with a common. The typical U.S. dryer uses 110 VAC for the motor and 220/240 VAC for the heating element. The European circuit would not provide that 110/120 V leg without some conversion.
You may be able to pickup a converter, but to handle the current that an electric dryer draws it will probably be very expensive.
That brings up another point, the circuit breaker of the typical European 220 V circuit is going to be rated at about half that of a U.S. 110 V circuit breaker because at 220 volts the current flow is only about half. However, a U.S. dryer that runs on 240 VAC draws 20 to 30 amps on each leg. So the European circuit would have to be rated for the higher current draw even it you did run it through a converter.
2007-08-16 06:43:30 · answer #1 · answered by Jim B 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son in law was stationed in Germany and had to use special transformers/converters to operate American appliances as far as 240 volts is concerned a European member of this forum would be better qualified to answer.
2007-08-16 11:45:40 · answer #2 · answered by petethen2 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
American ones with a heating element that runs on 220v still have a 60 Hz motor, a lamp, and a control panel that run on 110V.
2007-08-16 06:16:08 · answer #3 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you cannot. in the US a dryer runs off of 60hrz cycles. in uk 240 volts runs on 50hrz cycles.
2007-08-16 06:13:35 · answer #4 · answered by Don k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You travel with a dryer??? How emotionally attached are you to a dryer?
2007-08-16 10:41:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
well i honustly think ur screwd on that one un uess u can find some way to get it reword down to there powere level good luck
2007-08-16 06:13:22 · answer #6 · answered by silverlordanubis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋