111op

Hi, this isn't a travel related question really, but I figured people here may know.

How "safe" is it to convert European voltage to US voltage via a converter or transformer?

I'm considering buying a lamp. If I buy it in Berlin, I think that it will be at least $200 cheaper. But I'll have to convert the voltages.

Can this turn into a fire hazard?

What are people's experiences?

Someone suggested to me rewiring the entire appliance. I'm pretty sure that's going to eat up the $200 cost savings -- unless someone convinces me otherwise.

Of course if there's a real danger or nuisance, I shouldn't bother.

Thanks.

J62

You don't need to convert the voltage from 220 to 110.

The lamp itself doesn't consume electricity, the bulb does.

Without knowing the exact lamp here are some general things to know.


1. To use the lamp in the US you'll need to check the bulb socket. What size bulb screws into the lamp. If it is a standard size available in the US then that part is good to go.

2. You'll need to know about the wiring. The wiring will be rated for both voltage and current. Since you'd be using it at 110V, the voltage rating would be no problem. A 100W bulb at 110V uses twice the current as a similar bulb at 220V.

If you are only planning to use a 100W or so bulb in the lamp then there will be no issue using the same wiring. It's just 1 AMP. Normal lamp cord is rated at least 10X higher than that.

3. Finally, you'd need to change the plug. This is a simple $1 part at any hardware store and a 5min job to cut off the European plug and install the US version.

The only thing I would be concerned about is if the wiring on the lamp were flimsy, but that should not be the case as European (CE mark) codes are high quality.

111op

Hi, to be more specific, I'm thinking about the Bauhaus lamp from Bauhaus Archiv:

http://www.bauhaus.de/shop/produktkatalog_leuchten.htm

This is the link to the lamp at MoMA:

http://tinyurl.com/2fjwof

You can see the price difference (even with exchange rate taken into account). The MoMA lamp accommodates up to 75W light bulb.

I tried to get more info on Technolumen's website (it's the manufacturer, but I can't seem to get the specs).

I'm really clueless, J62.

Re your #1, I never thought about the bulb socket. Now to be sure, can I just use a European bulb (I don't know if there's any difference)? Will that be fried if I plug in the lamp?

#3: If I don't change the plug, I can just use one of these things that converts the plug? I mean, for example, convert from round pins to flat pins, etc.?

I don't really understand #2. (I really don't know anything about these things.) Are you suggesting that I don't need to do anything if it's a 100W bulb or less? Most likely according to MoMA's website, I'll probably just use a 75W bulb. But this goes back to #1. Do I try to use a European bulb in case the bulb sockets are different?

Thanks!

J62

A quick google search shows the same? lamp avail for as little as $260.

http://www.artemiadesign.it/nofrm/in...amp;Valuta=USD

Perhaps there is something special about the ones sold at the museum shops but I can't tell.

This is a simple table lamp (as far as the electrical part goes).

I would simply buy the lamp wherever I found it for the best price - no need to buy at a museum shop. If it has a European plug, I'd cut it off and put a US plug on it. Staff at any Ace or TrueValue hw store will show you how to do this in 5min.

It looks like it takes a standard size bulb base - just use a US bulb. If you use a Euro bulb in the US it'll simply put out less light. It's no different than putting your dimmer switch at 1/2.

111op

Thanks. I think the lamp is copyrighted:

http://www.tecnolumen.de/14/Wagenfel..._Imitation.htm

Most likely there's a standard price established by Technolumen. Of course it's just a guess. But I doubt that this is a case that you can find 50% off for no apparent reason -- especially in Europe when a lot of things, including prices, are standardized.

The question would be like whether you want to buy plaid clothes that's not actually Burberry, for example.

Gardyloo

The nature of the socket is key. If it's an E14 (European standard) socket you'll need to buy E14 replacement bulbs (available online and at some larger lighting shops) or possibly a cheap adapter that lets you use "candelabra" bulbs in the lamp.

If it's some sort of bayonet socket you'll need to find a source of bayonet bulbs.

The power equation is easy - Volts x amps = Watts. So if your line voltage is 110 (usually 110 - 120 in most places) then divide the light bulb wattage (say 75) by 120 and you'll see how many amps it pulls (around 0.7.) In Europe, with 240v line current, the same bulb would only need half that; in either case the internal wiring in the lamp will be rated for considerably more.

To be safe, however, once you plug it in at home, keep checking the cord and lamp housing to see if anything is getting hot, just in case.

In the worst of all cases (unlikely) you'd need to have a lamp repair shop change out the socket and switch for US-compatible pieces, a quick and cheap job in most cases.

111op

By the way, thanks for that website. There'll be shipping costs associated though. I don't know how much that would be. It's based in Italy. Most likely I bet the lamp is not identical, but well, as you say, people probably can't tell what the difference is.

Maybe I should do some more research.

111op

Thanks -- so it sounds like the Euro vs. American bulb socket issue isn't really that material. As long as I can find a bulb that fits, it should be ok. I'm glad I asked. I'd never have thought about the bulbs.

I can understand the Volts x Amps = Watts equation (thanks for that equation). But why is it that if I use a European bulb in the US it will be half as dim? Isn't this true also of the US bulb?

I mean -- doesn't the dimness comes from the voltage? If both bulbs have the same watts, then wouldn't they be equally bright?

Out of curiosity, what would happen with a US -> Europe lamp? Is this also as easy? But I get the impression that that's harder. Why is that? It seems like appliances get fried.

I feel like I'm missing something.

J62

The wattage rating of a bulb is specified for a voltage.

A 100W bulb @ 220V would be equivalent to ~25W at 110V.

Power (Watts) = Voltage squared/resistance.

The resistance is set by the size/thickness of the filament in the bulb.

A European bulb rated for 220V would work fine at 110V but just be dim. A US bulb running on 220V would burn out fast, as the 220V would force too much current through the filament.

ira

HI 111,

A: US bulbs and European bulbs have different threads.

You will need to change the socket to accomodate US bulbs or get a supply of European bulbs.

If you use European bulbs, they will be significantly dimmer, because they are made for 220V, not 110.

B: The plug on the lamp cord will be different. You will have to replace it.

You needn't worry about fire hazard.

111op

Thanks!

I feel like I'm getting an electrical lesson here.

My next question is a little vague -- what's the measure of "power usage"? Amps? Watts? If I use the European bulb in the US and it's dimmer, is it still comsuming "the same amount of power"? Or 1/4 of what it would in Europe? Is it consuming 1/4 the power of a US bulb that's 4x the wattage?

hopscotch

I have several lamps purchased in Germany.

All you need to do is convert the plug to an American version. You can do this with a plug adapter, round to flats, or by cutting the wire and installing an American plug which you can buy at any hardware store.

Then screw in an American 110 volt bulb. They fit. You have light!

blackduff

I brought Canadian lamps to Europe and, other than changing the bulbs, it worked fine. The harp system isn't used as often in Europe but this can be worked around.

But, when you bring a European lamp to North America, you can have a problem with the size/caliber of the wires. Are you old enough to remember the older cars with six volts. Their cables were very fat. Then when the cars changed over to the 12 volt system, the cables were much thinner.

When I lived in Spain, they sold lamps with wires almost as skinny as speaker wires. Maybe the European lamp might be equipped enough for useage with the lower voltage. But if it starts to smoke in the middle of the night, plug this out.

European labes what can be used. Make sure this will be safe.

Blackduff

111op

I wish that there were a manual somewhere I can read. I what to think that I'm pretty intelligent, but this sort of thing confuses me. I've never owned a car, by the way, so that analogy is not helping. And what's the "harp system"?

Now, to go back to the issue of the bulb socket -- if I can just screw in an American bulb, then the dimness issue goes away, right? Because according to J62, this has something to do with the resistance of the bulb.

It's to get this straight before thinking about whether I want to plonk down $600.

hopscotch

111op,

Some people here on Fodor's have really complicated this issue.

I have three German lamps working in the USA -- a floor lamp, a wall lamp, and a hanging lamp. They are all unique beautiful designs in wood. Never a problem if you do as I did, as discussed above. Been there and done that. It is a no brainer. Just do it.

I don't see any of the techno-theorists mentioning anything to the effect that they have actually brought a German lamp to the USA.

blackduff

111op
I have a Canadian lamp behind my desk and it works fine with European light bulbs. The lamp was brought from Montreal in 1978 and it's been working fine in Sweden, Spain, Switzerland and now France.

Bringing a lamp from Europe to the US is a different matter.

The harp I mentioned is the method for attaching the shades. Some French lamps use the Harp method of hanging a shade. This doesn't make any diffence with your choice of lamp.

Blackduff

logos999

Yes, the sockets are the same. Theoretically, the wires could be to thin. But in reality, you won't have a problem, just use american bulbs as hopscotch said.

mindylt1

I don't know much about electricity, but here's my experience:

I moved from the US to Germany and brought all of my household goods, including lamps. All I had to do was plug the American plugs into a plug adapter, and screw in a 220 bulb. My lamps have worked without problem for the past 4 years.

The only problems were with a few small decorative lamps that use speciality bulbs. I haven't always been able to find bulbs to match. But for lamps that use "regular" bulbs, the 220 bulbs have fit into my American lamps just fine.

I realize that you're hoping to go from 220 to 110 rather than 110 to 220 (as I did). But I don't really see why there would be much difference. From my experience, I would guess you'd just need a 220 to 110 plug adapter and a 110 bulb.

Good luck!

ira

Hi 111,

>My next question is a little vague -- what's the measure of "power usage"?

Watts.

However, It won't help you to go into the equations.

A 100W European bulb plugged into 110V will be about 40W.

If the sockets are the same, you need change only the plug and use US bulbs.

We purchased a lamp in Italy about 4 years ago. They wired it for the US because the sockets wouldn't fit US bulbs.

Heimdall

Yes, you are getting more advice than you really need.

All you have to worry about is the type of bulb socket the lamp has. If it is a screw-in socket, American 110V bulbs will fit and work fine. If it is a bayonet socket, you will have problems finding bulbs that fit.

You don't even have to change the plug if it is the European two-pin type - just fit an adapter.