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In general the answer has to be: "120 volt appliances won't run on 230 volts in Europe if they have been designed to run only on the lower voltage, i.e. on 120 volts, and nothing else."
Some small appliances - such as electric shavers, chargers for cellphones and camera batteries, etc. - have been designed to run safely on different service voltages. If that is the case, the appliance's rating plate will state the range of voltages it was designed to accept.
A licensed electrician or professional electrical engineer would be able to consider whether or not a particular 120 volts-only appliance could be modified safely to run at the higher voltage, but it won't usually be worth the cost of doing the work. That's because, in many cases where the power needed is low, such as (say) less than 30 watts, a cheap and simple "International Travel Adapter" is all that is needed to make it work from the standard power socket outlets in the country your are visiting.
But bear in mind that the mains frequency in Europe and other 230 Volt areas is 50 Hz (cycles per second) compared to 60 Hz in US, Canada and other 120 volt areas. Some 60 Hz appliances will work fine but others with simple motors will run too slowly on the lower frequency of 50 Hz.
It is not possibe to use a standard kind of International Travel Adapter for high-powered appliances - such as electric kettles - because the current they take is much too high. 120 volt appliances having powers from (say) 100 watts to 2000 watts (2kW), or more, would need an expensive item called a "Transformer" or "Auto-transformer" to enable them to be used on a 230 volt supply.
Such Transformers are much bigger and heavier than an International Travel Adapter and also, it must be said, they are much more expensive: depending on the power to be converted, they can cost from US$100 upwards, even second-hand.
So most folks would just buy an appliance locally in the 230 volt 50 Hz area. After all, in Europe a cheap electric kettle can cost less than US$20 and a really fancy 230 volt, 3 kW kettle can be bought for under US$100.
Another answer
This is from a different user: SOME small low-wattage appliances or electronics items have built-in converter circuitry with semiconductors, transformers and resistors, etc. inside them. This is why you can plug such low-wattage appliances or electronics items into your wall and not have them "fry"... The built in converter circuitry converts the supply voltage to the right level.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 16y agoNo. It is not rated or designed for the higher voltage. Chances are it will catch fire.
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Would US appliance's like a clothes washer that run on 120 volts work on European 230 volts?
Definitely not !! it would be dangerous to use 120 volt equipment on a 230 volt supply, it would either blow the fuse or blow up . . You need a transformer to convert 230 volts to 120 volts, and you need one of the right rating. For a washing machine that might be quite a big transformer. We have 110 volt transformers for power tools but they are not big enough.
Are Household appliances AC or DC?
kettles generally run on alternating current (AC) as do most household appliances. although the heating element can run on either alternating or direct current (ac or dc) as long as the voltage is the same. for example if you were to plug your kettle into your car battery it wouldn't do very much if anything. however if you were to wire ten car batteries in series ( thus creating 120 volts dc) the kettle would heat up as it normally would.
Will UK electrical appliances work in Ireland?
In general, no, European appliances will not work in the US. Small appliances will have a Eurocord plug, which expects 230 volts and 50 Hz. With a transformer, you can convert a US outlet to a Euro outlet, but for many appliances the difference between 50 Hz and 60 Hz will prevent them working in the US.
Would 230 volt item applicance work on 220 volt in south Africa?
A step-up transformer would be required to supply 230 volts from a 220 volts source from South Africa.
What type of electric circuit connection is given to appliances in home?
There should be a connection point on the appliance. This needs to be hardwired into an electric box, often with a disconnect or breaker. In some cases you can buy or make a power cord that plugs into a dedicated outlet with a mating connection appropriate to the voltage and amperage requirements of the appliance. If the service does not already exist, you may want to employ an electrician.
Would 220 volts 60 hz appliances work on 110 volts 50 hz and vice versa?
No it would not.
Can hard wire appliances in US work in Europe?
Unlikely- European countries run on 240 volts which is about double the US standard.
Can 230 Volts rating TV operated on 150 Volts?
It would probably not work on 150 volts. Many televisions can be adjusted to work on 230 v (Europe) or 120 v (USA).
Why is it better for some appliances to work from batteries?
Some appliances are better adapted to batteries based on portability. Batteries allow significant portability. Appliances that remain in place, like a refrigerator, would not need batteries.
Will your Canadian appliances work in NamibiaWasherDryerFridgeStove and Dishwasher?
No, the voltage is 220 volts at a frequency of 50 Hertz.
Would US appliance's like a clothes washer that run on 120 volts work on European 230 volts?
Definitely not !! it would be dangerous to use 120 volt equipment on a 230 volt supply, it would either blow the fuse or blow up . . You need a transformer to convert 230 volts to 120 volts, and you need one of the right rating. For a washing machine that might be quite a big transformer. We have 110 volt transformers for power tools but they are not big enough.
Does us electrical appliances work in France?
Not without a step up transformer. The U.S is 120 volts at 60 Hz and France is 240 volts at 50 Hz.
Will Australian electrical appliances work in US?
No, not without a converter. Australia's current is 240 volts at 50 hertz.
Are Household appliances AC or DC?
kettles generally run on alternating current (AC) as do most household appliances. although the heating element can run on either alternating or direct current (ac or dc) as long as the voltage is the same. for example if you were to plug your kettle into your car battery it wouldn't do very much if anything. however if you were to wire ten car batteries in series ( thus creating 120 volts dc) the kettle would heat up as it normally would.
If you buy a Wii in US will it work in Europe?
no because in Europe the PowerPoint is made differently and with an adapter your wii will blow up because in Europe they use more volts and with the wii from usa they use less volts
Is it true that all electrical appliances in US work on 110 volts?
No, appliances up to 1500 watts run on 120 v, while for larger equipment 240 v is available in most properties.
Will British electrical appliances work in US?
I was a US Government employee. Me and my family were sent to England where we resided for 7 years. We shipped all our household goods with us including all our US electrical appliances. Once there, we purchased transformers which come in various wattage ratings. The transformer actually converts the 220voltage down to the required 120 volts for US products. Anything with a motor would only be turning at 50 cycles a second vise the 60 cycles of US current. This would only affect the playing speed of say a record player (obselete now) but radios, toasters, coffee pots or anything of that nature would work fine. Hope this has helped. You need a transformer, as mentioned above. Note that for running UK appliances in the US that is not necissarily true, as the US has 120/240V service. You'd just need a special outlet for your 240V appliances. +++ Some, but by no means all, electronic appliances have 110/240V switches to allow use on either system.
