Many countries have expat-friendly immigration policies, which include the ability to import your household effects duty-free. This makes it feasible to bring your American-made appliances, which are generally of better quality and lower cost than their counterparts elsewhere in the world. Here in Uruguay for example, clothes dryers are almost unheard-of, and dishwashers and washing machines are small and expensive.
But will your electrical appliances work overseas? Maybe not. The electricity in the U.S. is 120 volts, while the vast majority of the world runs on 220 to 240 volts-which will quickly ruin your appliances.
Fortunately, there’s an inexpensive fix, well worth your effort to implement. Using transformers you can vary the voltage up or down. You simply plug one side into the outlet in your overseas home, and then plug your appliances into the other side.
Let me address a few topics that can keep you out of trouble when using appliances overseas.
Plug adaptors are used to plug into an outlet with a different prong pattern. These do not change the voltage.
Electronic voltage converters: Sold as a travel item, these are for heating loads. They use an electronic circuit to reduce the effective voltage, but they do not lower the actual voltage. They’re great for lamps, irons, or coffee pots but will burn up a 120-volt TV set instantly.
Electric ranges and clothes dryers: In most countries electricity is expensive, and these appliances use lots of electricity. Also, many homes do not have sufficient wiring to run these appliances. Gas units may be a better alternative.
About frequency: The change from the U.S.’s 60-Hz to 50-Hz can cause motors to overload, particularly in low-end products. Personally I’ve had no problem, but I’m offering no guarantee.
Clocks and timers sometimes operate by counting the frequency, so if they were designed to use 60 Hz and you plug them into 50 Hz, you lose 10 minutes every hour…a serious defect in a clock. My coffee pot and range clocks work perfectly, but the bedside clock had to go.
There’s no cost-effective way to change frequency.
Before you plan to adapt…
Many electronic items work worldwide. My U.S.-purchased computer equipment, battery chargers, and laptop for example, all work on 220 Volts, 50 Hz. Check the rating on the device to be sure.
When planning your use of transformers-which are sold by wattage in an electrical supply store-consider how the items will be arranged physically and how much wattage they use, then plan your transformer sizing and placement accordingly. I have one by the stereo system, one for power tools in the garage, one for the washer and dryer, and one supplying half the outlets in the kitchen. If the wattage is not listed on the equipment, multiply the volts times the amps to get the approximate value. If in doubt about your installation, be sure to check with a qualified electrician.
Is it worth it? I spent $500 on transformers for the house, but the replacement cost of the appliances I brought was just over $9,500-if we could even find them. IL