OT: step down voltage converters

You don';t say where you're located... In the UK, all 'portable' power tools used industirally (for example an electric dril lused ona buildingsite) must be 110V units, powered from an isolating transformer with the outptu centre-tapped to ground. The idea is that if there's an insulation failuer, the worst shock the user could receive is 55V, which is unlikely to be fatal. Over here, portabel transformers giving 110V are quite common. They are often rated at 3000VA (the maximum we can get from a UK 13A socket outlet) and have a pair of 110V 16A output sockets. these are not the small US tupe, but large, 3 pin ones. When I learnt about such things they were cakked 'BS4343' sockets, I am told theres now a CEN number which I can't remember. The socket outlets and plugs are yellow in colour (this specifies the voltage, blue = 220V or so, red = 415V 3 phase. plugs and sockets of different colours will not fit together for obvious safety reasons). Even if you're `just' an enthusiast, scuh a transformer is worth having. Some power tools, particularly, the industrial-spcification ones only come in 110V versions. And although the output is centre-tapped to earth rather than having one side earthed, the transformer is useful for running US stuff over here, at least for testing (I made up a cable with a BS4343 plug on one end and a US socket on the other). These transfoemrs are not particuarly cheap (I would guess perhaps $200 or so), and they are not light, so shipping might be expensive. But they are designed to run power tools. -tony