3 Feb
2011
3 Feb
'11
10:29 a.m.
Only a week behind, now...
I would think a bench drill press wouldn't be classed as a 'portable'
power tool, and thus would be 230V. Certainly small lathes have 230V
motors (and larger ones have 415V 3 phase motors).
But routers (the woodworking tool, not the network switch :-)) would
be 110V. As are electric drills, angle grinders, etc.
Well, a lot of portable tools - especially the ones you get in DIY shops
- are 230V. But the good quality ones have 110 versions for industrial use.
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.
So if you were to go to a store that sells routers or maybe a benchtop
drill press with a 1hp induction motor, that would be 115 volts? >> 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.
Or the older ones have a pair of 110V 15A outlets to BS196. Yes, that
is what I have...
>> 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).
The BS4343 plugs and sockets - well, EN 60309 nowadays - are
colloquially known as "commando" plugs. I have no idea why.
(FWIW 60309 is an IEC standard, as are all EN standards with 6xxxx
numbers. So it should be valid in the US, in theory at least.)
Philip.