22 Jan
2011
22 Jan
'11
12:07 p.m.
Can anyone recommend a good step-down voltage converter? I'd like to
be able to plug 110 power tools into 220 european style outlets. Some
of the power tools are 1.5hp induction motors, while others have the
typical universal motors. I'll need a high-wattage unit. At least
2000watts I think, whatever is the maximum for a 20amp 110 outlet.
Amazon has one for something like $85. But I'd happily pay twice that
or more for one built like a tank with high quality components. Can
anyone suggest one?
brian
22 Jan
22 Jan
12:55 p.m.
Can anyone recommend a good step-down voltage converter? I'd like to
be able to plug 110 power tools into 220 european style outlets. Some
of the power tools are 1.5hp induction motors, while others have the
typical universal motors. I'll need a high-wattage unit. At least
2000watts I think, whatever is the maximum for a 20amp 110 outlet.
Amazon has one for something like $85. But I'd happily pay twice that
or more for one built like a tank with high quality components. Can
anyone suggest one?
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
2:44 p.m.
On Sat, Jan 22, 2011 at 11:55 AM, Tony Duell <ard at p850ug1.demon.co.uk> wrote:
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.
The 110 lines here are usually rates at 15 amps, but can sometimes be
rated at 20 amps with (or sometimes without) a special plug with one
of the spades rotated 90 degrees. I'd like to be able to handle the
20 amps, although 15 would probably be enough.
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.
This sounds like what I'm after. Can you point me at one online somewhere?
brian
3:50 p.m.
On Sat, Jan 22, 2011 at 11:55 AM, Tony Duell <ard at p850ug1.demon.co.uk> wrote:
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.
While the socket is rated at 16A, it will pass more for a short period.
Certainly I've sene an angle grider which can take 28A (!) under surge
conditions, and that was suppleid with a '16A' plug and runs off a normal
transformer.
There is a 32A version of the connextor (and I beleive 63A and 125A ones,
but I have never seen them, at any votlage rating). It's less common, and
I've never seen a portable transforemr with it fitted. There are larger
transformers, 5kVA rating or more, but I doubt you'd be able to feed the
input of that.
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.
The 110 lines here are usually rates at 15 amps, but can sometimes be
rated at 20 amps with (or sometimes without) a special plug with one
of the spades rotated 90 degrees. I'd like to be able to handle the
20 amps, although 15 would probably be enough. 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.
This sounds like what I'm after. Can you point me at one online somewhere? 
5:22 p.m.
cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org wrote:
> This sounds like what I'm after. Can you
point me at one online
> somewhere?
First hit on google:
http://www.airlinktransformers.com/sitetransformers.asp
?120 (~$200) for a 3kVA 230V -> 2x110V unit.
14kg :-(
Antonio
9:37 p.m.
On 22/01/2011 20:50, Tony Duell wrote:
Yes, it's only portable tools that have to be 110V. Anything mounted on
a bench or floor-fixed, and not on a building site, is likely to be 230V
single-phase (with neutral at approximately ground potential) if it's
small, say 1HP or less, or 415V three-phase if larger. 110V is used for
portable lighting and other things as well.
> On Sat, Jan 22, 2011 at 11:55 AM, Tony Duell
<ard at p850ug1.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>> 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?
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). There is a 32A version of the connextor (and I beleive
63A and 125A ones,
but I have never seen them, at any votlage rating). It's less common, and
I've never seen a portable transforemr with it fitted. There are larger
transformers, 5kVA rating or more, but I doubt you'd be able to feed the
input of that.
The biggest I have in use is 32A and I do have quite a few of them, but
our Estates Department have 63A ones. IEC60309 is the standards number
Tony was thinking of; the connectors are sometimes called "Commando"
plugs, because that's a trade name owned by one of the most common makes.
>> 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.
> This sounds like what I'm after. Can you point me at one online somewhere?
Yes, they are useful; I have one at home. Prices range from about UKP50
to several times that (and much more for large site transformers, which
can be almost a metre cube).
Take a look at
http://uk.farnell.com/pro-elec/p20-2/transformer-site-2-x-16a-2kva/dp/13550…
or
http://uk.farnell.com/clairtronic/10260/transformer-isolation-2250va/dp/149…
and you'll see some fairly small examples (the second one is similar to
my one at home, except mine's 3kVA). Click on "Product range" to see
more. The "Technical Data Sheet" is no help if you want to know how
heavy they are, but mine is heavy enough that I'd not normally try to
carry anything else at the same time :-)
Or look up "site transformers" on Amazon.co.uk (not on amazon.com).
--
Pete Peter Turnbull
Network Manager
University of York
3 Feb
3 Feb
1:29 p.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.
4 Feb
4 Feb
2:13 p.m.
The BS4343 plugs and sockets - well, EN 60309 nowadays
- are
colloquially known as "commando" plugs. I have no idea why.
'Commando' is the trade name used by MK (a large manufactuer of UK
electrical fittings) for that range of commectors. In the same wat that
their stanard white plastic light switches and sockets are 'Logic', their
consumer untis (fuseboxes...) are 'Sentry' and so on.
I must admit that although I've got an MK catalogue somewhere and had
come across that name, I was a little confused when I went ot an
electifcal wholesaler and asked for a '110V 16A BS4343 plug' and the
salesman said 'Do you mean a Commando plug?' Fortunately he showed me one
amd I said 'Yes, that's what I want'/
-tony
4917
days inactive
4930
days old
7 comments
5 participants
participants (5)
-
arcarlini＠iee.org -
ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk -
brianlanning＠gmail.com -
pete＠dunnington.plus.com -
philip＠axeside.co.uk