EU power to US power

[Vaskerville]

I have a very nice collection of Festool power tools which I purchased in Europe (I'm currently living in Africa). We are moving to Haiti next year and I'd like to know if my EU Festools will work with US style power outlets. Is it as simple as a plug change? I've seen other answers in here but nothing definitive...

Thanks

 

[ajones]

euro voltage 230v US voltage is 110v so your tools will not work without a step up transformer which will bring its own issues depending on where you want to use the tools

 

[SittingElf]

I have a very nice collection of Festool power tools which I purchased in Europe (I'm currently living in Africa). We are moving to Haiti next year and I'd like to know if my EU Festools will work with US style power outlets. Is it as simple as a plug change? I've seen other answers in here but nothing definitive...

Thanks

NO... you cannot simply change plugs. Haiti is 110V 60Hz, the same as the USA.
That being said, you CAN use your powered tools that are EU voltage rated (220V 50Hz) if you purchase a 110to220V step-up transformer, and plug into it. Transformers are available online and are relatively inexpensive. Amazon has a ton of them.  You want the Step-UP transformer, not a Step-DOWN, although some will convert both ways (That's what I use for my Euro tools in the States).  You must insure that you buy a transformer that exceeds the wattage and amperage that your tool requires... sort of like a circuit breaker requirement.

Now, there is a second consideration:
Europe operates on 50Hz cycles. The US and others operate on 60Hz Cycles.  Many of Festool's products are designed to operate on both. You have to look at the data plate on your tool to determine that. If it operates on either it will show something like "220V 50/60Hz".  If it only has "220V 50Hz", then you have an additional consideration.

Specifically, if the tool is only designed for 50Hz, it WILL work, but speeds and cooling may become an issue. You have to be very careful not to overload the tool as it could overheat at full power. The opposite is true for 60Hz machines operating on 50Hz.  Most modern computers and other newer electronics operate a switching mechanism for both voltage and cycles, but power tools do NOT as a rule)

You can also use your 15/18V battery chargers with a transformer. The batteries don't care how they are charged. They just want the juice!

I can tell you that all the latest corded power Festool products I bought in Germany work just fine with a transformer. The ones I bought at least, are rated for 50/60HZ, including the Conturo, Vac-Sys, and TCL3 220V 18V chargers.

Be aware that warranties may be affected if using a 220V product on a transformer.

Good luck, and let us know how you ended up proceeding.  There is always the option of selling you existing tools in SA or Europe, where they command near new pricing, and then replacing with fresh, new car smelling Festools from North America! [big grin]

Cheers,

Frank (Currently ALSO in Africa...Nigeria)

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Specifically, if the tool is only designed for 50Hz, it WILL work, but speeds and cooling may become an issue. You have to be very careful not to overload the tool as it could overheat at full power. The opposite is true for 60Hz machines operating on 50Hz.  Most modern computers and other newer electronics operate a switching mechanism for both voltage and cycles, but power tools do NOT as a rule)

This information applies to induction motors, such as what you will have on a tablesaw. Universal motors are not significantly affected by frequency, which is why they are given the name "universal" in the first place. The brushes and commutator in the motor ensure that the rotor and stator coils are always opposing polarity regardless what the polarity is on the incoming AC (or even DC) power.

What might be affected is the frequency of the electronic speed control, but this depends on what that frequency happens to be in the design. Typically this internal clock frequency is well above 50/60 hertz, so it is generally immune to changes of the input. In designs where the clock frequency is close to the incoming frequency, then it is typically triggered by the incoming frequency, so it is still immune. The worst case situation would be if the two frequencies were very close, but not exact with each other. In that case you could see a fluctuation rhythm in the power output, but that's about it.

 

[Vaskerville]

Hi Frank - I've been living in Mauritania for the past five years.

Thanks for all the answers folks - this is becoming more clear.

We're still debating whether we ship them to Haiti or to our place in Spain...

 

[weekendwarrior]

What about power switches, e.g. the CMS on/off switch?  Is there any difference in the circuitry between the EU and NA versions of the switch (plug obviously different), or is the circuitry different in just the power tool?

 

[wow]

What about power switches, e.g. the CMS on/off switch?  Is there any difference in the circuitry between the EU and NA versions of the switch (plug obviously different), or is the circuitry different in just the power tool?

As I understand it, the CMS switch is not just a simple switch - it's a magnetic contactor. I don't personally know if the CMS contactor is voltage or frequency sensitive, or if it's a 'universal' style... but someone here will know.

Rather than modify everything that you have (other than items that can be 'switched' with a cord change) why not just use transformers as has been suggested?

Or - if your move is permanent - consider selling your EU machines before you move and buy new USA (and territories) ones when you get here. You can likely get pretty close to what you paid for the tools originally, and besides saving the cost/hassle of shipping you'd be getting new tools designed to run in your new country - and a warranty?!

 

[hopper]

I am not an electrician but, in Canada (and probably the US as well) it is easy to get 220/240 volts from  our 110/120 volt system without using a step up transformer.  There are 2- 120 volt lines and 1- neutral line at the electrical panel in all houses. To get 220 you use both 110 lines and the neutral.  All houses have both 110/120 and 220/240 available eg electric dryers, water heaters, baseboard heaters and cooking stoves are all 220/240.  The 60 hertz vs 50 hertz is another issue.

 

[wow]

I am not an electrician but, in Canada (and probably the US as well) it is easy to get 220/240 volts from  our 110/120 volt system without using a step up transformer.  There are 2- 120 volt lines and 1- neutral line at the electrical panel in all houses. To get 220 you use both 110 lines and the neutral.  All houses have both 110/120 and 220/240 available eg electric dryers, water heaters, baseboard heaters and cooking stoves are all 220/240.

I didn't suggest this because it would require wiring or rewiring the house to accommodate the tools. It probably isn't practical, and may not even be possible - i.e., if he's going to be in a rental property.

But you are correct that 220 Volts (actually 240 Volts, btw) is available at the electrical panel.

 

[ccarrolladams]

Yes, in most cases it is possible to re-wire USA homes to provide 15a 220/240v single phase. There is a NEMA configuration plug and receptacle.

However, please understand that in most states it violates labor regulations to allow an employee to use a hand tool powered by more than 120v. A DIY would not be covered by labor law, unless hiring someone to use the tool. In this case it makes no difference if the power is from a step-up transformer or directly wiring.