Europe 220 question.

M

monte

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Apr 28, 2007
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Hey.
I'm here in France for a family wedding and i may have some time to visit ( very shortly) a Festool dealer in north Paris.

Question.
Can European 220 be plugged into American 220. ?
(I know pretty basic - and I should know this)
I have plenty of 220 outlets in my new studio so the conversion thing is of no issue.

A quick response from any insomniacs would be appreciated. (Paul - Marcel ?)

Cheers
Roger.

I'm thinking of the belt sander or maybe the carvex.
 
But, you can get a converter that transforms US 110v to 230v (1-phase, single-pole).

 
Hmmm. 
That's a good thought.
About how much would that run?

And. Thanx!
 
jakiiski said:
No, 220 is multi-phase in US.
Click to expand...

In the USA nominal 220v is almost always 1 phase. The lower voltage 3 phase is commonly 208v.

The OP will know if the 220v outlet only has a ground and two prongs it is 1 phase.

His real problem is that France and the USA use different connectors.

 
Yes, it will work fine. There is a minor voltage difference, but this is insignificant when dealing with universal motors, and frequency variations are also immaterial with universal motors. Contrary to common misconception, there can be no phase variation with only two wires, regardless what the source system is configured. If that is not sufficient, you may recall that my Kapex pre-dates even the European release of the saw and long before a U.S. version was even constructed. Not only has it been running on 240V/60Hz for all these years, but with some creative rewiring, it even triggers my 120V CT-mini.
 
In most places in the USA there is a split-phase system with two 120V lines and a neutral line coming into your circuit breaker box. For the big boys in your household (stove or air conditioner) both phases are used to get 240V. In general the European stuff that is to run on 230V/50Hz will run on 240V/60Hz. When I bring my stuff from Holland to the USA, I have the same problem. I intend to run e small lathe on 240V. My other electrical tools (mostly Festools) will be sold. I already bought new equipment in the USA because life goes on and I did not want to wait for my tools to arrive here. And the tools are much cheaper here.  ;D
 
[big grin] Agree with WIM,  and RC, there is no problem using European 220 V  festools in USA.

I have used my generac generator, but when I get the garage wired up by an electrician (with the appropriate connectors bought in the UK)  I will be able to use my belt sander and the vac sys without any problem.

V

 
venk67 said:
[big grin] Agree with WIM,  and RC, there is no problem using European 220 V  festools in USA.

I have used my generac generator, but when I get the garage wired up by an electrician (with the appropriate connectors bought in the UK)  I will be able to use my belt sander and the vac sys without any problem.

V
Click to expand...

Perhaps you need to study the various electrical codes in the USA. Bottom line is that these electrical codes prohibit installing non-approved connectors. Those include obsolete USA connectors as well as those used in the UK and the rest of Europe.

If you do not have employees, then you should install USA approved connectors and replace the UK plugs on your tools with USA approved ones.

Questions about your specific local and state electrical codes should be answered by a local licensed electrical contractor.
 
If you like to keep your system according to code, install official 240V American sockets and make a sort of pigtail with a 240V American plug and a male UK plug at the other end of the cable. I think of doing the same with continental female plugs.
 
[big grin]

Agree WIM, that was what I planned to do

I already have a NEMA style drop cord, so the outlet in the wall will meet US code!! 

I think I mis-spoke if I said that the connector in the wall will be a UK style outlet.

Cheers

VL
 
ccarrolladams said:
Perhaps you need to study the various electrical codes in the USA. Bottom line is that these electrical codes prohibit installing non-approved connectors. Those include obsolete USA connectors as well as those used in the UK and the rest of Europe.

If you do not have employees, then you should install USA approved connectors and replace the UK plugs on your tools with USA approved ones.

Questions about your specific local and state electrical codes should be answered by a local licensed electrical contractor.
Click to expand...

To the best of my knowledge, there is nothing in the NEC that mandates NEMA configuration for receptacles, which is what you commonly think of as U.S. standard. This is further supported because NEMA configurations are very limited in scope to being only low power devices, yet receptacles are commonly needed above 50 amps in both single and 3-phase configurations. This are typically pin-and-sleeve, which are not only not NEMA configured, but are proprietary for each manufacturer.

What the NEC states is that receptacles need to be listed, which European devices are, using a different company (or sometimes the same) as UL. The NEC also does not specify "Who" is the listing company, such as "UL", and there are many other companies out there.

There is a portable power distribution company on the East Coast that utilizes all IEC pin and sleeve devices from 16 amp up to 125 amp, solely to prevent theft. I know this because I built the test equipment that tests their equipment.
 
Under the USA Uniform Electrical Code, OSHA Electrical Safety Orders and most local electrical codes there is a mandate that electrical connectors be approved, not that they must be NEMA.

None of the European or UK connectors are approved for use in the USA.

Anyone needing more information about this should contact a local licensed electrical contractor, preferably with commercial/industrial experience.
 
ccarrolladams said:
Under the USA Uniform Electrical Code, OSHA Electrical Safety Orders and most local electrical codes there is a mandate that electrical connectors be approved, not that they must be NEMA.

None of the European or UK connectors are approved for use in the USA.

Anyone needing more information about this should contact a local licensed electrical contractor, preferably with commercial/industrial experience.
Click to expand...

Carroll, please don't take offense, but previously you stated this was NEC, now you say it is UEC (which doesn't exist) and OSHA (which doesn't apply). The only reason I made my previous posting is because you stated information with the implication that it was factual and regulated, when it wasn't. If you had simply stated that it wasn't a good idea to use IEC receptacles in the U.S., there would be no comment needed (and I fully agree with your assertion too).

In this age of the internet, when something gets stated with authority, it ends up being repeated with even greater authority next time around, and that is how misinformation propagates.

You are correct when you say the devices must be "Listed", but there is no distinction as to what organization is required for such listing, nor is there a distinction that IEC devices are not permitted. If the device is not listed for the use, then it falls within the purview of not being listed (for the use) and can't be used.

I agree with you that it is not a good idea to use IEC receptacles in normal practice here in the U.S., but before I would state that it is a regulated practice, I would need to see code citations for it.
 
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