European Festool tools used in US?

[nickao]

Feel free to use any of the 240V UK tools here in the US, I do it everyday.

Well those were also my thoughts...just didn't know how 50 Hz versus 60 Hz would impact the results.

The Festools I have state 50-60 HZ right on the tool tag. Even the tool I have that states 50HZ(it's a 10 year old  240V un-named grinder) it still works perfectly fine. I am thinking all the Festool are rated 50-60HZ at  this point because of the different countries they are used in.  Still the 50hz work fine as well.

 

[Cheese]

The Festools I have state 50-60 HZ right on the tool tag.

So the 240 V UK tools are useable on both 50 & 60 Hz juice? Well then a guy could outfit a shop using 240 V tools and just swap the power cord ends.

 

[nickao]

yes and most all the new tools are labeled that way. There is no different cord end for a 50 to 60hz tool, the end difference is due to the country of origin and voltage. But even 240 V has half a dozen configuration,I just lopped it off  put on a 240 US end. I have used the converter plug ends as well.

The problem is you aren't going to be able to purchase those UK tool s and get them over here very easily. No store will sell them to you, not in the UK. Italy maybe, but they don't have all the same tools for sale either.

If Festool would simply sell a few more desired tools  I would not have to go through the headache. I want a 7 or 8" sander, I had to settle for a 7" RAS(RAS 180 its made in 240V only). I would love a 7 or 8" Rotex here is the US. I hate the RAs dust collection anyone that says its near the Rotex isn't being honest doesn't sand much, That turning brush is for the birds. On a llittel 4" RAS maybe on this 7" tere is just way too much dist to collect without through the pad collection. I have little choice though. With Fein not selling the MOl 8" rotary sander any more  Festool could corner the boat sanding market if they wanted to. All the larger sanders are more for the automotive with no dust collection at all. That's the main reason I fell into the 240V Festools in the first place or I would never have any 240 small power tools  at all. Now I may as well.

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[aloysius]

Livetock fencing is based around low voltage, low current spikes.  Usually

 

[nickao]

Livestock fencing on my land and anywhere around this area are 3000 to 5000 Volts, not low voltage by any means. If I want predators kept out the fence has to  be at 5000 volts or the animals aren't safe.

 

[Svar]

Not that long ago the United States government would punish many of their undesirables by low voltage, high current executions.

Electrical chair is 2000-3000V. This is HIGH voltage comparing to mains.

 

[Bohdan]

Livestock fencing on my land and anywhere around this area are 3000 to 5000 Volts

On my place the fences are 7000v. With an old system which only generated 3500v the animals would still try their luck but now they just look at the fence and walk away.

 

[Holmz]

My lord there is misinformation here!

US two phase?

Please google what system we are on,  and how it works before you post.

Please google double  insulation and what that is.

Feel free to use any of the 240V UK tools here in the US, I do it everyday.

How does one refere to L1 and L2 being 180 degrees apart in phase? It is not like a single hot and a return?

Similarly in the olden days the return was sometimes tied to ground eithe RTS the tool, or back at the box... and the case/housing of a aluminium bodied drill could be live. (This used to hurt a bit.  [eek] )
In a double insulated tool, neither the live nor the return is tied to the body of the tool.

 

[nickao]

The US is SINGLE Phase to most residential home unless it a special set up.

Its split leg , some might say split phase not two phase.

You can google "Why is 220V called single phase when it has two phases?",  Which is actually an incorrect statement on its face, but this question will lead you to answers and explanations.

This has been gone over on many electrical forums where newbs ask that all the time. Here is one answer from one forum, I am working don't have time to write something up on my own. I am working on an all nigher right now just waiting form my press to complete.

I remember in college we learned that there was one two phase system in operation and it is a few gov buildings in part of Philadelphia if I remember correctly. That's was in the 80's, but I think that system may still be working. It was 100 years old in 83 when I was in school, again if I remember correctly. I also vaguely recall Tesla working with a two phase system in the 1880's and Niagra falls using it, but as of right now we use single phase and 3 phase  in the USA.

Someone smarter than me can put it in simpler terms I am sure.

The following applies to North American electrical systems....

Two phase is not the correct terminology and sometimes, the terms "split phase" or "split leg" is used. The 220 power that we are familiar with is what comes into our home service panels and it consists of one neutral and two "hot wires". Somewhere in the neighborhood, there is a transformer with high voltage coming into it. They put a winding next to the core and it induces 220 volts into the winding. The two wires from that winding are the two hot wires that enter your house. If you measure the voltage between those two hot wires, it will read 220 volts. In the middle of that winding, they put a "center-tap" which is just a wire that connect to the center of the winding. That wire is the neutral that is brought into your house. If you measure between the neutral wire and any hot wire, the voltage is 110 but, one with respect to the other is 180o out of phase. Without a significant description of phasor mathematics and something called "complex numbers", it would be very hard for me to describe in other terms why the phase change occurs but, suffice it to say, it does indeed occur.

BTW, the terms 110, 120, 220 and 240 are a little confusing. 110 and 120 are the same really; it's just that the power company is allowed to vary the voltage under different circumstances and it could be somewhere in that range. The frequency (60 Hz in North America) will not change and if it ever does, there are serious, serious problems going on in at the generation facility -to the extent you will probably see a bright flash coming from the facility. -Basically, it does not vary and if it does, it happens simultaneously all through North America. The entire system is synchronized.

 

[Holmz]

... Without a significant description of phasor mathematics and something called "complex numbers", it would be very hard for me to describe in other terms why the phase change occurs but, suffice it to say, it does indeed occur.

i...

Semantics aside, it seems that we are all discussing the same thing.

The difference in Australia and NZ is that there is no "centre tap" that they are referenced to, and the Hot is referenced to neutral... Which probably means that the centre tap is tied to ground.
The conclusion I have reached, is the same that you mentioned earlier... One can run Eu tools on US 220/221.

Of course one should use a sparkie to ensure that they remain covered under OSHA laws as well as any UL certifications... Which may be at legal odds with what is technically possible...

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

The US is SINGLE Phase to most residential home unless it a special set up.

Its split leg , some might say split phase not two phase.

I remember in college we learned that there was one two phase system in operation and it is a few gov buildings in part of Philadelphia if I remember correctly. That's was in the 80's, but I think that system may still be working. It was 100 years old in 83 when I was in school, again if I remember correctly. I also vaguely recall Tesla working with a two phase system in the 1880's and Niagra falls using it, but as of right now we use single phase and 3 phase  in the USA.

Someone smarter than me can put it in simpler terms I am sure.

The following applies to North American electrical systems....

Two phase is not the correct terminology and sometimes, the terms "split phase" or "split leg" is used. The 220 power that we are familiar with is what comes into our home service panels and it consists of one neutral and two "hot wires". Somewhere in the neighborhood, there is a transformer with high voltage coming into it. They put a winding next to the core and it induces 220 volts into the winding. The two wires from that winding are the two hot wires that enter your house. If you measure the voltage between those two hot wires, it will read 220 volts. In the middle of that winding, they put a "center-tap" which is just a wire that connect to the center of the winding. That wire is the neutral that is brought into your house. If you measure between the neutral wire and any hot wire, the voltage is 110 but, one with respect to the other is 180o out of phase. Without a significant description of phasor mathematics and something called "complex numbers", it would be very hard for me to describe in other terms why the phase change occurs but, suffice it to say, it does indeed occur.

Two-Phase does still exist in Philadelphia. It's still used for power in older buildings, but tends to confuse a lot of people who aren't familiar with it, who think the multiple wires are Three-Phase. Philadelphia wasn't the only area were it was used or can/could be found. I knew somebody who tried to wire a shop in Queens, NY, who said they blew up a bunch of motors before anybody informed them, or they figured out, what the problem was. I've heard it was also used in some other early industrial areas like St. Louis, and I presume elsewhere.

 

[Z48LT1]

With a little trepidation I submit my first post.

What a wonderful forum!  I've spent hours here learning all I can in anticipation of getting my first Festool tool, which I expect to be the TS 55 with guide rail along with the Parf Guide System etc. but I digress.

I have perused the Axminster website, at Peter Parfitt's suggestion regarding where to get his Parf Guide System and they seem perfectly happy to ship to the states; moreover, their prices are extremely favorable compared to Amazon and other US mail order retailers.  Their shipping and handling are also quite reasonable.

They even offer the TS 55 in 110V as well as 220V versions.  However, when I enquired, their Sales Advisor cautioned:

"Please note power tools supplied from the UK are designed to be use on a 50Hz electrical supply, if use in America which is a 60Hz they will run 10% hotter & faster and will therefore not hold any warranty. "

I am grateful that I found this thread. 

Alas, I remain ambivalent about whether to proceed with my purchase.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Best,

Gary Carpenter
Space Coast, USA

 

[Holmz]

Well the MT55 is track saw rated as having a true universal motor (50/60 Hz).

If you're thinking of two saws for US and Eu, then you may be better with one of the MT55 and a 110 to. 220v transformer on US110v or get a 220v outlet.

 

[Z48LT1]

Well the MT55 is track saw rated as having a true universal motor (50/60 Hz).

If you're thinking of two saws for US and Eu, then you may be better with one of the MT55 and a 110 to. 220v transformer on US110v or get a 220v outlet.

Being unable to identify an MT55, is it safe for me to assume you meant TS55?  Your statement regarding the universal 50/60 Hz motor, contradicting the Axminster sales advisor is very good news indeed.

My needs are for a home unit to be used only in the USA so my only issue should be the plug end.

Thanks very much,

Gary Carpenter

 

[peter halle]

He was referring to the Mafell MT55 vs the Festool TS55.

Peter

 

[Holmz]

They actually sell the MT55 in 110v through timberwolf on Maine. The rails are different in a good way.
In North America the TS55 makes sense, unless one needed the extra power.
But the rails are better, unless one already has FT rails... So from that perspective alone it warrants consideration.
I have the 230v version and use it on an MFT. It is as good as I need.

 

[Z48LT1]

Thanks, Peter and Holmz, for straightening me out.  I confused myself again in the last hour watching a youtube review of a TS55 by AvE, one of his "Bored of Lame Tool Review" series and the info sticker on the motor clearly showed 120 v 60 Hz with no mention of 50 Hz.

My education continues!

Cheers,

Gary Carpenter

 

[Spud]

My lord there is misinformation here!

US two phase?

Please google what system we are on,  and how it works before you post.

Please google double  insulation and what that is.

Feel free to use any of the 240V UK tools here in the US, I do it everyday.

What power tools are you using and I presume you connect the tool directly to a US 220-240volt wall outlet, with maybee an adapter to allow the Euro 3 pin plug to connect to the US 220-240volt wall outlet?

I don't have a free 220-240 volt wall outlet I can use so need to get a step-up transformer. But if I manage to free up a 220-240volt wall outlet, is there going to be any issues pluggin in my Mafell 230volt 1600 watt mortiser?

I don't know much about electricals and am leary I might fry the tool, because the wire thickness , sockets and 240v plugs on US appliances are quite substantial compared to 220-240 volt outlets and plugs in Europe.

 

[Holmz]

Well starting out learning about electricity on 220v is ill advised.

Timberwolf sells a step up transformer, as does Amazon.

Many modify their 230v Eu tools using a pigtail, but it is against FOG rules to discuss how to do that, so one would need to look elsewhere.

In your case you would need a sparky to help you.

The Euro tools are generally 2-prong with no ground going to them... (Double insulated).

It may not make sense for 1 tool, but for a few toolsit makes some sense and also opens up more tools that can be used.