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    apollard's Avatar
    apollard Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jan 12, 2008, 09:45 PM
    220v in 120v outlet
    Bought a low wattage set of X mas lights in Europe, they appear to be set for 220v.
    Can I get an adaptor for the European plug and just plug them into a 120v US outlet or do I have to buy some type of voltage converter?
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
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    #2

    Jan 12, 2008, 09:56 PM
    This will work. RadioShack.com - Power & Batteries: Home & office power: Foreign travel adapters: 40W Reverse Voltage Converter

    The wattage of the converter should exceed the wattage of the light set.

    If you plugged the lights in 120V power they would just be half as bright.

    The VC-50 step UP converter here should work too: Wonpro 250 Volt Power Strip, European Receptacle, 24 Plug Adapter
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #3

    Jan 13, 2008, 06:34 AM
    All electrical devices used in the USA must be listed and tested by Underwriters Laboratories, or some other third party certification firm.

    National Electric Code does not allow lighting in a residential home to be more than 120 volts.

    Plus needing adapters and transformers for a string of lights that are not allowed just doesn't seem worth the effort.
    dmitry01's Avatar
    dmitry01 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Apr 28, 2009, 08:16 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by KeepItSimpleStupid View Post
    This will work. RadioShack.com - Power & Batteries: Home & office power: Foreign travel adapters: 40W Reverse Voltage Converter

    The wattage of the converter should exceed the wattage of the light set.

    If you plugged the lights in 120V power they would just be half as bright.

    The VC-50 step UP converter here should work too: Wonpro 250 Volt Power Strip, European Receptacle, 24 Plug Adapter
    This might be a silly question, but I better ask beforehand:
    What if I need to use a device from Latin America, that has a 220v plug, is there any way I can use it with USA outlets. Converters out there, say for use outside of USA only. Is it electrically wrong?
    ONETIME's Avatar
    ONETIME Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    May 10, 2009, 11:44 AM

    Why 220 v in europe and 11 v in USA?
    ohb0b's Avatar
    ohb0b Posts: 215, Reputation: 14
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    #6

    May 10, 2009, 12:45 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ONETIME View Post
    why 220 v in Europe and 110 v in USA?

    I can't think of a real good reason, but the electrical systems developed along different lines in different areas of the world.

    This is just a SWAG, but it could be resource related. Power =voltage x current. If you double the voltage, you need only half the current to develop the same power. With half the current, you can use smaller wires, so you use less copper.

    220 volts is not twice as dangerous as 110. Both voltages can be deadly. In the US, the majority of electrocutions are from 120 volt power.

    Electrical appliances are cheap. My wife bought a hair dryer yesterday for $12 US. Just buy the appliance in the country where you will be using it.
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