Thread: Intersting story about a 110v tools imported from states.

Originally Posted by Expat

I had a look at the charger that came with my B&D VXT screwdriver and sure enough it runs on 110-220v power. You have to change the plug or use an adapter but it'll work. Same goes for the DeWalt charger for my drill. My Delta ts only needs a change of plug and removal of the capacitor and it's 220. All of them are B&D products of course so why wouldn't they be capable of that. Anyway, it's not the voltage you have to worry about it's the frequency. Chargers can cope with it but some tools can't.

If it is a US (2 pin) tool, the only plug change I have ever done was with a pair of pliers. the spacing is correct for OZ, you just need to twist them a bit.

Regards,

James

Originally Posted by yjnb

If it is a US (2 pin) tool, the only plug change I have ever done was with a pair of pliers. the spacing is correct for OZ, you just need to twist them a bit.

Regards,

James

I would suggest that it would be safer to replace the plug altogether. Especially as the plugs don't cost much. Also the US plug would probably be rated for 110V and not 240V, and bending the pins to fit an Aussie outlet just sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

Originally Posted by Vernonv

I would suggest that it would be safer to replace the plug altogether. Especially as the plugs don't cost much. Also the US plug would probably be rated for 110V and not 240V, and bending the pins to fit an Aussie outlet just sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

I agree that a new plug is cheap, however we are talking about a 110-240 rated tool, so the plug and lead would be rated for 240v.

regards,

James

Originally Posted by yjnb

I agree that a new plug is cheap, however we are talking about a 110-240 rated tool, so the plug and lead would be rated for 240v.

regards,

James

110 volts requires thicker wire than 240 v, so the dual voltage gear is probably a little better built than single voltage 240 v stuff.

Cheers

Graeme

Originally Posted by yjnb

I agree that a new plug is cheap, however we are talking about a 110-240 rated tool, so the plug and lead would be rated for 240v.

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

110 volts requires thicker wire than 240 v, so the dual voltage gear is probably a little better built than single voltage 240 v stuff.

It's not the cable I was referring to (which as pointed out should be OK) ... it's the plug. The US plug is designed for 110V and it would be rated accordingly. It is not designed for 240v and it's certainly not designed to be plugged into an Aussie GPO.

Originally Posted by yjnb

If it is a US (2 pin) tool, the only plug change I have ever done was with a pair of pliers. the spacing is correct for OZ, you just need to twist them a bit.

Regards,

James

As your friendly local electrician I would not recommend that the pins of a US plug be twisted to fit. A plug top is only a couple of dollars and will take two minutes to fit.
I've only seen the US pins twisted once and that was on a talking book reader on loan from the blind society library. By twisting the pins a significant amount of live pin is left exposed outside the outlet. I was called to check a faulty outlet by a blind elderly gentleman who couldn't get his reader to work. There was at least 6mm of exposed live pin. Easily enough to make contact with a careless finger. I cut the plug off and replaced it and then rang the blind society library and instructed them to check the rest of their readers for similar modifications.

The plugs on all my power tools and equipment have the active pin larger than the neutral pin as well as both of them being straight up and down so unless things have changed back home they won't fit even if you twist them. Anyhow I wouldn't go that way if you paid me! Way too many things to go wrong doing that. Better to get a good quality heavy duty 90deg plug so the cord comes out of the plug pointed to the ground. That eliminates any attempts at pulling the plug by tugging on the cord - we've all done it - and lowers the trip rate considerably. Running a 110v/15a ts on 220/240v it will draw around 7a at start up and under load. So the wiring is more than up to the task.