Lamp from USA. Simple as using wall adaptor?

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Lamp from USA. Simple as using wall adaptor?

Asmodeus

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#189120 17-Dec-2015 14:45

Hi guys, I have a lamp shipped from the US to give as an Xmas present. Obviously it needs an adaptor and a 240v bulb but will the bulb holder and the switch on the wire be OK?

On the back of the switch it says 3A/120v AC 125 VL. There is also a sticker on the wire that says 110-120V, 26 W Max. On the bulb holder it says 120V 60Hz only. On the wire itself is engraved 300V.

Will it be OK to just use an NZ bulb and wall adaptor? I think so but wanted to check with others.

Cheers

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#1452324 17-Dec-2015 14:50

The issue is one of risk management.

If the insulation on the wire is rated at 300v, that is fine. If the switch is not, that is in theory a problem. The lamp holder is probably OK. The switch should ideally be replaced with a 230v switch that may have a larger gap so the larger voltage does not 'jump the gap'.

If there is a fire and it is traced back to the lamp, you may have an insurance problem.

If there is a serious electric shock or fatality, you have a different sort of problem.

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richms

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#1452341 17-Dec-2015 14:59

Single insulated wire probably, metal lamp holder with no earth, and probably one that has the entire thread of the base connected to one side of the mains cable, which may or may not be the neutral depending if it has a polarized plug and your adapter actually has them the right way around.

Not something I would be giving to somebody.

Richard rich.ms

timmmay

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#1452343 17-Dec-2015 15:03

I would be very very wary. I wouldn't plug it in at my house.

Asmodeus

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#1452346 17-Dec-2015 15:07

It does have a polarised plug and the lamo holder is plastic

wellygary

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#1452351 17-Dec-2015 15:18

timmmay: I would be very very wary. I wouldn't plug it in at my house.

+!,
With everything these days being built to the lowest price possible, manufacturers are likely to spec their parts to the minimal safe margins,

Running 240V through anything designed for 110V is a huge risk,

and I would certainly *NOT* being giving it away as a present

Rikkitic

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#1452363 17-Dec-2015 15:41

I think Dynamic is the one you should listen to. The switch would be the only questionable item, and even that would probably be okay. The minimum rating on anything in the USA is going to exceed requirements here because the current flow will only be half as much and on something like this, the switch is the only thing that might be bothered by the higher voltage. The plastic holder means there is no risk of any electrical connection to the base or any metal bits. If the plug is polarised it can't be reversed and even if it could there wouldn't be any danger since there are no exposed bits. Any risk is very small and you can minimise that even further by using an LED bulb or something else well under the 26 watt rating.

The only provisos I would add is that the device would be illegal here since it has not had electrical certification (the insurance issue) and Americans often make electrical connections with crappy spring clips instead of solder or screws so you might want to check the robustness of the connections to the fitting. Also, it wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the plug rather than use an adapter.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

BTR

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#1452366 17-Dec-2015 15:47

I can see this being in the news, i'd throw it in the bin and go back to the drawing board on gift choice.

RunningMan

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#1452372 17-Dec-2015 16:01

mdooher:

Actually since you will be running less current through the fitting and the fitting is almost guaranteed to be rated for use on 220V (2 phase supplies in the US) you will be fine. If you are concerned at all just have a look for the rating

As per the OP the switch, wire and bulb holder all have stickers that rate them to only 120 (or 125) volts. No part of it seems to be rated high enough at all.

mdooher

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#1452375 17-Dec-2015 16:05

RunningMan:
mdooher:

Actually since you will be running less current through the fitting and the fitting is almost guaranteed to be rated for use on 220V (2 phase supplies in the US) you will be fine. If you are concerned at all just have a look for the rating

As per the OP the switch, wire and bulb holder all have stickers that rate them to only 120 (or 125) volts. No part of it seems to be rated high enough at all.

Then I should have read more carefully ...

Matthew

richms

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#1452376 17-Dec-2015 16:07

Holder will be an e12. Good luck finding a 230v lamp for that. I have some e14s that should snap onto the same base if you want. Would still replace the cable and switch with compliant ones.

Richard rich.ms

Dynamic

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#1452377 17-Dec-2015 16:09

Depending on how the lamp holder sits in the base, and if the lamp it something you are keen to give as a gift, you might be able to replace all of the electrical components with locally sourced and correctly rated options.

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wellygary

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#1452379 17-Dec-2015 16:11

richms: I have some e14s that should snap onto the same base if you want. Would still replace the cable and switch with compliant ones.

Oh, So you would like both a new head and a new handle for your old axe sir :)

Dynamic

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#1452381 17-Dec-2015 16:14

wellygary:
richms: I have some e14s that should snap onto the same base if you want. Would still replace the cable and switch with compliant ones.

Oh, So you would like both a new head and a new handle for your old axe sir :)

Not quite the same. We've not seen the lamp itself which might be stunning/unique.

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richms

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#1452382 17-Dec-2015 16:14

Dynamic:
wellygary:
richms: I have some e14s that should snap onto the same base if you want. Would still replace the cable and switch with compliant ones.

Oh, So you would like both a new head and a new handle for your old axe sir :)

Not quite the same. We've not seen the lamp itself which might be stunning/unique.

Or it might be some ugly hippy salt lamp ;)

Richard rich.ms

DarthKermit

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#1452392 17-Dec-2015 16:52

Sounds like the perfect gift to give your mother in law.

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