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Aredwood
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  #1028803 21-Apr-2014 22:24

See everyone else has beaten me to it. Was researching how much current US sockets are normally rated to provide.



kiwigander
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  #1028834 21-Apr-2014 23:28
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It doesn't matter how much current USA sockets are rated to provide, what matters is how much current the appliance draws, and also what the power factor of the appliance is.

(North American appliances are limited to 1500 watt draw - that works out to 12.5 A at 120 V.  The sockets are ordinarily rated at 15 A, but some installations have been cabled with AWG 12 instead of the standard AWG 14 and so are rated at 20 A.)

Assuming most of that 1500 W is drawn by the heating element(s), the power factor will be close to 1, so you can get away with a 2000 VA stepdown transformer.  The 2000 W unit that's been identified on TradeMe should suffice.  Before investing in that, though, you may want to confirm that it is approved by Australian or New Zealand electrical authorities for use here.  You do not want your insurance company to decline your claim if your house is damaged by fire caused by a faulty transformer of dubious parentage.

I will wager that the transformer will be considerably larger and heavier than your coffee maker.

richms
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  #1028848 22-Apr-2014 02:03
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Also the cheap step down transformers off amazon etc are total garbage, need Massive derating andstill buzz and overheat.




Richard rich.ms



alexanderu

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  #1029243 22-Apr-2014 17:35
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Hi.
Would this work? trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=719831603 

Thanks!

ubergeeknz
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  #1029245 22-Apr-2014 17:39
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Aredwood: Short answer, yes you will definitely need an adaptor. And you will probably need a step down transformer as well. As guessing that it will be designed for American 110V only. Unlike things like laptop power supplies which will work on almost any voltage.

And depending on how much power it draws you will need a big (and expensive) stepdown transformer. Also the lower mains frequency in NZ can cause problems as well. Since NZ is 50Hz and USA is 60Hz. This will cause some types of electric motor to run slower than normal. It can also cause some types of electric motors and transformers to overheat. And if the appliance has an inbuilt clock then it might run slow as well. (won't keep correct time).

http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=MF1086&w=mf+1086&form=KEYWORD

Even this transformer may not be powerful enough to run a coffee machine. Since that one can output 8.6A But US sockets are rated at 15A.


The specs say 1500W (which I believe, it probably has heating elements) so that 1000W transformer is not enough.  Just cancel your order (if you can) send it back (if you can't) and buy one locally.

sbiddle
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  #1029285 22-Apr-2014 18:30
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alexanderu: Hi.
Would this work? trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=719831603 

Thanks!


Not even close, especially if the coffee machine is 1000W +

How much did the machine cost you from the US? Maybe just flag it as a bad investment and buy one here, you'll be far better off the in the long run.

How does it differ to the NZ machine which is only $99 to buy here?



 
 
 

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surfisup1000
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  #1029288 22-Apr-2014 18:42
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Regs: this is what you need.... http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/other-electronics/adaptors-chargers/auction-718148614.htm   only $160 second hand and ugly as sin.  general rule of thumb is never buy appliances from US.  Laptops and cameras typically come with 240v/120v power options as you travel globally with them, but everything else - nope. 


Everything else?  

There are plenty of differing electronics that come with AC adaptors that take input 110-240v. 

Although, US products with motors or internal transformers are much less likely to work in nz. 


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