Originally Posted by
Dubai Stu
A word of warning on appliances with motors. Even if you step down the voltage, the UK and US use different hertz (50 v. 60). For most appliances, this doesn't matter. If you are running something like a washing machine, you will prematurely burn out the motor running the unit for a long time at the wrong hertz. It is just a fact of life.
Thsi can happen on even something as mundane as kitchen equipment, eg hand mixer. My wife found that one out the hard way.
But that is is the exception. Solid state stuff does quite well. For example I have had my stereo reciever here in Europe for 4 years with no problem. Ditto for CD player.
That said many devices these days are desigend to run 100-240V and 50-60hz range, so often all you need do is stock up on plug adapters.]
Howver, a word of caution would be to do a quick estimate of the number of power transformers you need and buy them in the USA. The prices of them are much higher here in the UK, can be double the price easily. And that goes for all electronics - other than a TV and a home phone (see below) I have basically refused to buy any electronics here, prefer to bring with me, since half the price is a lot of money saved.
Originally Posted by
Dubai Stu
Also, unless you really love your landline phone, buy a new one in the UK. the impedance is different and in the UK the ringing circuitry is different. A US phone will work in the UK with a cheap adapter, but the fidelity will be off and it won't ring. You can work around this, but it is generally not worth it. NTL cable is the exception, their cable modems have a US RJ11 on the back and prefer US style telephones.
Ditto on this regarding phones. US is cheaper but they dont really work here though they plug in an all.
I would also say avoid NTL entirely (or Vigin Media as I think they are called now) worst service ethic I have experinced in the five countries I have lived. Not only is it awful but then you have to call a pay per minute number to for tech support or customer service ie to complain that you are not gettinig the service you are alrady paying for.
If NTL/Virgin were in the US, they would be bankrupt because no one would put up with them. The British, however seem to do so.