Using US lamp in Europe?
 

Does anyone know if an adapter is needed to use a US-purchased lamp in Europe?

I know that the US voltage is 110 and Europe is 220-240, but does that matter for a lamp, as opposed to electronics or motors? Can I simply stick in a bulb bought in Europe and use it?

Thanks...

Not unless you want to trip the circuit and risk a fire.

never mind...apparently there's a reason I am not an engineer...

So this thing would be fine without a transformer?

I certainly wouldn't count on it. The question is also whether the wire in the lamp can handle the voltage. I would presume that the lamp is wired for 110. Lamps aren't that expensive. By a new one at IKEA in Europe or if it is that special, get it rewired.

Its not just the lightbulb but the complete wiring of the lamp that is different. An adapter would be required.

It is that special: one-of-a kind handmade floorlamp about 6 foot tall. Couldnt find one like it if I tried and if it was made today the price of steel alone would make it unaffordable, let alone the artistic costs..

I'll get it re-wired. Thanks folks.

Well technically it's different in the sense that it's tested for higher voltage. But the basic principal of a lamp is a wire that goes to a switch and then onto a socket.

JP

Amps = Watts/Volts

Need someone from a 220V country to chime in here, but it seems to me that for a purely resistive device, like a lightbulb, you are going to be pulling the same current for a given brightness of bulb?

I don't see where any re-wiring would be needed.

Change the plug, change the socket, and use European bulbs. The wiring may or may not need to be changed depending on whether the insulation is rated to handle the higher voltage.

Bulbs are optimized for a certain voltage. A 110 V bulb will be brighter and burn out faster at 220 V.

Exactly. But a 220V 100W bulb should draw no more current than a 110V 100W bulb. They both should have Edison bases, so, I maintain, screwing in a euro bulb and using an adapter on the plug should be perfectly safe.

Actually it should draw 1/2 the current, for the same wattage.

Amps are "volume" of electricity, and volts are the "pressure"
Watts are power. W=V*A. At twice the voltage, only 1/2 the amperage for the same power.

One of the reasons super fast-heating in-room teakettles are so popular in Euro hotels (especially UK) because they don't suck 15-20 amps the way they would in North America. Can run of an ordinary household mains outlet that doesn't have to be the only item on that circuit breaker.

There are two issues. The U.S. lamp wiring can handle European current with no problem because the current will be less at the same wattage. But if the U.S. insulation is rated at maximum of 125 V then you can have a safety issue with 220-240 V.

Also, I believe the European countries have different bulb threads, and it would be beter to change the lamp socket than try to use an adaptor. And changing the plug is better than messing with plug adaptors.

Typical 18 gauge US zip cord is rated at 300v.

Sounds like a smoke-test is in order. :cool:

Wire is wire, whether you buy it in North America or Europe. As long as it's the right gauge for whatever wattage bulb you're using, it should be fine. I would recommend replacing the socket (and maybe the plug if you want to free up an adapter) with European equivalents if you run into compatibility problems locally.