Comments on: I have a coffee grinder, 230V, 50Hz, AC, 280 Watts, fitted with a European plug. I live in the U.S.? http://youthinside.org/2007/12/01/i-have-a-coffee-grinder-230v-50hz-ac-280-watts-fitted-with-a-european-plug-i-live-in-the-us/ All About Shopping Sat, 19 May 2012 16:07:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: TechnoStuff http://youthinside.org/2007/12/01/i-have-a-coffee-grinder-230v-50hz-ac-280-watts-fitted-with-a-european-plug-i-live-in-the-us/#comment-917 TechnoStuff Wed, 05 Dec 2007 20:22:58 +0000 http://youthinside.org/2007/12/01/i-have-a-coffee-grinder-230v-50hz-ac-280-watts-fitted-with-a-european-plug-i-live-in-the-us/#comment-917 A transformer to step up the voltage can be found easily enough from many electrical supply houses or ordered by phone. 280 watts at 230 volts would figure out to be about 1.2 amps but since the motor winding is reactive, the amperage may be higher than this, perhaps 1.5 amps. In most locations in the U.S. the voltage is 120v and a transformer will give you 240v, slightly above the rating but probably will not be a problem. 240v at 1.5a is 360VA (VA=Volt-Amps). Transformers of the type you will be getting are normally rated in VA rather than watts so I would get one rated at least this large. If you only operate the grinder intermittantly (like a minute to grind and then doesnt get used until tomorrow), a 300VA would probably be adequate, it wouldn't have time to overheat. I do have another concern, however. The grinder is rated for 50Hz, in the U.S. the power is 60Hz. Depending on the type of motor, it may make no difference, or, maybe it will. Before spending money on a transformer, see if you can find an appliance repair shop or someone who will temporarily connect the grinder to 240v and let you grind up a few pounds of coffee to see how it likes 240v 60hz power. You actually do have 240v power in you house (unless it is 100 years old) for things like electric stove, water heater, big air-conditioner etc but it may not be worthwhile to have an electrician wire in a special 240v receptacle just for using the grinder. A transformer to step up the voltage can be found easily enough from many electrical supply houses or ordered by phone. 280 watts at 230 volts would figure out to be about 1.2 amps but since the motor winding is reactive, the amperage may be higher than this, perhaps 1.5 amps.
In most locations in the U.S. the voltage is 120v and a transformer will give you 240v, slightly above the rating but probably will not be a problem. 240v at 1.5a is 360VA (VA=Volt-Amps). Transformers of the type you will be getting are normally rated in VA rather than watts so I would get one rated at least this large. If you only operate the grinder intermittantly (like a minute to grind and then doesnt get used until tomorrow), a 300VA would probably be adequate, it wouldn’t have time to overheat.

I do have another concern, however.
The grinder is rated for 50Hz, in the U.S. the power is 60Hz. Depending on the type of motor, it may make no difference, or, maybe it will.

Before spending money on a transformer, see if you can find an appliance repair shop or someone who will temporarily connect the grinder to 240v and let you grind up a few pounds of coffee to see how it likes 240v 60hz power.

You actually do have 240v power in you house (unless it is 100 years old) for things like electric stove, water heater, big air-conditioner etc but it may not be worthwhile to have an electrician wire in a special 240v receptacle just for using the grinder.

]]> By: foggyd42 http://youthinside.org/2007/12/01/i-have-a-coffee-grinder-230v-50hz-ac-280-watts-fitted-with-a-european-plug-i-live-in-the-us/#comment-916 foggyd42 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:07:28 +0000 http://youthinside.org/2007/12/01/i-have-a-coffee-grinder-230v-50hz-ac-280-watts-fitted-with-a-european-plug-i-live-in-the-us/#comment-916 The electrics in the US are 110v so you can buy a voltage inverter which steps 110v up 240v they come in a range of power outputs up to 3 and 4 Kw and are reasonably inexpensive in the Us. The electrics in the US are 110v so you can buy a voltage inverter which steps 110v up 240v they come in a range of power outputs up to 3 and 4 Kw and are reasonably inexpensive in the Us.

]]> By: mjpxyz http://youthinside.org/2007/12/01/i-have-a-coffee-grinder-230v-50hz-ac-280-watts-fitted-with-a-european-plug-i-live-in-the-us/#comment-915 mjpxyz Mon, 03 Dec 2007 10:37:43 +0000 http://youthinside.org/2007/12/01/i-have-a-coffee-grinder-230v-50hz-ac-280-watts-fitted-with-a-european-plug-i-live-in-the-us/#comment-915 Assuming that it doesn't have a dual voltage switch (have you checked?) lets think about this, if it was a water heater it would work if plugged into the lower voltage - it would just take a lot longer to heat the water The coffee grinder might not work because it is designed to take a higher voltage & therefore it might grind too slowly. Go to a travel shop or Luggage shop & buy a US/euro plug - make sure you get one that plugs into the US wall socket & accepts the euro plug & see if it works Assuming that it doesn’t have a dual voltage switch (have you checked?)

lets think about this, if it was a water heater it would work if plugged into the lower voltage - it would just take a lot longer to heat the water

The coffee grinder might not work because it is designed to take a higher voltage & therefore it might grind too slowly.

Go to a travel shop or Luggage shop & buy a US/euro plug - make sure you get one that plugs into the US wall socket & accepts the euro plug & see if it works

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