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Old 06-10-2010, 09:54 AM
 
Location: Raleigh, NC
285 posts, read 835,123 times
Reputation: 141

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Hi Locals.....

does anyone know an electrician who could rewire a UK lamp for use over here?

My usual friend Google isn't coming up with much help, so thought I'd ask the real experts!

Cheers
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Old 06-10-2010, 11:08 AM
 
23 posts, read 57,147 times
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Why not just by a "travel" power adapter? Easy and low cost.
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Old 06-10-2010, 11:32 AM
 
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Agreed - A voltage converter and plug adapter should do the trick. Just make sure they support the power (Watts) that the lamp will use.

Frank
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Old 06-10-2010, 12:20 PM
 
Location: Raleigh, NC
285 posts, read 835,123 times
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Cannot use an adaptor on its own - as its too weak on power....

I'd rather not use a voltage converter as I have a few of these already for more powerful things. Is there not a store somewhere than can rewire these things - I know it can be done, just don't know anyone locally?
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Old 06-10-2010, 12:43 PM
 
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You can probably do it on your own - its just a wire and socket, and really just a wire that needs to be changed. How complex is the lamp?
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Old 06-10-2010, 01:01 PM
 
932 posts, read 3,093,405 times
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Can you buy a re-wiring kit and replace the thing that holds the bulb and the wire/socket piece? Technical, I know. I had to rewire an antique lamp and took out all of this insides and replaced them.
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Old 06-10-2010, 01:03 PM
 
Location: Raleigh, NC
285 posts, read 835,123 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GarnerMama View Post
Can you buy a re-wiring kit and replace the thing that holds the bulb and the wire/socket piece? Technical, I know. I had to rewire an antique lamp and took out all of this insides and replaced them.
Any idea where I'd get one from? I'll see how complicated my lamp is - if I'm going to give it a go, I'll give you a heads up to stay clear of my neighborhood!
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Old 06-10-2010, 01:07 PM
 
Location: Morrisville, NC
9,141 posts, read 14,715,987 times
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Yeah, what kind of a lamp is it? Maybe a picture of the current lamp and bulb?

I doubt you can find a place to do it for a reasonable cost as the UL listing would be invalid and the liability risk pretty high for whoever does it.

It might be a pretty easy DIY thing though.
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Old 06-10-2010, 01:20 PM
 
268 posts, read 1,065,795 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BGrant View Post
Any idea where I'd get one from? I'll see how complicated my lamp is - if I'm going to give it a go, I'll give you a heads up to stay clear of my neighborhood!
There are lamp stores around here, but I'd be surprised if HD or Lowes didn't have one. A hobby store like Michaels might have a cheap one. You should be able to reuse the switch if you're stepping down in power?
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Old 06-10-2010, 03:14 PM
 
2,459 posts, read 8,063,990 times
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UK wiring standards have changed over time to align with the folks in Europe so the age of your lamp is important ... what colours are the wires?
Green/Blue/Brown or Green/Black/ Red?

I'm not sure about the validity of reusing the switch because you're stepping down in power ... the power drawn will be determined by the resistance of the light bulb so the power requirements are roughly the same. The issue will be that the 110 V US standard will require roughly twice as much current draw for the same power (UK voltage standard 230V). Twice as much current generates four times as much heat.

These apply for DC, not AC, but for a light bulb its pretty close:

Power = Current x Voltage
Power (lost as heat) = Current x Current x Resistance

Frank
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