220V 50Hz Fluorescent to 110V 60Hz?

[tc99]

I purchased some glass lighted shelves in Italy and need to install them in my home in Canada. The fixture inside is 220-240V 50Hz with a 21W fluorescent tube. Can I connect them to my 110V 60Hz? I plugged one in and it seems to work. I also purchased a 110V 60Hz fixture here in Canada but it is slightly larger and will not fit in the glass shelf even though the fluorescent tubes seem to be the same. This is a big problem for me and any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Tim

 

[malcolmsanford]

I'm very suprised it worked Tim, as the biggest problem you will face is the frequency difference. It is not a problem transforming voltage I'm sure in Canada you can buy 220/110 auto transformers it is trying to convert the 50hz to 60hz that will give you a problem.

If they are firing now, you may be lucky and have HF ballast that is dual frequency, have a check on it and see if by the voltage indicator if it says 50/60hz

 

[tc99]

Thanks Malcolm, the unit only says 50Hz not 50/60Hz. There isn't much room for a transformer either.

 

[malcolmsanford]

I would say Tim your living on borrowed time I'm afraid. Obviously the lower voltage will not blow your lamps if it were the other way round ie you had 110 and plugged into 220 then they would blow instantly.

You could gerry rig a transformer at the origin of the circuit, I would imagine that the lamps are wired in parallel and then come off the shelves in a lead with a plug attached. You could get a large enough auto transformer to plug the lead into and then into your wall socket.

But if they are firing now on the 60hz cycle then it is just a matter of time before the ballast will blow