Mirror light from USA. Can be adapted for UK ???

[Sav]

Hi everyone,

Hope you all had a good week.

Just a quick question about a mirror light a customer got from USA.

I had a look at the mirror with screw in bulbs around it (they are the small es type golfball lamps ).

The lights are set around the mirror (3 on either side) and are controlled by a dimmer at the bottom corner. The is a flex cable from the mirror which has an USA plug top (earth round pin, L & N square pins ). The plug is moulded onto the flex. On the flex, it does state that there is a "Ground wire".

The customer has asked, if I could cut the plug off and put a UK type plug on, so the mirror would work.

My question is, Would that work, or would I blow the lights, switch etc ??? I'm thinking that USA is 110v and may be lamps are the same ??

Your advise and expert help would be great.
Thanks everyone and have a great weekend,

Sav
:smiley2:

 

[telectrix]

see what voltage the lamps are. that will give a clue.

 

[Sav]

Hi,
Thanks telectrix.
I tried that , but the lamps are frosted with no markings.

The bases are the very small screw types, if that helps??

Thanks again for your help,

Sav

 

[Guitarist]

If it was made for the US market then it is without a doubt 110v. I would get a model number off it and e-mail the manufacturer.

 

[telectrix]

if they are sesw, try fitting one in a base then power it from a 110v tranny. if its dim, it's probably 220v.

 

[Knobhead]

If it’s got a built in dimmer that is likely to get toasted as well.

Are there no markings on the fitting? It would be unlike our American cousins not to cover all possibilities when there’s a chance of being sued.

 

[Guitarist]

If it’s got a built in dimmer that is likely to get toasted as well.

Are there no markings on the fitting? It would be unlike our American cousins not to cover all possibilities when there’s a chance of being sued.

It would be more unlike our American cousins to think that there is civilisation outside the US of A tbh.

 

[Sav]

I will go again tomorrow ( as I am doing other work there) and have another look.

Thanks for all the advise so far.

Sav

 

[telectrix]

times like these when a variac would be useful.

 

[Sav]

Hi again,
Customer just called me.
It says on one of the lamps 120v 25w made in China !!

I'm guessing that its not going to work on our system ( unless a long extension lead from USA to London ) !!!!

Do you think that she can get it rewired at a good lighting shop. But then again, they would have to somehow fit new lamp holders ???

Sav

 

[Guitarist]

Offer to rewire it for her. £500 should cover labour and new lamps (assuming holders are 230v rated)

 

[poppypiesdad]

bin the american rubbish

Star Dressing Room Mirror from Lancelyn Theatre Supplies

BUY BRITISH

 

[Engineer54]

The only things that will need changing is the dimmer and the lamps. the wiring and lamp holders will be fine for your 240V supply. Oh, and replace the Yank plug-top too ...lol!!!

Totally baffles me, why people buy electrical equipement from the States, that they KNOW is a different voltage and expect them to just plug in and work when they get back to the UK!!!!

 

[Strima]

Totally baffles me, why people buy electrical equipement from the States, that they KNOW is a different voltage and expect them to just plug in and work when they get back to the UK!!!!

Because people are stupid, this country is full of them. I blame the borrowers they get everywhere...