Running 240v devices on 110v

That Jekka Gal

That Jekka Gal

That Jekka Gal

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I know it’s possible to buy transformers but would running a 240v 800w electric drill out of a 110v socket do any damage to the drill?

I could imagine the reverse situation wouldn’t be advisable but, then again, I know nothing about electrics.

I have tried it briefly and it seems to run fine.
 
Volts x amps = watts

Therefore amps equals 800 over 240 or three and a bit amps

Or 800 over 110 equals seven and a bit amps.

I am not sure it works like that or what you would blow up first however I would get the transformer and run at the correct voltage.
 
That Jekka Gal said:
I know it’s possible to buy transformers but would running a 240v 800w electric drill out of a 110v socket do any damage to the drill?

I could imagine the reverse situation wouldn’t be advisable but, then again, I know nothing about electrics.

I have tried it briefly and it seems to run fine.
Click to expand...

If it does turn on, I don't think you'll be getting 800w from the 110v plug, it's probably still going to run at the same amps as 240v, so the drill may feel weaker than usual because it will be running at 366w instead of 800w.

This can in some instances cause damage to the electronic device you are attempting to use but I don't think there is a universal rule here, some electronics won't like not getting the usual power and die, and some will run but just operate slower than normal.

Some electronics also just won't turn on, TVs for example are unlikely to even turn on, but a rotating motor like a drill or a fan might turn on but just rotate slower than normal. The issue with damage can be more likely when the electronics need cooling - for example some water pumps rely on moving water to cool their own motor, so if you have the wrong voltage and the pump spins too slowly, the pump can overheat and burn out, same if the electronics have cooling fans inside them that don't spin at the right rpm and overheat
 
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Grim5 said:
If it does turn on, I don't think you'll be getting 800w from the 110v plug, it's probably still going to run at the same amps as 240v, so the drill may feel weaker than usual because it will be running at 366w instead of 800w.

This can in some instances cause damage to the electronic device you are attempting to use but I don't think there is a universal rule here, some electronics won't like not getting the usual power and die, and some will run but just operate slower than normal.

Some electronics also just won't turn on, TVs for example are unlikely to even turn on, but a rotating motor like a drill or a fan might turn on but just rotate slower than normal. The issue with damage can be more likely when the electronics need cooling - for example some water pumps rely on moving water to cool their own motor, so if you have the wrong voltage and the pump spins too slowly, the pump can overheat and burn out, same if the electronics have cooling fans inside them that don't spin at the right rpm and overheat
Click to expand...
Went to a local DIY store and found that the appropriate transformer was surprisingly cheap (<£30) so it was a no brainer really.
 
*deep calming breath...*
Hagar said:
Volts x amps = watts

Therefore amps equals 800 over 240 or three and a bit amps

Or 800 over 110 equals seven and a bit amps.
Click to expand...
Right, power is the result of the voltage and current, so the equation is correct but you can't work backwards from 800 watts. The missing factor is resistance.

Lowering the voltage will lower the current, if the resistance (i.e. the load i.e. the motor) is the same. So all other things being the same, lower voltage = lower power.

You can rearrange the above equation and Ohm's law ( V= I x R ) to get Power = Volts² ÷ Resistance.

Grim5 said:
it's probably still going to run at the same amps as 240v, so the drill may feel weaker than usual because it will be running at 366w instead of 800w.
Click to expand...
As above, it won't run at the same amps (current). The voltage and resistance define the current, and the voltage has been lowered so will provide lower current.

I generally wouldn't have recommended running anything with a motor at lower voltages for heat/cooling reasons. Analogue stuff like old amps probably ok. Lots of digital stuff like TVs and phone/laptop chargers can take 90-240V now so will deal fine. They're ultimately all converting down to 5, 12 or 24V DC internally.
 
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