Forget for a second they call it "earthing" and we call it "grounding", but Gaugemaster is made to run off UK common 230v. Obviously most homes here in the US are wired for 120V, but wiring a 220V out of a panel is not a big deal, is what most large appliances here require. Here's the debate I am having with some others: 220V, to an extent even 240V, is figured with a tolerance most of the time that is (if I remember correctly) +/- 10-15%. Therefore, it seems to make sense that a 230V UK appliance should run off 220V house breaker without a transformer, just have to change the outlet itself to accept the different plug. Can anyone confirm or squash this? It kindasorta makes sense to me, but I am highly skeptical. I know they make travel adapters for 230 to 120v for hair dryers and such when you travel there, but those are short running small appliances. If it were that easy, I would be finding 230-to-220 adapter heads all over the interwebs, and I'm not. A 230V DC powerhead would be on much longer with much more of a load on the circuit. This is the culprit in question btw: https://www.gaugemasterretail.com/magento/gaugemaster-gmc-q.html Everything I read about Gaugemaster says they make a really great product - would hate to drop all that money on it just to set it on fire
(ps - please feel free to move if this is the wrong board. I was thinking 'electronics' even though is not 'DCC')
I think it would run fine... https://homeimprovementer.com/difference-between-220-and-240-volt-wiring/ ... not saying I would do this here (U.S.) when most people will assume probably that it is 110 volts (sorry 120 volts ). I have a number of 220-240 circuits in the shop and house (dryer, water heater, welders, air compress, car lift and mill & lathe) don't think I'd ever want one going to the layout. Sumner
It will work fine. Keep in mind that 240VAC is just the voltage between two 120VAC lines that are 180 degrees out of phase with each other; but neither leg of the 240VAC pair is more than 120VAC WRT ground/neutral. I'm in the camp that believes all household AC outlets should be 240VAC anyway. Look at most modern, efficient DC supplies that have a separable power cord between the wall outlet and the transformer/rectifier/regulator unit (brick). Most of them are rated for up to 240VAC. They just draw half the current (out of the wall) when they are powered by 240VAC (compared to when plugged into a 120VAC outlet.) The manufacturer can serve most international markets with only a different cord between the brick and the wall outlet. My table saw, planer/jointer, drill press, wood lathe and dust collector all run off 240VAC. And of course the A/C and the oven run off 240VAC too. Furnace, HWH, and cooktop are natural gas.
