When considering what to bring remember that the UK supply is 240 volts AC and the supply frequency is 50 cycles per second (or 50Hz). Appliances that operate on 110 volts will require adaptor plugs, converters, or a transformer. 

 The UK uses an electrical plug with 3 square pins (the third pin is for the Earth or Ground wire). UK plugs contain a removable fuse with a 3, 5 or 13 amp rating applicable to the appliance. 

Lighting

By all means bring light fittings, or table and standard lamps with you, but don't bring 110 volt bulbs - they'll explode!! UK light bulbs are usually bayonet fitting, although some lighting units take screw fitting (Edison) bulbs. Many specialist lighting shops stock a range of Edison screw bulbs.

For safety, metal lamps are best rewired with 3-core cable so that the metal base can be earthed or grounded. 

Some houses have 2 Amp lighting circuits for table and standard lamps, often supplied by a dimmer control. These fittings use a smaller size plug with three small round pins and no fuse.

Household Appliances

The cost of transformers means it may not be economical to bring small items such as hairdryers, irons and toasters, as they can be purchased at a reasonable price in the UK. One major UK home appliance retailer is Currys. Click here to jump to their web site to get an idea of UK home appliance prices. 

It can be worth bringing larger items which won't move once in place. 

Check out the available space in your new home before deciding whether to ship fridges, freezers, washing machines and dryers. Most European appliances fit into a standard size "hole" which is 600mm (roughly 2 feet) wide and about the same deep. Plumbing and waste connections are different, but can usually be worked around.

Computer Equipment

Most internal and external modems will work fine in the UK. You'll need an adapter to convert your jack to the standard UK phone jack. These are easily obtainable. If your modem has a fully detachable cable, its often cheaper to just replace the cable, buying an RJ45 male to UK male cable for use in the UK.

TVs and Videos

The problem here is that foreign TVs and Videos do not work in the UK because of the various systems used throughout the world. It is possible, though, to buy a multi-spec TV in the US before coming to the UK.

If you have young children who are very fond of certain children's videos, then by all means bring your current TV and video player with you, and use it solely for playing pre-recorded videos. You'll need a transformer for power. Otherwise, we'd suggest that you leave your TV and video behind.

There is no easy way to explain the differences but the technical specification of TV in your country and the UK is explained on this website  www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Contrib/WorldTV/broadcast.html

Information on Standards Conversion is also available on www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Contrib/WorldTV/conversion.html  

Information on the various video formats and conversion standards is available on   www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Contrib/WorldTV/video.html

These two tables are extracts from www.ee.surrey.ac.uk and may help explain some of the differences. An explanation of the 'TV Code' in the first table is provided in the second table.

Transformer Advice  

Step-down transformers are easily available for all electrical equipment with a rated power consumption of up to 1.5 Kilowatts (that’s 1500W or 1500VA).

Most step down transformers come with either one or two US-style outlets built into the unit. The cheapest type of step down transformers use electronics to "clip" the sine wave of the supply frequency, and so producing the lower output voltage. Be warned that this type of step down device will not power anything containing an AC motor, for these, a full (i.e. fully wound, heavy) step down transformer is needed.

When deciding which size of step down device to use, check the wattage ( 1 Watt is the same as 1 Volt Ampere, or rather 1W = 1VA ) of the appliance that you intend to connect. The step down device rating should exceed this!!

A UK supplier is www.maplin.co.uk. A search for 'auto-transformers US' at www.maplin.co.uk will take you to Maplin's transformers for USA to UK conversions for small appliances from 100VA up to 650VA. They will also be able to provide appropriate Transformers to visitors from countries other than the USA.

Stereos and Audio Equipment

To use your Stereo and Audio equipment in the UK you will need a Transformer to convert the electrical supply to match that required for your equipment.

UK supply frequency is 50 Hertz. Older systems designed solely to work at 60 Hertz may not play records, tapes or CD's at the correct speed. 

The bandwidth of European FM radio stations is much narrower than in North America - many European stereos increase in 25 KHz steps (i.e. 98.000 MHz, then 98.025 MHz) rather than 100 KHz steps (98.0 MHz, then 98.1 MHz). Older US stereos will work, but in some areas you may get co-channel interference and hear two radio stations at once.

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