AllExperts > Electrical Wiring in the Home 
Search      
Electrical Wiring in the Home
Volunteer
Answers to thousands of questions
 Home · More Electrical Wiring in the Home Questions · Answer Library  · Encyclopedia ·
More Electrical Wiring in the Home Answers
Question Library

Ask a question about Electrical Wiring in the Home
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login

Awards

About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer

 
 
 
 
About Master Bob
Expertise
Master Electrician / Owner RKO Electric (USA Only) - can answer most of the typical residential, commercial and industrial electrical questions regarding new installations, wiring additions, lighting, switches and receptacle outlets and electrical upgrades of any nature.I will make every effort to respond to your questions as soon as possible at the end of the work day...very busy electrical company - your patience is appreciated. Stop by and see us at: www.rkoelectric.com

Experience
Licensed Master Electrician with over 32 years licensed experience - updated with the latest NEC Codes every 3 years. Over see the daily electrical operations of two electrical companies. Also serve as a judge (for Electrical Contracting Products Magazine) to help select which new products are fit and safe for electricians and the electrical market.
 
   

You are here:  Experts > Home/Garden > Home Improvement/Repair > Electrical Wiring in the Home > converting European light fixture for use in US

Electrical Wiring in the Home - converting European light fixture for use in US


Expert: Master Bob - 11/22/2004

Question
Thanks in advance for your service. We recently purchased a pull-down light fixture in Vienna, Austria and want to install it in our home in Vermont. There is a lot of information out there about how to deal with US electric appliances in Europe, but nothing I can find about how to adapt our European fixture for US use. Can I simply change the plug and use a US-rated bulb or is there more to do?  

Answer
Hi Stan,

 Based on your description....this is simply a light fixture..made overseas....and can take standard incandecent bulb made for US fixtures (IF a US bulb will fit the socket..?). If so....then it is strictly a resistive fixture....and changing the plug to a US style should do the trick.
 
 But....without being able to examine this Austrian fixture...and it's wiring - it's impossible for me to tell.

 Austria has a 230 volt supply....where the USA has a 120 volt supply....but both use 2 wire for lamps....so changing the plug to a US style should do the trick....but I have no way to confirm that where it is a foreign model.

 For more on foreign voltages and adapters, see:

http://kropla.com/electric2.htm

 Hope this helps...if you need more details, please follow-up.


Best Wishes,

Bob Osgood
Master Electrician

RKO ELECTRIC

www.rkoelectric.com


Ask a Question


 
About Electrical Wiring in the Home
This site answers questions related to home electrical wiring, home wiring, general electrical help,and other electrical questions related to aleternating current (AC). You can find help on the National Electical Code, home electrical issues, wiring electrical outlets, installing lighting, electrical grounding, and general electrical help for do-it-yourself projects not require an electrician. If you do not see your home electrical wiring question answered in this area then please ask your electrical wiring question here
User Agreement | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy | Help
Copyright  © 2008 About, Inc. AllExperts, AllExperts.com, and About.com are registered trademarks of About, Inc. All rights reserved.