Lighting- international voltage differences

[Bon Sawyer]

Hi all,

Lighting seems to be quite expensive to purchase here in Australia, so I'm thinking of importing from the U.S.

Lowel's models (e.g the Omni Light) appear to be both 120v and 220/240v compatible.

Is it simply a matter of switching the light to 220/240v mode and using a power cable with an Australian-style plug (and if so, is it a generic type of cable)? Or is there more to it than that?

Thanks,

-Bon

[Donald Giesen]

I bought some Lowel Omni's second hand and brought them to Kenya, which uses 220/240V. I had to replace the 120V lamps that came with the Omni's with 220/240V versions. The other alternative is to get an external voltage converter but they are heavy and a bit expensive.

Hope that helps.


Donald

[Bon Sawyer]

Thanks for the response. By "lamps," you mean you had to simply replace the bulbs?

Cheers,

-Bon

[Robert Double]

Yes that is what he means, bulbs.

I have also bought some Britek lights from the US and changed the globes for 220/240V versions. What you need to check for is :

1. The light/lamp is designed for dual voltage ie. 220 & 110V. Most lamps have this information silk screened on them or easily found in the manufacturers specs.

2. Make sure you buy the correct 220/240V globes for the lamp. If the lamp supports 220/240V globes then this will also normally be imprinted on the lamp somewhere, or in a spec sheet.

I have a couple of Britek lights and the globes that it supports are silk screened on the lamp itself. One of my Britek's supports three globes one 220V, the other two are 110V at different wattages. One thing that I have noticed, the 220V globe that is supported is normally a different wattage to the 110V eg. the 110V globe is 600W, and the 220/240V globe is 800W.

Cheers

Robert