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Using UK electrical appliances in Brussels
I am moving to Brussels shortly and want to use household appliances bought in UK, e.g. microwave, vacuum cleaner, heated clothes dryer (but not washing machine or dishwasher). I know that travel adaptors are not suitable for long-term use but I don't know if I need converters or transformers. Most appliances will be in use for less than one hour but the heated clothes dryer (low energy heated clothes 'horse') is used for many hours at a time. Can anyone advise, please? WT
They'll all work fine without a transformer.
You can also just change the plugs on the devices as no transformer is required. All of Europe is 220/240 not like the USA 120.
As Richard notes above, go to Brico, or another hardware store and buy new Belgian plugs. Change the plugs. It really isn't that hard. You can find tutorials and stuff on the internet.
All of Europe, including the UK, is nominally 230 volts 50 hertz.
I changed plugs wherever possible, but for those (low wattage) items where the UK plug was integrated with a transformer, I brought over a couple of blocks of switched 4-gang UK sockets and attached Belgian plugs to the block cables. I remembered to bring over a supply of UK cartridge fuses of various ratings too - although I have not yet (in almost 10 years) had to replace any.
I've used adaptors (for items like a hairdryer and laptop, at least) for ages without any problems.
Spend a small amount on decent adaptors we use them wirhout an issue sometime for a long time especially on transformer style plugs. Your tv etc will all work kust fine also be aware some placea the wiring standard wasnt high in the past and maybe light bulbs blow fast etc. Happy travels
I am surprised that someone did not pipe up about the UK being 240 volts.
That changed as of UK Government agreeing to harmonization at 230V on 9th March 1993.
It is now 230v +10% -6%,
Adaptors are illegal ( call your insurance company ).
D. Deckers
Electronics engineer.
I notice the comment that adaptors are illegal and I remember some years ago when a severe electric storm blew out our computer and the TV. The first thing that the insurance assessor did, knowing that we were Brits, was to check that we were using correct plugs and not adaptors.
He assured us that, had he found adaptors, the insurance company would not have paid up as they are only intended for occasional use - on holiday, for example.
