I recently purchased a sewing machine from the United Kingdom. It states on the back: 240v 50Hz 15W. I need to know what size of a step up step down transformer I need to purchase to use this machine in the USA.

I appreciate your help in this matter.

Thanks.

<b>Moderator's Note:</b> I know this question does not fall within the usual bounds of questions posted on Control.com. One of the fun things about being a moderator is when someone posts a non-industry question that I think forum readers would enjoy answering. So, what do you say folks, help this person out?

 

You can use one rated at 50 VA or higher. The smallest I've commonly seen (for automation) is about 125 VA. Automation Direct carries these at commodity prices. And yes, you can use them either as step up or step down. Some of the solutions offered as travel converters, etc. are pretty spendy.

The universal type can go from 120 240 480 to 120 240 480 depending on haw they are jumpered.

Regards
cww

 

Depending on the motor(s) in the machine, just stepping the voltage up to 230V may not solve your problem. A normal motor designed for 50hz will run 20% faster at 60% and may use a lot more torque and current depending on the work required. hard to tell with something like this what the motor will do if you put 60 Hz on it.

 

Is there any concern for the different frequency rating of the sewing machine (50 Hz)?

I imagine (another name for a SWAG--Scientific Wild-Arsed Guess) that the sewing machine, if newer, will have some kind of electronic speed control (variable frequency drive?) to control the speed of the motor, which might make it okay for the frequency difference. But, .... we don't really know enough about the sewing machine and its age and construction. Personally, I'd be a little concerned about using the rated mains (supply) frequency.

Just a thought.

 

I don't think a 50W sewing machine is going to do anything too crazy. It's likely a universal motor with a carbon pile controller so the frequency won't make much difference. It's a question outside our normal frame of reference, but my late wife possessed a rather eclectic collection of such beasts. And I was expected to make whatever she dragged home work:^).

Regards
cww