240 volts into a 220 volt machine ?

[Blister]

As above , Is that OK or boom fizz puff of smoke

 

[TheUnicorn]

i certainly wouldn't take my word for it and go and plug stuff in, but I thought that normally 220v and 240v were nominal labels and in reality most machines operated at around 230 with a fair degree of leeway.

I look forward to being told I'm wrong

 

[Spectric]

More info, Uk nominal is 230 volts, where I am it is 236 volts average but with highs and lows.

 

[Sideways]

Our place, mains exceeds 250V for minutes at a stretch on an almost daily basis.
Nothing has blown up yet ....
Everything in Europe in the last decade or two is designed to tolerate 220-240V plus some overvoltage tolerance.
Personally, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Blister]

It is a Canadian lathe , shows 220 volts on the machine.

 

[Sideways]

Photo of the motor rating plate ?
Canada is 120v 60Hz mains as I understand, so it may be a white Canadian Oneway lathe factory fitted with a 220v motor for export. Oneway were imported into the UK for many years but no longer.
A motor rated at 50 and 60hz has some margin in it as the power is higher at 60hz. From a heat and dissipation point of view only, slightly high voltage will be offset by it being used at the lower frequency.

 

[okeydokey]

Make sure its not 120 volts - I thought that is the standard for Canada.

I think UK voltage is usually 230 nowadays so imo if it is 220 go ahead should be fine

 

[Sideways]

No. EU standard is 230 plus a tolerance, minus another tolerance.
The tolerances are big enough to allow the UK to keep pumping 240v out of our sockets while much of continental europe pump 220v out of theirs. Only the specifications changed, not the measured voltages.

 

[Inspector]

The designations here are nominal, not absolute. I took a walk around the shop and the different motor data plates are marked with 208V though 240V (110V/115V/120V for lower voltage stuff) and they all run fine on whatever the power company is supplying. The 240V won't hurt the lathe. What kind is it? A Oneway or a General?

Pete

 

[Duncan A]

Oneway were imported into the UK for many years but no longer.

Unfortunately, they're now sold by Hope Woodturning.
I say "unfortunately" because they're very tempting!
Duncan

 

[Sideways]

Unfortunately, they're now sold by Hope Woodturning.
I say "unfortunately" because they're very tempting!
Duncan

That's great news.
It used to be the independent tool dealer near Oxford whom I visited once just before they closed down.
Good to hear that they are available again.
It's a very cool design.

 

[niemeyjt]

I thought Europe was nearer 220v and UK nearer 240v. But to make life easier it is just called 230V.

update - I just stuck a meter in my Swiss sockets - 231/232v.

 

[Blister]

 

[Scruples]

i certainly wouldn't take my word for it and go and plug stuff in, but I thought that normally 220v and 240v were nominal labels and in reality most machines operated at around 230 with a fair degree of leeway.

I look forward to being told I'm wrong

The rating of 220 to 240V for any electrical equipment is OK with a 240V supply.

 

[John Brown]

Single phase
The UK's traditional 240 VAC voltage was harmonized to 230 VAC +10% to -6%, which is 216.2–253.0 volts.

 

[HamsterJam]

From the introduction of The Electricity Supply Act in 1925, the supply voltage for single-phase supplies in the UK was 240V +/- 6%, giving a possible range of voltage from 226V to 254 V.
In 1988 it was agreed by the EU that single-phase mains electricity supplies would be harmonised across Europe effective from 1995 to 230 volts (previously UK was 240v and Europe 220v).
In 1995 the allowable tolerance range was widened to be -6% to +10% (I.e. 216.2 volts to 253 volts) and this allowed the UK to be compliant with the EU directive without actually changing any infrastructure.
The electricity companies are legally bound to supply power within the tolerance range and manufacturers should design their equipment accordingly.

 

[Doug B]

View attachment 194295

That’s 60 hertz & we are 50 hertz Allan, so generally not compatible with our 230v 50Hz supply, best bet would be to contact the lathe manufacturer.

 

[MorrisWoodman12]

When designing electronic products for the UK, European and US markets (until I retired in 2016) and subsequently taking it for compliance testing it had to run safely from 90VAC to 264VAC. That top limit is 240V +10% so your 240VAC should be perfectly safe if the equipment is rated properly.

 

[TheUnicorn]

what is the effective of the Hertz?

 

[ps.harris80]

One point to remember, whilst the USA and Canada have a 110v system they do also have the ability to supply 240v for certain higher power needs, this I suspect what the lathe is designed for. Now the question is would a motor designed for 240v 60Hz run ok on out 230 (ish) 50Hz supply. I suspect possibly yes but it may run a little slower than expected due to the lower frequency.

No expert though so more research will be needed