Swedish Washing Machine HELP!!! Electrical plug in is weird

[Nabber]

Well long story short is I got a washing machine from one of my clients, and I go to plug this thing in and it's got this weird electrical plug, and I find out it's from Sweden. I went to Home Depot to see if they had an adapter for it but they didn't. I'll probably end up calling an electrician but wanted to see if anyone else has successfully made one of these work in Canada. Any input would be appreciated, thanks in advance.

Pics of plug

http://s686.photobucket.com/albums/v...t=DSC04377.jpg

[Rathji]

This was the first hit googling "Euro to US plug adapter". I have never used this site, and no doubt there are better out there. I just wanted to show you what you are looking for.

Electrical Plug Adapters US to UK and UK to US - also Euro plug adapters

Just make sure it is rated to to the correct wattage for the appliance. Which should be on the appliance itself, somewhere.

[4X4]

Home Depot didn't have a converter? Weak. You can buy a euro converter almost anywhere that you can buy electronics. Try Radio Shack. Barring that, go to Jolinar's place, steal an extension cord, cut the male end off of it, then cut the end off your washing machine cord and splice the wires together.

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Barring that, go to Jolinar's place, steal an extension cord, cut the male end off of it, then cut the end off your washing machine cord and splice the wires together.

man at the rate they go, you'd think he'd be out already.

[Barnes]

Don't bother to take the whole cord, just unplug and cut.

And why did you get a washing machine? Is it the Swedish equivalent to getting a white hat in Calgary?

[BlackArcher101]

You got the short end of the stick on this one. Usually when you get gifts from clients it's booze or a gift basket.

[csnarpy]

Thats a 220 end, if u just use a converter your machine most likely wont work properly.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by csnarpy

Thats a 220 end, if u just use a converter your machine most likely wont work properly.

Exactly. The washer will be 220 volts, and with the amount of power it draws you would be hard pressed to get an adapter that could upconvert 120 to 220 and handle that amount of amperage.

Plus some European washers have heating elements in them to heat the water, so that would be yet another load.

I would say that by the time you get this converted, it will cost you more than buying a decent used one designed for North America.

[Hack&Lube]

Ask your friends who travel. You will need a power transformer due to voltate difference and a travel adapter.

[Biff]

Consult the Bork!

[schnee]

I'm not up on electrical stuff....

Aren't (most) dryers here running on 240v?

Does the washer have any ratings ? can it handle 240v @ 60Hz?
If so... might be able to run a 240V line over into a 240V plug-in.
If the 220V prongs don't match any North American 240V plug-ins... might be able to change the cord to a North American 240V plug?

Even then I'm not sure if this is ok/safe.... I would definitely check with an electrician.

[Locke]

I dont know, my Swedish washing machine has a great rack and her plug-in socket is standard.

[Nabber]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Barring that, go to Jolinar's place, steal an extension cord, cut the male end off of it, then cut the end off your washing machine cord and splice the wires together.

I tried that, even after with the end cut off I tried to just shove it in the socket and nothing .

Thanks for the responses, yeah I figured I'd have to get a converter piece as well as figure out how to change the voltage so it works. I've been kinda lazy haven't even checked to see what it says for voltage on it, but my girlfriend is really starting to give me about not getting it sorted out as her dad just took her old washer and dryer back.

I guess I learned my lesson, when a tenant leaves something behind there's a reason for it, don't thing you've scored even if they are front loading.

[Nancy]

Odds are you'll need to run a new 240V circuit. If you do that, you can buy that type of socket in the parts aisle at HD. Call an electrician. You might also be able to get someone to wire on a standard dryer plug onto your washing machine, but then you wouldn't be able to plug in your dryer.

A convertor probably won't work without a voltage step-up transformer. Also, if the washing machine is rated to consume more than 1800 W or 1800 VA or has a current draw of more than 15A, then it will flip the breaker on a standard 15A circuit... so don't even waste your time looking into an adapter or convertor if that is the case. (Check the manufacturer label on the back.)

[Bagor]

I'd get rid of it.

Not to mention the hassle, you're also talking possible insurance issues.

I guessing here but it's more than likely the machine isn't CSA approved which would probably void your warranty. I think you'll find most (if not all) homeowners insurance policies will include clauses stating that insurers will not be liable for fires caused by electrical appliances that do not carry CSA stickers.

[HPLovecraft]

Sell it on Ebay to someone in Sweden, and have them cover the shipping charges. Of course, add a couple bucks on there for yourself, too, heh-heh-heh.

[Hack&Lube]

Call Anders Eriksson

[Ducay]

That is a NEMA 6-20P plug

Depending on what Wattage/Volts/Amps it is, you could change the plug, but again, depends on the specs of the washer


Looks like this guy had the same issue
http://forum.doityourself.com/electr...-20p-plug.html

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by Locke

I dont know, my Swedish washing machine has a great rack and her plug-in socket is standard.

I think calling this a "washing" machine is kind of a stretch....

Try calling Glazier Electric. That's who I call when I get customers from other countries looking for transformers. 403-283-4111