Japanese appliances in the US - converter recs

Harvey

先輩

10 Jun 2002

466

9

• 3 Apr 2008

• #1

Does anyone here use appliances purchased in Japan in the US regularly?

I'm wondering if there are recommendations on converters required to adjust the voltage.

Once I had a converter I used in Europe for Japanese appliances, but the converter literally melted. Since then I have come to think that all converters are not created equally.

Any advice appreciated!

 

nice gaijin

Resident Realist

Moderator

Donor

Twenty-year veteran

8 Aug 2005

7,316

3,727

• 3 Apr 2008

• #2

Japan and the US are not so different in this regard. Japanese plugs are mostly ungrounded and non-polarized, so you can use them in American outlets without issue for the most part (I have heard that certain appliances can act funny across the ocean due to the slight difference in voltage, but I haven't noticed any such problem with my appliances). You might need an adapter (note the difference between adapter and converter) to go the other way, as polarized or 3-prong plugs will not fit into most Japanese outlets.

 

Numark

先輩

16 Apr 2005

156

3

• 3 Apr 2008

• #3

the US runs on
120 Volt/60 hz,

and Japan runs on
100 Volt/60 or 50 hz

Things from the US running in Japan will charge a bit slower (in the case of things like ipods/laptops) or will run a bit slower (fans etc.)

I would assume the inverse is true for Japanese Devices in the U.S., which could be more problematic. I think the difference is close enough though, that most small things should be alright.

The difference in Hz may cause anything with a motor to burn out faster...

 

Harvey

先輩

10 Jun 2002

466

9

• 3 Apr 2008

• Thread starter
• #4

I have fried Japan purchased devices in the past by running them from the 20 V higher US sockets without protection. I'm looking for a converter for sensitive devices such as those.

Anyone have any converter recommendations?

 

DoctorP

先輩

3 Jun 2004

2,193

93

• 5 Apr 2008

• #5

Harvey said:

I have fried Japan purchased devices in the past by running them from the 20 V higher US sockets without protection. I'm looking for a converter for sensitive devices such as those.

Anyone have any converter recommendations?

Click to expand...

You are looking for a Step down transformer. Go to your local electronics store and ask for one. They may not stock them, but you can order one. It will step the voltage down from 120V to 100V. IMO it is not necessary, unless you are working with very detailed electronics. If you are merely using a VCR, fan, rice cooker, etc...then you really won't need one.