220v - Any compatibility issues?

[Jackthebiscuit]

Excuse me if this has been covered elsewhere, I'm looking at possibly bringing in a CD player from the Orient which is configured for 220v. Would there be any compatibility issues running it from UK mains?

 

[michaelab]

No, there won't be a problem. The real issues are with US equipment which runs at 110V and 60Hz (instead of 50Hz like most of the world).

Michael.

 

[HenryT]

Speaking as someone who has personally brought back the odd 220V electrical items from Hong Kong into the UK, I can confirm what Michael says i.e. that they'll no be probs.

No entirely sure how significant the 50/60Hz mains frequency issue is though for items from continental North America teritories though. Yes, I could imagine that if the mains frequency is used to regulate say the speed of a motor on a t/t say for example, that could be a bit of a problem. Having said that I've recently imported a 120V US/Canadian spec CD player which I've been happily using with a step down transformer for a couple of weeks now with no issues.

This link has a useful table of worldwide mains voltage standards:

http://www.powerstream.com/CV.htm