Ordering a Router from the U.S.

[paulc]

Hello forum, I am considering odering a Dewalt 625 3hp VSE Plunge Router from the States, Are the power ratings completely different or will I just need to change the plug ? Also does anyone know if this is the equvalent to the European model DW625EK, Thanks alot , Paul.

 

[jasonB]

US will be 110volts, 60Hz. UK are 240volts 50HZ. By the time you have bought a transformer put up with a reduced speed and have no warranty added VAT and import duty is it really worth the effort :?:

It is basically the same machine apart from the above.

Jason

 

[Scrit]

One question is whether or not you'd have problems with the electrinic speed control. As Jason says, with a 2kVA transformer, carriage and Customs/VAT are you going to save anything over the current low price in the UK of around £210 inc. VAT?

Scrit

 

[mark_h]

I imported a Porter Cable fixed base model, simply because I could not buy that type of router in the UK. It works fine through a site transformer. My DW625 equivalent (Trend T11) I bought in the UK to get UK voltage and warranty, I felt it wasn't economical or worth the risk to get this as an import.

 

[Simoli]

If I recall using a transformer only changes the voltage output, not the frequency.

 

[jasonB]

If I recall using a transformer only changes the voltage output, not the frequency.

Thats correct, and is why I said the speed will be reduced. as the different frequency alters the speed but don't ask me for the maths to prove it :?

Jason

 

[johnelliott]

If I recall using a transformer only changes the voltage output, not the frequency.

Thats correct, and is why I said the speed will be reduced. as the different frequency alters the speed but don't ask me for the maths to prove it :?

Jason

Only with induction motors. Series motors (those with brushes) don't depend on the frequency

John

 

[Permutation_Jim]

Folks,

(Preface: not an electrician... just some guy)

A number of my power tools are US running though a "big yellow box" and I've found few problems with it.

I'd recommend ordering a heavy duty US extension cord (one meant for a refrigerator or an air conditioner) then cut off the "male" end, replacing it with the goofy yellow "male" plug for the transformer.

All my "yellow" stuff came from ScrewFix, and the one yellow-to-US cord generally stays with the yellow box. I've a 3,000 watt permanently installed in the workshop and a little 750 watt I use for on-site work (mostly the small routers or sanders).

One word of warning... while the difference in US / UK frequency (60 vs. 50 cycles per second, respectively) may not be a big issue for speed, in many cases that difference results in the build-up of some additional heat.

This is not a problem for name-brand tools (I would die of exhaustion before my 110v Milwaukee Sawzall gave out), however it is good to pay attention to the "feel" of US tools when used over here. I've found it particularly true with sanders... both my 110v Bosch belt and RO get hot enough for me to notice, when used in anger, at which point I take a breather.

Also, if you're absolutely insane, you can get box of US power sockets (run back to a yellow box) and have duel power throughout your workshop. But that's just silly, right?

Thanks, Jim

 

[Waka]

Also, if you're absolutely insane, you can get box of US power sockets (run back to a yellow box) and have duel power throughout your workshop. But that's just silly, right?

Guess I'm insane then because I have both fixed 110 & 240 volt systems in my WS, and very useful they are.

 

[Scrit]

Must be me, but I just cut off the wimpy, underspecified, rubbishy US plugs and replace them with BS.4343 plugs which are compatible with my site transformer and site extension cable not to mention being almost impossible to pull out by accident.

Scrit

 

[Roger]

Thank you for using the DEWALT® web site.

The tools will work on a transformer, the only thing is that the tools may run slightly slower on 50hz current as opposed to 60hz current.

The DW9108 will work on a transformer, it may take a little longer to charge the batteries

That was the reply I got from DeWalt before I moved here from the States. I've used them all with a Transformer ever since and had no problems whatsoever. The DW9108 is a Battery Charger by the way.

 

[cutting42]

Only with induction motors. Series motors (those with brushes) don't depend on the frequency

John

John is correct.

All motors DC or AC require a changing phase (direction) of current so that one section of the motor rotor is attracted and then repelled by the field. In DC Brush motors this is done by having brushes contact a series of pads on the rotoe shaft which reverses the current flow several times per revolution.

Most of the motors used in portable tools are called "Universal Motors" which are AC driven but use brushes. They are cheap, powerful, can be easily speed controlled and light but can be noisy and have higher maintenance (brushes).

Induction motors use the natural phase change in the supply current 50/60 hz to drive the motor. To change the speed you will need to alter the frequency of the input current which can get expensive, especially in 3phase. Actually induction motors work much better in 3 phase and in single phase you need a starter capacitor/coil but they are still nice cos they are quiet.

HTH

 

[Anonymous]

If I recall using a transformer only changes the voltage output, not the frequency.

Thats correct, and is why I said the speed will be reduced. as the different frequency alters the speed but don't ask me for the maths to prove it :?

Jason

Not quite correct.

For a brushed type motor (router has one of these) rather than an inductive motor (table saws etc.) the frequency of the supply voltage has nothing at all to do with the motor spped. Brushes and commutator actually rectify (change AC to DC) and the motor itself is running on DC current (0Hz).
So motor speed for the router is the same in UK or US once the voltage is transformed to circa 220/240V



For a table saw etc. which usually have an induction motor, the speed will be reduced in UK over US unless the motor is driven by an electronic speed controller when the speed will be the same for both countries

 

[Scrit]

For a brushed type motor (router has one of these) rather than an inductive motor (table saws etc.) the frequency of the supply voltage has nothing at all to do with the motor spped. Brushes and commutator actually rectify (change AC to DC) and the motor itself is running on DC current (0Hz). So motor speed for the router is the same in UK or US once the voltage is transformed to circa 220/240V

So how does the electronic speed controller in a router actually work? Is it like the bipolar choppers used to control DC stepper motors or is there a different principle at work? What I'm trying to ask is why is it that a number of power tool manufacturers warn against using variable-speed power tools 60Hz tools on 50Hz supplies?

For a table saw etc. which usually have an induction motor, the speed will be reduced in UK over US unless the motor is driven by an electronic speed controller when the speed will be the same for both countries

Hmmmmm.... Never come across a table saw with a VFD (variable frequency drive) yet, although I do know of some engineering kit which has them (and for that matter some feeder mechanisms and spindle moulders these days)

Scrit

 

[Jake]

Hmmmmm.... Never come across a table saw with a VFD (variable frequency drive) yet, although I do know of some engineering kit which has them (and for that matter some feeder mechanisms and spindle moulders these days)

The Festool CS70 does (and the CS50, I think).

 

[Stoday]

What I'm trying to ask is why is it that a number of power tool manufacturers warn against using variable-speed power tools 60Hz tools on 50Hz supplies?

Scrit

It's to do with the magnetic circuit. Windings around the laminated iron fiels of the motor have enough turns to saturate the iron without exceeding the saturation level. For 60Hz the number of turns allow the iron to nearly saturate in 8mS, a half cycle at 60Hz. At 50Hz the half cycle lasts 10mS and the iron would go into saturation. That will cause the current to increase and the electrical efficiency to drop.

This effect does not happen the other way round and it is OK to run 50Hz equipment on 60Hz.

 

[Colin C]

Must be me, but I just cut off the wimpy, underspecified, rubbishy US plugs and replace them with BS.4343 plugs which are compatible with my site transformer and site extension cable not to mention being almost impossible to pull out by accident.

Scrit

HI Scrit,

I have just got an Impact driver ( US ) and would like to know if it matters which way round the wires go in the 110v plug

This is for the charger

 

[Scrit]

Hmmmmm.... Never come across a table saw with a VFD (variable frequency drive) yet, although I do know of some engineering kit which has them (and for that matter some feeder mechanisms and spindle moulders these days)

The Festool CS70 does (and the CS50, I think).

Are they table saws with induction motors, or portables? I've seen them described as having universal motors rather than induction motors

Scrit

 

[Scrit]

I have just got an Impact driver ( US ) and would like to know if it matters which way round the wires go in the 110v plug

This is for the charger

As a site transformer is 110 volt centre tapped my understanding is that one wire is 55 volts + and the other 55 volts - so according to the guy who does my PAT testing it doesn't matter which way round they go. At least I haven't blown anything up - yet

Scrit

 

[Roger]

No it doesn't matter Colin. I've got several States side tools which have these identical double copper wires with no colour coding. Just wire them into the plug any way you fancy! - Pos and Neg and they're fine