# Do wires on different voltages matter? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 22, 2005, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-wires-on-different-voltages-matter/291271 "2005-02-22T01:18:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Keapon\_Laffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e274bd/32.png) [@Keapon\_Laffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keapon_Laffin)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-wires-on-different-voltages-matter/291271/1 "2005-02-22T01:18:24Z")
Gahh, I’m trying so hard to phrase this question right. Okay, I’ve got myself a Japanese appliance which runs at 110v. I’m currently in Australia, where the typical outlet runs a 220v. Now, I’ve got a step-down tranformer thingy which takes the 220v and converts it to 110v. \* The problem I have is that I’m missing the cable which will connect the transformer to the appliance.\* Can I just buy a generic cable from Australia, or do I need a US/Japan cable to run 110v? I’m just worried about frying the damn thing, so I have not yet plugged it in. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-wires-on-different-voltages-matter/291271/2 "2005-02-22T02:00:40Z")
> [@Keapon Laffin](#): > > Gahh, I’m trying so hard to phrase this question right. > > Okay, I’ve got myself a Japanese appliance which runs at 110v. I’m currently in Australia, where the typical outlet runs a 220v. > Now, I’ve got a step-down tranformer thingy which takes the 220v and converts it to 110v. > \* > The problem I have is that I’m missing the cable which will connect the transformer to the appliance.\* > Can I just buy a generic cable from Australia, or do I need a US/Japan cable to run 110v? > > I’m just worried about frying the damn thing, so I have not yet plugged it in. > Any ideas? You should be able to buy a cable in Australia. Take the transformer with you to an electrical/electronic supply house and find a cable with plugs/sockets that fit both your transformer and the appliance. The person at the store with the devices in hand should be able to help you much better than we can ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-wires-on-different-voltages-matter/291271/3 "2005-02-22T02:16:18Z")
As to your original question: yes it matters a lot. If the gauge of the wire isn’t large enough there will be overheating and trouble will follow. However, if Australia uses 220v there is no way that 110v will cause any trouble. Follow **David Simmons** advise and you should have no problems. ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-wires-on-different-voltages-matter/291271/4 "2005-02-22T04:41:52Z")
What does **not** matter is whether the plug matches the Japan/US configuration, which is (I think) what you are asking. As long as the wire is large enough to handle the current, you just need a cord with connectors that will fit your transformer and the appliance. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-wires-on-different-voltages-matter/291271/5 "2005-02-22T18:12:03Z")
The wire size does matter in two “dimensions” You need something with insulation suitable for the voltage You need something large enough to carry the current As your normal power is as 220 volts, any wire or “cordset” (a fancy name for wire with a plug on the end) you’ve got that works with that voltage will work with 110. However many amps the appliance draws at 110 is going to determine the wire gage. If it draws ten amps at 110 volts, use whatever sort of wiring you’d use for ten amps at 220 volts and you’ll be good. What is the appliance, anyway? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-wires-on-different-voltages-matter/291271/6 "2005-02-22T23:10:12Z")
Another consideration is whether or not the appliance frequency and the Australian frequency are the same (if the appliance has a motor, that is). Some 60 Hz motors really don’t like running on 50 Hz. The life of the motor may be shortened by prolonged use at improper frequency. ---
**Author:** ![Keapon\_Laffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e274bd/32.png) [@Keapon\_Laffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keapon_Laffin)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2005, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-wires-on-different-voltages-matter/291271/7 "2005-02-23T00:04:46Z")
_blinks_😕 GAHHHHHHH! I was about the try it until I read the last two posts. Now I’m completely confused. ☹ > [@gotpasswords](#): > > However many amps the appliance draws at 110 is going to determine the wire gage. If it draws ten amps at 110 volts, use whatever sort of wiring you’d use for ten amps at 220 volts and you’ll be good. > > What is the appliance, anyway? > [@Chefguy](#): > > Another consideration is whether or not the appliance frequency and the Australian frequency are the same (if the appliance has a motor, that is). Some 60 Hz motors really don’t like running on 50 Hz. The life of the motor may be shortened by prolonged use at improper frequency. Huh? I was just thinking of getting a simple generic wire that I can buy at any store (which would fit both the appliance and the transformer). The plug head isn’t so much a problem. Do I need to check the amps/frequency? Will all these problems go away if I just buy a cable from U.S./Japan? Thanks to all… FYI, the appliance is a DVD player. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2005, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-wires-on-different-voltages-matter/291271/8 "2005-02-23T00:36:31Z")
> [@Keapon Laffin](#): > > FYI, the appliance is a DVD player. I assume the DVD player doesn’t draw much current. Therefore, just about any cable specified for 120 V or 240 V will work, including cheap zip cord / lamp cord. ---
**Author:** ![tadc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f07891/32.png) [@tadc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tadc)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2005, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-wires-on-different-voltages-matter/291271/9 "2005-02-23T05:28:27Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > However many amps the appliance draws at 110 is going to determine the wire gage. If it draws ten amps at 110 volts, use whatever sort of wiring you’d use for ten amps at 220 volts and you’ll be good. As is typical around here, people are trying to make this more complicated than it need be. If it draws 10 amps at 110, it will draw 5 amps at 220, which is the same amount of power (watts). But none of that makes any difference in your application. In fact, it’s possible that you dont’ even need the conversion transformer. Look on the back of the appliance, and it should say something about so many volts and so many Hz. Many modern electronic appliances are made to take anything from 100-240V and 50-60 Hz.