:)Hello
Can I use an espresso machine
Model Technica Voltage/Wattage : 230v,1200w
Frequency : 50/60Hz
I plan on bringing this on America I can post pictures if you want.granted that I will used a transformer/stepdown converter will this affect how the espresso machine work any advice will be greatly appreciated
As long as you have the correct voltage converter, (i.e. with the correct wattage), I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. If your machine is rated at 1,200 Watts, you’re going to want a converter that can handle at least 2,000W, 3,000W to be on the safe side.
I don’t know how big the espresso machine is but a converter that can handle those specs is going to be big and ugly so be prepared.
Saturn : that won’t work.
The problem is that in America, big outlets are rated for 15Amps * 120 Volts = 1800 Watts maximum. Commonly, there are outlets only rated for 10 amps which is not enough to run the machine.
Red08, where will you be using this machine? In a hotel, house, commercial building? If it’s a hotel, they likely have chosen a low amperage for the breakers in the rooms to minimize the risk of fires. There’s some losses in a transformer so you’ll need more than 1200 Watts to run that machine.
Some outlets in America are 240 volts which can run that machine natively. That’s your best be. Hotels often have them for the air conditioner/heater. You would just need a special adapter plug.
you are much better off putting in a 240V receptacle on its own circuit.
change the plug on the machine to fit.
running through a transformer is just a waste of energy and a heat producer.
Transformers are reasonably efficient. They only waste a few % of the energy. Not enough to make any noticable difference. The problem is the total current draw is relatively high for American plugs.
Outlets in the US are typically 15A (1800W @ 120V) or 20A (2400W @ 120V). There is no such thing as a 10A circuit in North America.
Red08 you’ll have no problem if you use a transfomer.
Most Kitchens are provided with at least one 220VAC plug for the electric Oven/range. Many homes/apartments also use 220 VAC for air conditioning units. The same can be done for an additional 220 VAC outlet to power the coffee machine.
It is not usually a difficult or expensive modification to make in a home or apartment.
I agree that using a transformer is a wasteful and heat-generating solution.
Well, if every time you need an espresso you want to drag the stove out (or make a trip to the laundry room and drag the dryer out) you can plug into a 220V outlet.
Actually there might be a converter on the market that works - 1200V is normal for a heating appliance, it would work for hair dryers, kettles, etc. and also coffee machines. However, from what little I know, upconverting is more difficult than downconverting, there are probably devices but likely they would be close to the price of a new espresso machine.
(A 15-amp circuit, the normal circuit in a North American house, should handle one heating appliance up to 1500 watts without problems - unless the builder stuck a bunch of 100-watt bulbs on the same circuit.)
Most converters are for non-heat appliances like computers and chargers; but then most of those sort of devices will handle both 120 and 240 and nowadays converters are needed a lot less. I suspect a heating appliance voltage upconverter is a very specialized appliance, and even more so for high power; nowadays, most appliances are cheap and you might be better off buying a 120V model when you arrive in North America.
A lot of these espresso machines are actually designed in such a way that they can be run in a 110v market with minimal modifications. You’ll probably need to replace the heating element with a 110v one, but the electronics often run on 110v anyways so you just need to do some minor rewiring of the power input block. You might try seeing if there’s a US or Canadian importer who might be able to sell you the part and give you instructions for rewiring.
I just popped in to say that I am insanely envious - the espresso machine looks like something that I would love to have.
Sorry - no suggestions on the voltage issue