Will My Australian Wattage Blow the Bulb on my US Light?

Question

I have just purchased a lava lamp from America. I've just bought a transformer, which does not protect from surges, just converts the outlet into something I can plug in to my Australian power supply.

My question is this -if my lamp's bulb is 100 watts, do I have to worry about the bulb blowing from too much power?

Answer 1

Several ways to solve your problem:

The most easy way and cheap........replacing the USA light bulb that rates at 115 volts 100 watts with a local make 240 volts 100 watts light bulb.

If the lamp socket does not fit,a voltage step down device is needed to bring down the 240 volts into 115 volts,and you lamp still use the same USA made 115 volts light bulb.

Nowaday, the voltage step down device make of Triac (semi-conductor electronic parts) is available in the market. It is small,light weight and might be cheaper than a step down transformer (240 volts converts into 115 volts AC). Besides,a 100 watts transformer is quite heavy and big.

Do not purchase a 100 watts transformer to light up a single 100 watts lamp. Because the transformer become full load and getting quite hot. Always purchase some higher wattage transformer like 150 watts or higher to support a lamp load of 100 watts. The transformer shall last longer life and  safer from catch fire (if you over load the transformer without a fuse to protect it ). A 200 watts tranformer creats less heat when it  supports a 100 watts light bulb,compare to a 100 watts transformer supports to a 100 watts light bulb.

I think you better buy the semi-conductor type step down device,it creats less heat.

Answer 2

Wattage is not your problem.

Your American Lamp and transformer run 115 volts probably reduced to about 12 volts out at the lamp. you need a transformer that will go from 240 Australian to whatever the input voltage is on the lamp.

The easiest way is to look at the American power unit and see what the out put is and then match it with a comparable Australian unit.

100 Watts US is the same as 100 Watts Australian or anywhere, that's just the amount of power the globe draws for want of a better term.

If you are at all uncertain take it to an electrician or a d**k Smith/Tandy or Jaycar store and they will advise you on the best power unit to use.

p4p

Answer 3

NO... the transformer converts both the voltage and the current... you should be OK if the transformer is rated for at least 100 watts.

Answer 4

Volts is all you have to worry about. Do not exceed the maxium watts printed on the lamp as this can cause it to overheat. You may be able to get away with just replacing the bulb with one of the same wattage but correct volts and not useing a transformer but the lamp will not be tested and approved to operate on 240 volts. You could get an electrician to look at it and it would be cheaper and easier than useing a transformer.