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I'd like to buy this light fitting from a US supplier.

I plan to get it shipped to the UK and wire it up. Is there anything I should look our for when wiring a light fitting made for the US market into a UK power supply?

I'm aware US mains is 110v and UK is 230-240v, but will this cause an issue in terms of the fitting ?

We are controlling all lighting in the project from a Lutron Homeworks QS control system (not sure if that makes a difference).

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  • Do they use Edison Sockets where you are going? Ask Distributor for 240V replacements that are socket compatible. westelm.co.uk/we-uk-store-locations Dec 28, 2016 at 19:57
  • thanks but West Elm US and UK wont get involved in this issue.. which is a pain. Not a problem though to source 240v lamps that are compatible from an electrical wholesaler, my main concern is if there is anything else i should be taking into account in terms of compatibility ?
    – sam
    Dec 28, 2016 at 20:15
  • These are tungsten lamps so the same wattage at 240V will be lower resistance, less surge current. The wire rating for insulation may not be the same but Lightning doesn't know the difference in power line voltage and 6kV is what your meter.protects to and many electronics aren't even protected. > 2kV or 3kV whereas incandescent response to a line transient at 3kV 10us is usually a little poof much quieter and less bright than a flash bulb to such a transient. Breakdown voltage rating on insulation ought to be similar for this reason. any wiring arcs from >3kV , ...breakers trip . so OK Dec 28, 2016 at 20:24

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Start with the UL listing (UL is America's CE, our authority which tests and lists fixtures.) Is the fixture listed for 240V? We do have 240V in America, but it's not commonly used for luminaires. 277V is, but not for E26/E27 Edison bases.

Our trade agreements require we honor each other's listings, but that does not mean the fixture is listed for 240V.

It's possible. Insulation is the easy part, and most insulation in America is 250V if not 600V. Higher current adds real cost, but since you are doubling voltage, you are halving current, so that's not a factor here. Besides, most of our stuff comes from China, and much of that is also sold in other 240V countries.

One option is to get a mega-ohmmeter and "meg out" the wires at 400-500V. It's likely to pass. That won't make it legal, but it would speak to safety.

Another option is rewire the lamp with UK-listed or 250V-listed sockets and wires, assuming they are physically-compatible, i.e. the apocryphal '3/8"' threaded rod used to tie most lamps together.

Also, tungsten bulbs? Really, check out LEDs - they have gotten quite good of late (if you disregard cheap junk, which is still junk.)

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