Will my tools work in Canada?

[Marile]

Early next year our overseas shipping container is going on its journey, and I’ve got a (slightly late) question.

I’m bringing quite a bit of power tools—drill, circular saw, screwdrivers, etc. I take good care of them and would really like to keep using them in Canada. Do the chargers usually work with a plug adapter, or do you need something else?

I’ve noticed with a few things I’ve used with an adapter before (like a hair dryer) that they don’t run at full power in Canada. Has anyone had experience with charging European power tool batteries over there, or with using the tools themselves?

Thx
Marile

 

[canuck78]

Early next year our overseas shipping container is going on its journey, and I’ve got a (slightly late) question.

I’m bringing quite a bit of power tools—drill, circular saw, screwdrivers, etc. I take good care of them and would really like to keep using them in Canada. Do the chargers usually work with a plug adapter, or do you need something else?

I’ve noticed with a few things I’ve used with an adapter before (like a hair dryer) that they don’t run at full power in Canada. Has anyone had experience with charging European power tool batteries over there, or with using the tools themselves?

Thx
Marile

Would suggest targeting something like a North American construction workers Reddit thread. Not an expert but don’t think it would be advisable to bring your power tools.

 

[armoured]

Early next year our overseas shipping container is going on its journey, and I’ve got a (slightly late) question.

I’m bringing quite a bit of power tools—drill, circular saw, screwdrivers, etc. I take good care of them and would really like to keep using them in Canada. Do the chargers usually work with a plug adapter, or do you need something else?

I’ve noticed with a few things I’ve used with an adapter before (like a hair dryer) that they don’t run at full power in Canada. Has anyone had experience with charging European power tool batteries over there, or with using the tools themselves?

Thx
Marile

If you want a really simple rule of thumb: tools with batteries probably fine, computer and household electronics too - just check the panels on the devices, powerbricks or chargers to see if they have the 100-240v 'switching' type power supplies. Heavier wired gear (things with larger physical motors) and heating elements - probably not worth it except for smaller travel devices.

In more detail:
-If your power tools run off a battery, you should look on the battery chargers themselves and see if they are marked (typically they are) with something like ~100-240v, 50/60 Hz. Essentially this covers off both the North American standard mains power (120v/60hz) and the European (230v/50Hz). If so, all you would need is a plug adapter (no electronics involved, just a physical adapter). Again, this is quite common for items that are purely electronics, such as battery chargers.

-If your devices work directly off the mains and are purely electronics (televisions and computer things, for example), they will probably show this same 100-240v range.

-European devices connected to mains electricity that drive motors of any size/weight probably WILL NOT work (and will show on their panels something like 220-240v/60Hz) - they rely upon the specific AC used, and I believe in some cases could be dangerous/be ruined. This would usually mean things like heavier drills and saws (if not run off batteries, of course) - and even a lot of lighter ones, if run off mains.

-Things that are mostly heating elements (hair dryers and the like) - some smaller travel ones like light hair dryers or curling irons might be designed for multiple voltages, and yes, they'll run at lower power in North America due to the lower voltage. But I would /strongly/ advise against planning on using any that are not marked for the wide voltage range - it could be dangerous. Most appliances that have heating elements (toasters, crockpots, etc) are not designed to be used at different AC standards.

While you can get step-up / step-down transformers, they're traditionally bulky and very heavy, and the different frequency (Hz) can cause problems for some types of equipment. Mostly not worth it unless it's some very specialized equipment.

 

[Marile]

If you want a really simple rule of thumb: tools with batteries probably fine, computer and household electronics too - just check the panels on the devices, powerbricks or chargers to see if they have the 100-240v 'switching' type power supplies. Heavier wired gear (things with larger physical motors) and heating elements - probably not worth it except for smaller travel devices.

In more detail:
-If your power tools run off a battery, you should look on the battery chargers themselves and see if they are marked (typically they are) with something like ~100-240v, 50/60 Hz. Essentially this covers off both the North American standard mains power (120v/60hz) and the European (230v/50Hz). If so, all you would need is a plug adapter (no electronics involved, just a physical adapter). Again, this is quite common for items that are purely electronics, such as battery chargers.

-If your devices work directly off the mains and are purely electronics (televisions and computer things, for example), they will probably show this same 100-240v range.

-European devices connected to mains electricity that drive motors of any size/weight probably WILL NOT work (and will show on their panels something like 220-240v/60Hz) - they rely upon the specific AC used, and I believe in some cases could be dangerous/be ruined. This would usually mean things like heavier drills and saws (if not run off batteries, of course) - and even a lot of lighter ones, if run off mains.

-Things that are mostly heating elements (hair dryers and the like) - some smaller travel ones like light hair dryers or curling irons might be designed for multiple voltages, and yes, they'll run at lower power in North America due to the lower voltage. But I would /strongly/ advise against planning on using any that are not marked for the wide voltage range - it could be dangerous. Most appliances that have heating elements (toasters, crockpots, etc) are not designed to be used at different AC standards.

While you can get step-up / step-down transformers, they're traditionally bulky and very heavy, and the different frequency (Hz) can cause problems for some types of equipment. Mostly not worth it unless it's some very specialized equipment.

Thank you so much! The information is really helpful for me.

I’ve already done a lot of sorting. Most electronic items aren’t that important to me. What does matter are things like an electric drill, saw, sander/grinder, etc., as well as my computer gear. I’ve brought MacBooks and small charging accessories to Canada before, and also photography equipment with chargers, and all of that worked without any issues.

By now I’ve sorted out everything that plugs directly into the wall and isn’t rated for the 100–240V range, like drill and saw.... I’ll have a few lamps converted, and then that should cover it.

I realize that compared to many of the truly existential issues people are describing here, my question is pretty minor—so thanks again for taking the time to help me with it.

 

[armoured]

Thank you so much! The information is really helpful for me.

I’ve already done a lot of sorting. Most electronic items aren’t that important to me. What does matter are things like an electric drill, saw, sander/grinder, etc., as well as my computer gear. I’ve brought MacBooks and small charging accessories to Canada before, and also photography equipment with chargers, and all of that worked without any issues.

By now I’ve sorted out everything that plugs directly into the wall and isn’t rated for the 100–240V range, like drill and saw.... I’ll have a few lamps converted, and then that should cover it.

I realize that compared to many of the truly existential issues people are describing here, my question is pretty minor—so thanks again for taking the time to help me with it.

No prob, I've been through it a couple times myself, so understand. It is pretty important.

I doubt the drill and saw and the like are worth going to much effort for, but up to you. Transformers might be workable; I doubt the frequency difference would matter much but I don't know.

Lamps I didn't cover. I think the basic answer for them is that it's usually not worth the effort, but for those you really want to - going from EU to Canada is at least okay in that the lower voltage means it's less likely to be dangerous. LED ones may not work properly or flicker - just replace the bulbs. Don't use any higher power incandescents or other less common things like halogen - stick to lower power ones, or use an LED instead - the higher amperage (necessitated by lower voltage) may overheat the wires and housing, i.e. a bit dangerous. It's also possible (and usually not very difficult) to re-wire an old lamp, and that may be the better solution. We brought a few smaller ones (sentimental items) and they've been fine with LEDs bought here.

I can't recall the situation with bulb sizes - some may not be in use/available here or vice versa.

Good luck with your move.