120 volt to 240 volt

[violinbroker]

Just moved from Texas to Barcelona.  Is there a way to rewire the 120 volt motor to 240?

Thanks,
Dennis

[Jeff Farris]

No, there's not, but replacing the motor is pretty straightforward.

[Herman Trivilino]

So, the machines made for the North American market have a different motor?

[Ken S]

Interesting question.  The attached is from wikipedia ("European electrical frequency"):

"Frequency Hz (Hertz)

Frequency is generally not a problem--most travel items will work on either 50 or 60 Hz. If all the electrical appliance does is produce heat or light (except fluorescent lighting), then the frequency is unlikely to matter. Frequency is most likely to affect clocks and devices with motors. They may run faster or slower than they should and may be damaged in the long run as a result."

One of the things North American engineers got right early on  was standardizing electrical power at 60 cycles per second (Hertz).  Other countries, including Great Britain, were slower to adapt a standard.  As a result, moving from one city to another meant changing motors.  At least with the Tormek, one can change the motor instead of having to replace the whole machine.

Ken

[Ken S]

I should add that the European standard is 50 Hz.  I don't know that one standard is "better" than the other.  Both work and are not compatible.

Ken

[Ken S]

PS:

I lived in Barcelona for several months in the late 1960s as a student.  I enjoyed it very much, as I trust you will. 

Be sure to learn some conversational Catalan.  When I was there, the Franco government required Castilian (what we call Spanish) to be taught in the schools. The people of the region are proud of their Catalan heritage; basic greetings in their language may e good icebreakers.

Best of luck.

Ken

[Jeff Farris]

So, the machines made for the North American market have a different motor?

Yes. Most European countries have 240VAC 50Hz power as the standard at any wall socket. The U.S standard 120VAC 60Hz is "safer" but less efficient.