Newer swiss houses have RCDs which should trip if you do the above preventing harm.
U.K. bayonet style lamp fittings make so much sense if there are no RCDs

Where possible I would recommend changing the Plugs over to Swiss types.

This is not always possible though, i.e. some transformers that are moulded into the plug. For this I've used an English extension socket that I've put on a cable with a Swiss plug (i.e. used an old Computer power cable and changed the socket end). If you have lots of such devices then a multi-way English extension can be handy (if they will be located in the same place).

Generally:
Blue is Neutral - N
Live is Brown or Black (maybe red) - L

With AC power it should not matter to most devices if they are wired incorrectly, i.e. lights etc.. but for safety it's best to get it right. Also if a device is 'switched, then only the LIVE cable is normally switched, so if wired wrong it could still be 'live' when you think it is off.

Modern electrical systems, including RCD's and trip switches make having a fuse in each device redundent.

2 prongs are a bit different as this rule doesn't apply since they can be reversed. Most metal base lamps should be either grounded or double insulated to prevent this from becoming an issue, but the older items (over 25 yo) this rule never applied.

You should see a small N or L (L=live, line)

Ok, I have a few questions and would appreciate any clarification:

1) If I bring a small US-plug appliance (hair dryer, hand mixer, etc) it will work with a simple US-Swiss conversion plug -- correct?

2) If I buy a Swiss appliance, like a hair dryer, does it already have the Swiss electrical configuration on it Or are most appliances sold with a Swiss adapter to plug into the wall? (I ask b/c friends in Dubai have all appliances with random electrical configurations with a Dubai adapter as nothing is made in Dubai, it's all shipped in and I wondered if the same siatuation were the case in Switzerland?)

3) If I want to bring a US lamp with me, what would I need to do to make it work here? Plug adapter conversion and different light bulb or something more?

4) Is to worth it to but US to Swiss conversion adapters/cords from East West Intl before I move or are they less expensive in Zurich?
http://www.eastwestintl.com/proddetail.asp?pid=1461
http://www.eastwestintl.com/proddetail.asp?pid=2561

5) Do the pplugs/adapters in the above links serve 2 separate purposes-- what would I need the firs link adapter for that I couldn't use with the 2nd link?

Thanks for your help, I am most appreciative!

No. Their motors and voltage are different. I believe that's been covered either in this thread or another on this subject - but the short answer is no, they won't work with just a plug conversion. You'd need a step transformer (costs far more than a hair dryer or a hand mixer would) and from what I understand will eventually burn out the motor.

It comes with the right plug if you buy it in Switzerland. France and Germany have different plugs, but converters are simple to find (or change the plug as discussed in this thread).

From what I understand, you'll have a hard time finding light bulbs to fit US lamps here. But I'm sure a search or someone else will have more concrete info on this.

I didn't bring any appliances (except for my computer/monitor, which was a simple cord swap once I arrived), so I can't answer that one.

I think they're probably equal.

OK I've not got a question because all you guys have done a brilliant job of answering it already (several times over!).

Just wanted to say

I'm about to install a UK washing machine and am clear on the water and waste thing as there's a dedicated outlet/inlet in the wall. But have a question about electricity. I have a five pin plug on the wall with three round holes as normal and two oblong ones above them (which I understand from the answers on the forum is capable of delivering 380v). However, if I plug a normal swiss 3 pin in there, will that just deliver 220v? I don't want to blow up my apartment building or anything. That would be a bad thing...

I have done a search and spent half an hour looking for the answer, and I'm sure it's on here somewhere, but I haven't found it... sorry.

Hi
I have looked through stuff on EF and elsewhere online but am still not clear on this question. Will Swiss electrical appliances work in the UK with a simple plug adapter? I have a few items that I am trying to unload here in CH but would happily bring with me to the UK if they'll work there. Those items are:
a telephone, an iron, a hair iron and a vacuum. I figure the phone should work fine with a plug adapter but I am worried about the other items.
Thanks y'all.

I'm sitting here in the UK with my computer, monitor, printer, a fan and various other things all hooked into Swiss strips with a plug converter at the socket end...

Your telephone may nor may not work, I'm not sure. I'm guessing you'd need to just buy a UK cord for the actual phone (not a power cord).

Super dee duper!

Oh - and make sure to buy some Swiss to UK plugs in Switzerland. I think I bought one at InterDiscount. The generic Europe to UK plugs don't work for Swiss three pronged plugs, so I have one of my strips hooked up to a German converter and then into a UK converter...

I am going through the exact same conundrum and have completely geeked out on researching everything to do with electrical currents, hertz cycles, why the different systems emerged in the states vs the rest of the world, etc.

i agree with everything evilshell has advised, but just wanted to add that it's pretty easy to check if your laptop or even a major applicance is dual voltage (in which case all you need is a plug converter.) look for the power specifications (usually located near the power cord or on the brick) it should indicate something like : 110v/220-240v and 50/60 hZ

if you want to geek out yourself, here's a good starting point

Most portable equipment tends to be dual voltage, including many chargers for phones etc.. but obviously check first as plugging in a 110V device into 240V will cause permanent damage.

Power frequency also differs. Most countries use 50Hz, but the US to be different uses 60Hz.

Not sure why the US mainly has 110V, maybe they thought it was safer. Often in the UK power tools used on building sites are 110V.

The other thing that is different is video standards. Most of the world uses PAL, the US uses NTSC. Almost all the TV's in Europe will support NTSC playback, also DVD players are often 'codefree' and play DVD's from all regions. I don't know if there is a difference in the HD formats, for once I think they are the same.

Most any remotely modern TV will support both PAL and NTSC, so there's no need to be too concerned about that.

The digital tuner standard is different in the US vs rest of world, however, and TVs generally don't come with both - so if you want to get free-to-air TV or cable here, you'll probably need a local TV. However, if you're planning on getting proper cable it won't be an issue, as the cable box will output HDMI, component or S-Video.

As most people end up getting cable, IME, my advice would be to buy a TV in the US - you'll get *much* more for your dollar even if you have to buy a little 110v-220v transformer to go with it.

Even a UK tuner won't work here in Switzerland. SO if you do import a TV, you would need to use an external box i.e. Cable/satelite/Tuner(a cheap VCR would do)

I would NOT advice this. TV's are big, bulky and fragile, and power hungry (so you need more than a small transformer). When it goes wrong you can't easily ship it back to the US.

Which model or models did you buy? I am having trouble finding a way to address the frequency difference from 60 to 50 hz. I am moving to Zug this winter, from Toledo Ohio. BIG UPGRADE!!