| Author | Message | ||
     Cataract2 |
Ok, this may seem off, but I can't find an answer. My wife and I just got stationed here in Germany. We have a lamp that uses a 3 way bulb that we bought in the states. We're wondering if you can use such a lamp here in Germany with it being 220v. | ||
| Maxbuell |
I would not think so. The lamp is most likely 110v should be stamped on the bulb some place. 220v will burn it out real quick. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Well, I can replace the bulb. It's your standard living room lamp. Just the socket is for a 3 way bulb. I just want to know if I can use a bulb designed for 220v 3 way operation with this lamp or if the socket of the lamp can only work with 110v. | ||
| Iamike |
It looks like you are confusing us a little. Is the bulb a 220v or is the fixture 220v. If the bulb is 220v and you run it at 120v it will be dim. If the bulb is 120v and you try to run it at 220v it will be very dim after a very quick flash as it burns out. I am pretty sure that the two types (3-way vs 2-way) are interchangeable without a problem. I know when I have a 2-way bulb in a 3-way fixture I just have to turn the switch twice each time I turn it on or off. You may want to hang on to that bulb since it will be worth a lot of money as they outlaw incandescent bulbs in the future. | ||
| Britchri10 |
If the lamp is 110V please don't use it in a 220V socket. You can buy an adapter to convert 110V - 220V for europe. If bulb & lamp are compatible @ 110V in the USofA an adapter will allow the lamp to operate in Deutschland. Good luck! | ||
| Ratbuell |
It's more than just the bulb, it's the wiring. Either go to a german home depot and get materials to rewire it for 220v (my guess is 220 uses a MUCH heavier gauge wire), or just buy a domestic 220v lamp. No matter how nice the lamp is, it's not worth risking electrical fire. | ||
| Reepicheep |
The wire and switch are often rated for 220 regardless, see if you can find some stampings somewhere on the light and switch. As Rat said, if you have any doubt, it ain't worth burning the place down. I watched a 3 way lamp short out once, and it was more than enough to start a fire. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
It's like my friend says about plugging 110 power tools into a 220 socket...... "it'll run like hell, for a little while." |
