Light Bulbs?

[glasgowjohn]

A question for the specialists from an electrical luddite

Would light bulbs sold in the USA work in Argentina

I know that electrical appliances will need a transformer but are light bulbs made in different voltages?

 

[RodalfoWalsh]

No.

Well actually yes but not for very long.


Think of it this way a dimmer switch lowers voltage, and when you drop the voltage the light decreases. You can half the voltage and that will actually increase the life of the bulb while decreasing the light output. Now imagine the dimmer could turn the other way, turning up the voltage, you'll get more light at the cost of longevity (which would drop to almost nothing when going from 120-220).

 

[EJLarson]

The basic problem is this: the filament (incandescent type) of a bulb of certain wattage has a resistance designed for the voltage. So, for example, a 60-watt bulb for 110 volts needs a filament resistance of about 200 ohms.

But using that same bulb with 220V, the filament current will be double (about 1 Amp vs. 0.54 Amp). Result? Overloaded and fried filament.

 

[glasgowjohn]

Thanks for the explanations guys . Much appreciated!

 

[scotttswan]

Although some new LED lightbulbs are made 100-240v.

Check the box.

 

[glasgowjohn]

Although some new LED lightbulbs are made 100-240v.

Check the box.

Cheers Ejcot . the wife spotted some fancy stuff on the Ikea website in USA . Its not cheap so I prefer to get in Europe later in the year.

 

[RodalfoWalsh]

Cheers Ejcot . the wife spotted some fancy stuff on the Ikea website in USA . Its not cheap so I prefer to get in Europe later in the year.

Fancy artifacts are often low voltage not line voltage so it might work. A 12 or 24v lamp works the same both here and in the US.

 

[EJLarson]

Fancy artifacts are often low voltage not line voltage so it might work. A 12 or 24v lamp works the same both here and in the US.

True, but the low voltage lights' voltage converter (the little box with prongs that plugs into the wall outlet) needs to work with 220V. If you get it in Europe that's a certainty, and in the US almost all converters these days are 100-250V.

 

[RodalfoWalsh]

True, but the low voltage lights' voltage converter (the little box with prongs that plugs into the wall outlet) needs to work with 220V. If you get it in Europe that's a certainty, and in the US almost all converters these days are 100-250V.

I was assuming he was talking about light fixtures that would be hardwired which usually have a transformer hidden somewhere which could be swapped out for a 220v one.

It does seem like a lot more effort than it's probably worth.

 

[EJLarson]

I was assuming he was talking about light fixtures that would be hardwired which usually have a transformer hidden somewhere which could be swapped out for a 220v one.

It does seem like a lot more effort than it's probably worth.

You're right. I was assuming bulbs for existing lamps. A new hardwired light system is a different animal - and agree with your last comment.