I recently purchased 2 alabaster lamps in Volterra, and need to find adapters to convert the plug configuration to US outlets. Where can you find them?
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7772 posts
They are all over the internet, including Amazon. It would be cheaper, safer, abd simpler to change the plug to an American one. Be aware that a home-made craft lamp may not be quite as well made or as safe as a UL-approved “US” manufacturer.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
If you are in Italy, then "any good electrical or travel shop". They are very common.
Or, as this is meant to be permanent, just remove the existing plugs (wire cutters) and wire on a US plug.
You will need to change the light bulb(s). I doubt a bulb designed for 230V will work very well on wimpy 110V.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19240 posts
Are the light bulbs in the lamp for 115 Volts, or 230 Volts. If they work in Italy with 230V, they won't work well in the US even if you change plugs.
Wimpy, but safer. We have 230V in the US, but don't use it except for high wattage devices since 120V is safer. Actually, it's difficult to get a 230V schock with US power.
Most US lamps today use our polarized power for safety. If wired correctly, the threaded "can" of a US lamp socket is wired to the neutral and essentially at ground potential, so if you touch the threads on the bulb while screwing it in, you can't get shocked. Not so with European lamps. (In fact, I don't think European lamps screw in.)
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11747 posts
Perhaps remove the 'electrical guts' and replace it with a kit like shown here. Use as much or as little as you need to make it US compatible
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32331 posts
dsh,
In order to use a lamp bought in Europe on a North American electrical system, you'll have to deal with several factors.....
Plug - as you noted, the European two pin plug won't fit North American receptacles. The most direct solution would be to simply remove the Euro Plug and install a N.A. Plug. If you're not comfortable doing that, a local Electrician or lamp store should be able to do that for you.
Wire - the wire gauge of the Euro wire may be smaller than normally used here (#16 AWG?), but especially if you use low current LED bulbs in the lamp it should be adequate.
Lamp socket - a Euro lamp socket may not accept the diameter & thread of North American (Edison) light bulbs. You can probably find a suitable Adaptor on Amazon or you could simply change the lamp socket.
Bulb - you'll have to use a North American bulb that's designed to work on 115 VAC.
Good luck!