Kitchen Appliances and Transformers

I got the name of Newmarket Transformers (www.newmarket-transformers.co.uk) from someone on this site, and I just wanted to let everyone know that I finally ordered my transformer.  I brought my Cuisinart food processor and my KitchenAid mixer with me.  Because the food processor had a 625W motor, I had to go with the 1000W step-down transformer (meaning it can handle up to 1000W, and converts both the voltage and the frequency).  I got the one with the case. 

The thing is heavy!  It has two plug holes on the front and a handle on the top to make moving it easier.  It works wonderfully, and I've had the mixer and the food processor in use multiple times since it arrived.  I paid £74, including shipping and VAT, and it was delivered quite quickly.  The only problem I had was that paypal wasn't set up to allow me to order to UK addresses, so I had to phone in my credit card info.  And the person who takes credit card info is not in the office very often.  But you can leave your number and they'll call you back. 

I am glad that I brought these appliances with me, and I feel that the cost of shipping them, plus the cost of the transformer was still a lot less than the cost of replacing them.

(meaning it can handle up to 1000W, and converts both the voltage and the frequency)

For the record, a transformer converts the voltage but does not change the frequency.  There are ways to achieve frequency conversion, but they're much more complex than a simple transformer. 

The thing is heavy!  It has two plug holes on the front and a handle on the top to make moving it easier.  It works wonderfully,

I know a lot of people probably want to go for minimum cost, size and weight, but there is simply no substitute for a good quality transformer in these applications.   

It's a step down converter - changing the frequency from 50Hz/60Hz and voltage from 220V to 110V.  Am I just using the wrong language/name to describe it?

I'm guessing you bought the "box cased" version on this page:

http://www.newmarket-transformers.co.uk/step-down-transformers.asp



This is a plain transformer which converts voltage, but not frequency.  A 1000-watt transformer contains a lot of iron and copper wire, hence the weight.   

I think you might be looking at something on the specifications which says "50/60Hz" or "50-60Hz."     That doesn't mean that the unit converts from one frequency to the other, just that it is suitable for use on either frequency.   

Most small motorized kitchen appliances (mixers, blenders, etc.) will work without problems on the "wrong" frequency.  The difference can pose more of a problem for large motors (washing machines, refrigerators, etc.).

I'm so glad I read this! I've been putting off buying my transformer for 2 years and went to do it a week or so ago and the site was down and no one answered the phone! I thought they'd gone out of business!! I'd started sourcing other places but they were all more expensive.

Thanks for posting!

Transformers are great!  We've got 3 of them!!  We could use a fourth, but as they are so heavy, I don't want DH to have to lug another one from work.  Bad enough he's going to have to lug three back when we leave next year.  I love the one in our kitchen and am constantly switching the appliances on it since everything we have is from the states.

Love mine too.  Bought it as soon as I got here for my Kitchen Aid mixer and steamer. 

Thanks Paul - that makes sense. 

.  The only problem I had was that paypal wasn't set up to allow me to order to UK addresses,

Next time ask them for extra fuse , I bought three , I could not find 5 Am or  4 Am fuse.. They should put extra fuse with Transformer

Should we turn the power off when using transfomer like for TV at night  ? or what is the best practice using it ?

kal

I could not find 5 Am or  4 Am fuse..

I'm not sure which fuses are used in the Newmarket units, but I would guess they are most likely the standard glass-bodied types, either 1-1/4 inch or the smaller 20mm types.

Most places catering for radio and electronics should have them as they are used widely in TVs, radios, etc.  For example:

http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/FS-5/245100/5A_3AG_FUSE_.html

Should we turn the power off when using transfomer like for TV at night  ? or what is the best practice using it ?

Switching off the transformer when you're not running anything on it will save a small (very small) amount of power, since no transformer is 100% efficient and some power is always lost in magnetizing the core.  However it shouldn't hurt anything if you leave the unit running all the time -- So long as it has proper ventilation, etc.