Can i convert 220v washer for usa use?

if i bring my 220/240v washer and drier home from germany, what do i have to do to run them in the usa?Can i convert 220v washer for usa use?
This is a simple solution, but requires knowledge and


skill in Electrical Fixtures and Electricity. First off; the


Power there in Europe and the united kingdom, runs at


50 Cycles per second, NOT 60! This can be confusing,


but not that big a deal. The first thing you should do is


take a look at the back of the Unit, and see if there is


a diagram of how you should go about hooking the unit


up. In Germany, one side of the outlet is 200 Volts A.C,


and the other side is the Neutral, or return. The round


pin is, of course, ground. When wiring up anything that


requires a fair amount of power to operate, you must, as


always, observe all safety procedures, and local codes.


As in a standard hook up with a Domestic Stove or Dryer,


This will be performed in the same manner, with a very


important exception, if required. On the back of the Imported


unit, if there is a diagram on how to convert the unit for


Domestic use, you are all set. Contacting the Manufacturer


would be a good idea, if the back plate is of no help, and


ask them if this modification can be done to insure safe


operation. Since our Power is a 'double sided' 110 to 120


Volts A.C, with the two together, you get your 220 to 240


Volts A.C, depending on your location... it will vary a few


volts, not an issue. To picture this, looking at a 220/240


Domestic Stove, Welder, or Clothes Dryer, One side is


120 Volts, the other side is 120 Volts, 180 degrees out of


phase with the first (left) side. The two, measured across,


will add to 240 Volts A.C. Note the rating of the Unit in


question: the Back Plate should tell you the Power in Watts,


the Voltage required, and the Amps, or amount of power it


requires to operate. Note this, and choose the appropriate


rating of Circuit Breaker to be installed in your Load Center.


You might want to contact a qualified Electrician, or a friend


who works on this kind of electrical equipment 4 a living, if


you feel you cannot handle the task at hand. Selection of a


Circuit Breaker is pretty easy. If the appliance draws a max.


of, say 12.8 Amps, at motor start, Then a 15 or a 20 Amp.


Double Pole Breaker would be a good choice. Select the wire


with a gage that will handle this power safely, without incident.


In this case, I would use #10 AWG wire, with a good insulation


jacket. Now, you should choose a 240 Volt Outlet, Box, and


the right cover, and depending on the distance from the Load


Center to the Washer you wish to install, you can calculate


the length of conduit and wire required to complete the job.


Now, the Imported unit: One terminal, or 'side' of th unit's


connection is 200 Volts; the other side is Neutral, or maybe


even ground. This is what you need to do: Make sure one


side of the unit is not connected to the Enclosure. If it is, lift


off this wire, mark it 'Ground Only', and connect it to the


Green wire of the 'Pig Tail' that will plug into the Receptacle


you have chosen for this installation. Now you should be able


to connect your Hot wires remaining. With the guidelines


of the Manufacturer, you should be able to do this without


a problem. If you already have a Electric Dryer, you could


save some time and money, and add an additional outlet


in parallel with the Dryer's Outlet, without worrying about


the Circuit Breaker in the Load Center. As always, turn off


all power (the breaker) going to this outlet. You should have


no problems, at this point. Feel free 2 e-me! I hope this was


of some help 2 U!