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American Phones in the UK |
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#1 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 73
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American Phones in the UK
Hi, my girlfriend is a Disney fan and on a recent trip to America bough a Mickey Mouse phone. However when we plug it in over in this country it doesn't work properly.
When you get a phone call its supposed to move it's head and talk The green "charging" light comes on but when it rings it doesn't move or talk. However when you push a demo button it does move and talk. It just doesn't do it when we actually receive a call. Is this because of a difference in electrical current between here and the US? Is there anyway around this such as an adaptor / booster or something along those lines? If so, where can i get one? Any help would be really appreciated. |
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#2 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: London
Posts: 50
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Different standards
Hi,
You can buy an adaptor to convert the US to a UK plug from places like Maplin. I assume it's cordless, in which case: a) what does the mains adaptor say as far as voltage? If it says 110V then you would need to change the mains adaptor for a UK (or European) one. It may be possible to buy one of these from a UK Disney store if they sell the same product or perhaps from Disney store customer services. b) the mains frequency is different in the UK, 50Hz instead of 60Hz, so that would affect anything that charges from the mains. sleepercat |
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#3 |
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Inactive Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Proud European!
Posts: 7,120
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If the mains charger was 110v only then it would probably go bang when using 230V.
All US phones are illegal in the UK, with varying degrees of illegality. The phone will not be CE approved for connection to a European telecom network, so you will be in breach of the Telecommunications Act 1984. This is a comparatively minor issue as unless something really bad happens the worst that could happen if you're caught is BT/Cable withdraw your phone service. Radio compliance is more serious: ... An American cordless phone will not use British radio frequencies and as it won't be type approved to the relevant specification for use in the UK you are using an unlicensed radio transmitter in contravention of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. It is an offence to use, IMPORT, manufacture, sell, advertise OR POSSESS, without authorisation, non-approved cordless telephones. Use of such apparatus, particularly high power models that are available in some other countries, can cause harmful interference to other authorised radio users. It is also an offence to connect them to the public telephone system. Where necessary, the Radiocommunications Agency will prosecute or take other enforcement action under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts to prevent the harmful interference caused by those who use non-approved apparatus or possess such apparatus without authority to do so. Agency officials can seize apparatus found in unlawful use or possession and the courts can order its forfeiture. [from RA 193 (Rev 3) September 1999] which was at http://www.radio.gov.uk/publication/ra_info/ra193.htm The DTI advises there have been five prosecutions, 25 warning letters and three official cautions issued in respect of illegal cordless telephones in the past five years. Fines levied (in UK pounds): - one at 400 - two at 750 - one at 1,225, and - one a whopping 6,500. Also bear in mind that it won't be manufactured to UK or EU safety standards in respect of our higher mains voltage, and if it fails and shoves 230V down the phone line killing a linesman you could be facing a manslaughter charge. |
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#4 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Reading
Posts: 27,886
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But of course the real reason the phone doesn't work is because the US and UK use different line voltages and in particular ringing voltages on their phoner systems. So the phone simply does not know that the line is ringing because it is set to detect a very different voltage level.
And there is absolutely nothing that can be done about that. Unless that is you wish to install your own private exchange in your house and run your own phone system which you may or may not be able to specify runs at US line/ring voltages. But as for connecting it into the BT network I'm afraid you are stuffed. Quite apart from the legal aspect of using non approved equipment on the line. |
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#5 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 1,202
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Bloody Hell!
Don't you think you guys have been a bit harsh to the poor bloke? He only wanted to know if he could make the phone work. You could have just said, "Sorry, No - by the way it is really dangerous and possibly illegal".
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#6 |
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Banned User
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 4,837
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It is a shame, but for the 3 reasons outlined above US phones won't work.
Line voltage from the telephone supplier Power (can get an adaptor, but not worth it because of the line voltage issue) The cordless frequency issue is serious, it could seriously interfere with other UK products and may also be a lot stronger signal, more than you are allowed in the UK. |
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#7 |
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Inactive Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Proud European!
Posts: 7,120
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Quote:
Bloody Hell!
Don't you think you guys have been a bit harsh to the poor bloke? No, not at all. Best to fully explain why. |
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#8 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 1,202
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In my opinion, some of what was said seemed harsh at the time. I was a bit taken aback!
Don't take this post the wrong way, I am not having a go at you.
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#9 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,649
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Quote:
It is a shame, but for the 3 reasons outlined above US phones won't work.
Line voltage from the telephone supplier Power (can get an adaptor, but not worth it because of the line voltage issue) The cordless frequency issue is serious, it could seriously interfere with other UK products and may also be a lot stronger signal, more than you are allowed in the UK. The OP dident actually say the phone was cordless though, everyone has just assumed that ... -Chris |
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#10 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Sunny Bristol
Posts: 3,743
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What do you expect from a Mickey Mouse phone? (Sorry I couldn't resist!
)
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#11 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: UK,
Posts: 4,939
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Quote:
The OP dident actually say the phone was cordless though, everyone has just assumed that ...
-Chris |
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#12 |
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Inactive Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Proud European!
Posts: 7,120
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They mention 'green charging light'.
A non-cordless phone wouldn't need charging. |
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#13 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: UK,
Posts: 4,939
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Maybe it wasnt the Charging light?
But the mains light, Lighting up when connected to the mains for the phone to 'move' |
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#14 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 554
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Does it have CE written on it?
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#15 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Weston-super-Mare
Posts: 9,167
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Why would an American phone have the CE mark?
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