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American Phones in the UK


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Old 21-06-2007, 11:56
MDB316
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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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Old 21-06-2007, 18:14
sleepercat
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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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Old 21-06-2007, 19:41
TheFirstCut
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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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Old 22-06-2007, 09:03
chrisjr
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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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Old 06-07-2007, 18:30
AlexD
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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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Old 06-07-2007, 21:00
intheknow
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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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Old 07-07-2007, 21:21
TheFirstCut
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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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Old 09-07-2007, 00:17
AlexD
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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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Old 09-07-2007, 00:51
ntlhellworld
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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.
Humm, only two reasons. The middle one regarding power isnt a problem... if it was designed for 110v only it would have "gone bang" as soon as it was connected (as TheFirstCut said), and certainly wouldent display a charging LED or move and talk !

The OP dident actually say the phone was cordless though, everyone has just assumed that ...

-Chris
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Old 10-07-2007, 00:09
anap
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What do you expect from a Mickey Mouse phone? (Sorry I couldn't resist! )
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Old 12-07-2007, 09:25
Adam D
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The OP dident actually say the phone was cordless though, everyone has just assumed that ...

-Chris
I was going to say the same thing!
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Old 13-07-2007, 20:01
TheFirstCut
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They mention 'green charging light'.

A non-cordless phone wouldn't need charging.
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Old 14-07-2007, 20:45
Adam D
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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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Old 15-07-2007, 16:53
Sunrayrxtech
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Does it have CE written on it?
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Old 16-07-2007, 21:59
prking
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Why would an American phone have the CE mark?
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