Anyone know ANYTHING about electronics?

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Hi all
I have a machine that seems to be tripping out and burning the fuse when I turn it on and press a certain button and I’m unsure why?

I’m not sure what I can do so any suggestions please?

I’m in the UK
Thank you in advance x

That's a blown fuse, and a power socket for what looks like a US power supply.

Has that machine ever worked in the UK, or is this the first time you are trying it ?

If you are trying to run a US machine in the UK without modification it will trip out. Don't put a bigger fuse in unless you like firemen.

Are you using an isolating transformer between that and the mains? If not, you're sticking 240 volts into a 110 volt device.

@DGRossetti THANK YOU SO MUCH for answering. I’ve been trying to figure out what the issue is.

The machine has never worked. I switch it on and it turns on but the second I press a button to activate it it blows.

Is there anything I’m able to do please as it was expensive and I can’t return it

@evilkitten

Thank you so much for responding !
Lol I have no idea what a transporter is unfortunately.

I simply plug in and switch on and when I press a button to activate it blows

@evilkitten

If you mean am I using an extension cord- yes I did. But even when I plug it in he main plug it still blows

UK mains is 240V - think high pressure hose. US is 110V - think garden hose. Now try imagining putting the high pressure water through the garden hose - it would probably burst. That is what is happening to your fuse. You need a device to transform the electricity supply from the high pressure UK to low pressure US to avoid the fuse bursting. The is not an extension cable.

@seeline

Thank for responding. I get that. What can I use to fix it though ? What’s a transformer ?

You need something like this

transformer

I am not recommending this specific one. You can also get them from Argos, Maplin, etc etc

@khione

Thank you for responding!

So I would need something like this - the machine I have has a UK plug. Does that matter ?

It may not be as simple as just getting a transformer. The plate in the photo clearly states 60Hz as the mains frequency, whereas the UK is 50Hz.

If the machine uses the mains frequency for some reason, it might still not work.

(Although off the top of my head I can't think of anything apart from a mains clock ...).

So I would need something like this - the machine I have has a UK plug. Does that matter ?

Are you saying the machine you posted a picture of came with a UK plug (or "caltrop" as some Americans call them ) ? If so, my dodginess radar has just pinged.

Maybe if you could tell us what the machine is, some could help more ?

Electricity - especially mains electricity - should be treated with a modicum of respect.

What is the machine? If the cord you're using has a UK plug, then it's not one that should have been supplied with it.

With the transformer, you will need to ensure that it's sufficiently beefy.

My strong recommendation is that you return this machine to wherever it came from, and get a UK version instead.

What is the machine? If the cord you're using has a UK plug, then it's not one that should have been supplied with it.

which sounds all sorts of alarm bells.

My strong recommendation is that you return this machine to wherever it came from, and get a UK version instead.

make that two

@DGRossetti @evilkitten

Yes the machine has a Uk 3 pin plug.

I have been in contact with the manufacturers and they were helpful to some extent as they helped me change the fuse. However when I changed the fuse to one identical that it had before. It blew again.

I’ve uploaded a picture.

When I plug in and turn on it’s fine and all the lights turn on. When I adjust the timer it works. When I press DERMABRASION it blows and turns off. The manufacturer said something about the dermabrasion using 220v and so it blows. But I keep being told the V in the UK is 220 so again I’m so confused ?

Thank you guys. I really appreciate the help as I feel really upset and heartbroken about this. I planned on using this machine for work and myself however now it seems it’s £270 down the drain

@DGRossetti I’m unable to return it unfortunately which is the worst thing.

Where did you buy it? If it's new, it's not fit for purpose so you should be able to get a refund.

At least we can see the beast.

First off, stop plugging it in. Please. Stay safe. Especially as it's intended for use on people !

All may not be lost, now we know what it does - US to UK isn't unheard of and there are adapters around, now we know what we need to adapt to.

If that was sold for retail for use in the UK without any warning or instructions, then I'd be inclined to waste Trading Standards time over it.

@goingoverground

I bought the machine from a reputable seller on amazon about a year or so ago. I have been in contact with them when I noticed the machine was faulty and they recommended I get an electrician. I spoke to many electricians who recommended I speak to the manufacturer as it seems it may be a specialist machine.

When I spoke to the manufacturer they did seem to talk me through what I can do to fix it and like I said they told me to replace the fuse. So I did. With one identical to the one that was blown (the machine came with two - one spare) and again when I replaced the fuse I did the same thing again. Turn on and lights are on. Adjust timer and lights are on. Press dermabrasion and it blew

@DGRossetti

Thank you. So do you think that a transformer may fix this or really have I been scammed and the machine will never work in the UK ?

Now when I speak to the manufacturer their attitude is it’s not their fault - it was the seller who sold to me. Which to some extent I get.

However the seller didn’t make the machine. They just bought wholesale and resold it to me. It was brand new in the original packaging and everything. So of course when I have asked the seller for help they are virtually clueless and have told me to contact the makers of the machine or an electrician.

A quick google (and I awarded myself 10 points as the first hit was eBay ) suggests it's Chinese made (colour me surprised) for the US market.

At a guess something like:

www.amazon.co.uk/Adaptor-Chinese-Convertor-Japanese-Adapter-Black/dp/B00D77POPO?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

might do the trick. However notice the mains connector they are plugging into the adapter.

If you do want to try it with that adapter, I would throw the original lead away and get a proper US mains lead that would fit that adapter. At least that way you won't be plugging the thing into the UK mains all the time.

Also make sure you replace the fuse with the correct size and rating one.

It's a bit more complicated as you bought the goods a year ago but if you can prove that the goods were "faulty" when you bought them, you have 6 years to claim. If the machine is 100V and was being sold for use in the UK without a transformer, it is dangerous and unusable, not just faulty.

www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/what-do-i-do-if-i-have-a-faulty-product

Thank you. So do you think that a transformer may fix this or really have I been scammed and the machine will never work in the UK ?

We are playing with electricity here. Moreover we are doing it with a device that is intended to be pointed at people. My immediate advice would be to not try and use it. We (well you) have already found one quite serious fault with the thing. Which makes me wonder how many more there are to find along the way.

However, if it was me in that situation, I'd definitely try an adapter (having changed the lead too). But that's me.

The bottom line is if that device was sold for use in the UK, then the seller hasn't been honest. (If they had supplied it with the correct lead and an adapter, the claim would make sense).

Sorry if it's bad tidings.

Personally, I have very little time to waste with foreign [Chinese] suppliers. Even if you can communicate, a lot struggle to understand that the UK isn't some small state in the US (yes really). With different mains, spellings, and goodness knows what. I guess we'd better get used to it though. China being our new besties and all.

@DGRossetti

Thank you. I will see if I can get something like that. At this point I will do anything. I just need the machine to work 😓

@goingoverground

Thank you. I did try - I went on amazon and filed a complaint and they said they basically couldn’t do anything and wouldn’t refund me. It’s 💩 honestly

@DGRossetti Thank you. I will definately try the adapter.

I don’t usually buy foreign items however it seemed great. And I worked somewhere in the past which had a machine that was identical so i was sure it would work. Then again I didn’t see the mains and if it had an adapter or anything