Topic

Name

Date

Question/Answer

Using U.K. electrical appliances in

Kefalonia

Lynda

&

 Keith

05/09/04

As we are moving to Kefalonia in January 2005, could someone please tell us what, if any, electrical equipment we can bring and use with adaptors ? such as kitchen equipment, toaster, iron, food-mixer etc. and bigger items like washing machines and even power tools. Finally, lawn mower and garden tools and not forgetting televisions and music centres.

Kefalonian Homes

05/09/04

With one or  two exceptions you can use all your present

U.K. electrical items without modification. The Greek ‘National Grid’ supplies 230 volts and so there is no

problem using U.K. appliances.

However—it is important to note that televisions and video recorders in the U.K. are incompatible with Greek T.V. transmissions.  If you want to watch Greek television,

terrestrial or satellite, then you will need to buy a Euro

N.T.S.C. television here.  Similarly, if you wish to record via video then you will also need to buy a VCR here.

Don’t ditch your U.K. t.v. or VCR, however, as they can be used as ‘standalone’ units for playback of your English pre-recorded tapes and also for DVD players.

A few practical tips:-

Avoid buying those cheap ‘tourist’ multi-adaptors.  They are not suitable for continuous high loads.  It is far better and safer to replace all U.K. plugs with their Greek

counterparts once you arrive here.

Cell phone chargers and similar items with an integral

U.K. 3-pin square plug can be used with an adaptor as they 

draw little current.

Greek light sockets are moulded marginally larger than

U.K. fittings. (One of the E.U’s imponderables !)  If you have a favourite ring-fitted lamp-shade it is better, before you leave the U.K., to buy a U.K. light socket to replace your Greek socket.

If you have a p.c. with a modem you will need a new connecting phone cable.  B.T. plugs will not fit the Greek sockets.  A new cable with fittings will cost a couple of Euros.