Old foreign toaster voltage?

https://imgur.com/a/fj7ZI

I've got an antique toaster from Prague that I would like to use in the US, and I'm concerned about the voltage. It's labeled 220V on the side as expected, but the box actually has a stamp that says "!120V" on it (I read once that apparently around the time this toaster was made, there were some 120V outlets there, but I can't find that anymore).

So, assuming it might be wired for 120V, how would I go about checking that?

And if it's not, what would happen if I plugged it in and turned it on?

Posted Oct 14, 2017, 11:55 PM UTC

14
Jeff_72•

Step 1.... Check continuity.

Step 2.... Check resistance.

Step 3.... Ohms law

Anyways good luck.

6
sparky1976•

FYI 220 v in Europe is single pole 220 v meaning 1 220 v leg and a neutral. Not like 220 v here which is called double pole meaning 2. 220v legs.Be aware of this

2
shartmonger•

Try running it on 120v, worst case it pops a fuse. Keep in mind old things like that tend to shock people from time to time...

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
rlaagerTechnician•

If it is meant for 240 and you put it on 120, the amps will go down (by half) and it will output 1/4 the watts. The resistance is fixed.

2