I have imported a number of lights from the US, it is just a matter of changing the plug from an American to your local one. The voltage is irrelevant. Never had a problem

I am sending over a fellow Australian who might be able to give you some insight - just in case... but cannot imagine why there is a problem... (roo)

Thx Roo, Australian lexicon sparky = electrician?

Yep

Thanks olldroo. I will definitely get onto it. I figured it needed to be done, and I certainly don't want to risk my home insurance. Can I ask, does this also apply to fittings from the UK, even though they share the same voltage as we do? Thanks.

Not sure vissi, I think the main problem is our standards are pretty high here, especially with insulation and earthing - probably why everything costs so much too - and that seems to be the hurdle and of course insurance companies will use any excuse they can to get out of parting with money. Again - talk to a sparky - at least if he does it wrong and anything happens you have a comeback.

btw - I like that pendant.

I appreciate all of your help olldroo. I'll do some ringing around and see what I can find.

I will be interested to know out of curiosity - probably others will be too now we have so much more access to things with the internet. Good luck.

This is very helpful advice - thank you all! The great lighting available in USA is far cheaper than in Aust, which makes the cost of rewiring worth it. Much appreciated.

matchka - it is the wider variety of choice too, and that makes a huge difference. Visionaire didn't come back unfortunately on whether it was worth the cost. Can't believe this thread is one year old.

Hi Antoinette. Keeping busy??

I have dealt with the opposite problem, shipping from Morocco to US (220 to 110V). Which is safe. But the other way around can produce more power for the same light bulb (and hence more heat). I would have your electrician check the wiring according to the light bulb you will be using, or just have it rewired all together...

Wow this is an old thread. Funnily enough I live in the states now for work so I can actually buy and use their products! (yay! well I am currently renting so can't go too crazy). I did find out that the fixtures do need to be rewired for use in Australia if you want everything in your home to comply with Australian standards, though changing the bulbs to Australian bulbs would most likely still be fine, you won't be covered in the unlikely event something does happen.

Thanks for the information visionaire, did you happen to find out anything as far as cost of conversion goes? What a co-incidence you are now in the US, enjoy your time there.

I know, talk about co-incidence. I always knew there was a possibility I would end up here and just so happened I did. But of an adjustment compared to Aus but I lived in England when I was young so I'm used to a big move such as this. Back to the topic at hand I was actually surprised at how inexpensive it was to require a light like the one I originally posted. An electrician I had dealt with in the past said he could do it for $40 and some other people I spoke to quoted similar numbers up to about $80 at the most. Might note that I only contacted people I know through friends and who were recommended etc so it may be a different story with other electricians. I definitely plan on getting some lights done in this way when I move back home. The lighting products here in San Diego are really something else. Check out Black Whale Lighting for an idea. Eat your heart out Beacon.

Wow, I would need a week in Black Whale, talk about variety. Definitely Beacon could do with a good shove, been in there many times and so far have managed to buy a ceiling fan.

hi roo - sent u an email....

Hi, Visionaire1, I'm looking at ordering some 9 bulb chandeliers that can be wired to either UK or US standards but not AU. Interested in whether you can refer me to any contacts that can do the re-wiring to Aus standards based in Melb? (Your sparkies sounded pretty reasonably priced). Thanks!

Hi, Visionaire1, I'm looking at ordering some 9 bulb chandeliers that can be wired to either UK or US standards but not AU. Interested in whether you can refer me to any contacts that can do the re-wiring to Aus standards based in Melb? (Your sparkies sounded pretty reasonably priced). Thanks!

Hmm sorry about the 4 posts - not sure why that happened...

Hi alyssacaplan. Unfortunately I can't help you with any Melbourne based sparkies as the ones I contacted were in Adelaide. Your best bet is to steer clear of the electrical companies and see if you can find someone a little older who is self employed. Chances are they will be much more reasonably priced. Ask your friends and family if they know any good electricians, especially people they trust and have used many times. Shop around and see what you come up with :)

Lived in the USA and on return to OZ had many lamps and light fittings upgraded to 240w. Sparky's often cant be bothered with such work but if you find one of those shop front electrical stores as I did in Ballarat Victoria, they are happy to do the fiddly work. They love all the different pieces I bring in. It is worth it. If you're buying online you have to consider the currency exchange, shipping and sparky costs. Around $40-$60 depending on difficulty of job. Sometimes I am lucky, particularly with lamps, they only need new 3 prong adaptors fitted.

Hie donnaspiller, could you please give me the name of the store in Ballarat Victoria. Thanks :)

Me too!

I know in Brisbane I used a chandelier restorer to rewire my lights. Not expensive and he was experienced at it. They're used to restoring lighting from abroad and are safe.

Hello Gillian I am in the Brisbane area, could you tell me the name of the chandelier restorer that you used? I want to install some American lighting in my new house.

1. Chandelier Restorations
2. Lighting Store
3. 275 Nudgee Rd, Hendra QLD 4101
4. (07) 3268 7725

There re is a lady at Annerley also but I can't remember her details off the top of my head. I will post when I remember.

I have this fixture and get complements all the time ;)

Anyone know of someone reasonable to do this in London?

hello ... i.am wondering if you ended up getting your pendant and were u.able to get it rewired? ?? thank you.

• 
  
  Hi Lisa

I didn't go with buying my lamps from the U.S. even though they were stunning! I bought lamps from Bunnings and discarded the shades as I found some shades I liked in Ballarat. The exchange rate is very low at the moment, so will cost a packet to purchase from the US. A certified electrician will re-wire to Australian Standards. Even though some people mention that they are able to use lighting from the US successfully here in Australia - be aware if anything should go wrong, insurance may not cover.

Lyn

Yes thanks i understand. Everything here is so boring lol - much nicer stuff in USA .

i have an idea that might help? i have done something with electric in US. The costs of adding a new box and new outlets was horrible for my 100+ year old house. this old house gave me so good ideas. Anyway, you don't need all of it but. rewiring a light is only a matter of running the appropriate wire through the channel the old one went through. These wires can be gotten real cheap at ikea, because they have make your own light fixture. Also, in US at least, you can buy them at all big box hardware stores - and many small. Since you have insurance requirements, go to a local semiretired electrician, he can run it or he might even let you - less work for him, if it breaks you have to buy new. He will then approve, he will probably charge little, no work and hardly anytime, and yeah, you have a new light!

sounds good. i actually work for an electrical engineer so he may be able to help me out! thanks

Hello! Does anyone have a contact for a licensed electrician who could do rewiring of US lamps / pendants in the Sydney area? Thank you

aqua241, Tom at Transco is great. We use him a lot to rewire lighting

Thanks

I'm hoping people are still reading this... I bought a product from eBay, a 3m x 3m 300 LED Xmas String (Curtain Style) Lights for a party. I unfortunately didn't even pay attention to the rest of the description, and just realised they were 110v. What do I need to do so I can use them? Would getting a plug converter like the ones you buy when travelling overseas be enough? Thank you in advance for any advice!

I don't think your house insurance will cover a fitting being rewired. I would either call your insurer or check your policy very carefully. ☺

Anyone know of an electrician on the Gold Coast to rewire from us to Aust standards??

Hi - I am in Adelaide and faced with the same dilemma- do you still have the contact persons? Many thanks

Hi is anyone able to provide any contacts in Melbourne for the same issue please? US to AUS standards? I'm so desperate

Hi all, this is an old thread, but I have the same question. im in Melbourne and would like to buy a light from the US. Anyone know someone who can rewire or do whats required? Thanks in advance.

Guys, just check with your local sparkies.

Hi, I was under the impression that anything electrical from usa that isn't dual voltage ie. is 110 volts only, will need a step-down converter, as well as the correct ac adaptor, to use in Australia. I'm from Oz and am moving back home after being here in the states for 5 years. I'm currently looking at what I can/want to take back. I also have ceiling and wall lights still in the box. I was thinking of taking, but by what I've read in the forum it looks like it might not be worth it. But for my lamps and appliances -I'm pretty sure I will need converters and wall plugs. If only the ac plug was altered (by a sparky) to fit into the Oz wall outlet, wouldn't the voltage still be wrong and potentially dangerous? I'm referring to donnaspiller's comment about her sparky only changing the prongs in the lamps. All my lamps here are 110 volts. So wouldn't they also need to be upgraded to 240 volts or else need to be used with a converter. Thanks.

Justa -I've been using Canadian lamps in my Australian house for years. Mine are all rated 110-240 v 50-60 hz, so all I needed to do was change the plug.

Thanks jmm, that's good to know. Out of everything I've checked so far, all my stuff is rated 110 volts only. Not dual, like yours. I wonder if that's because my stuff is older?

@visionaire1 this post has been so helpful to read. Do you have any recommendations of shipping these lights to Australia, best online shops you found ??? If you are back in Australia how did you and who did you use to get your furniture back. I want to get a heap of lights over for a new house build. I too love America and travel there every couple of years ( had to cancel our trip last year due to covid :(. ) but still couldn't bring them back as oversize luggage costs a fortune. I thought you might have some tips since living over there for awhile how to bring stuff back here ?? Happy Easter !