Electricity

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Electricity

The voltage in Spain is 220v.

If you come from the U.S. you can buy transformers that enable your 110v appliances to work. Due to the difference in U.S. supply there may be some problems with your T.V. or P.C. unfortunately.

U.K. appliances and computers seem to work fine in the main although you will find that light fittings are different. The bulbs are the continental screw fitting and if you have brought U.K. lamps and ceiling fittings it is difficult if not impossible to convert them.

For DIY people you won't find ceiling roses here, bring them from the UK or buy a complete light fitting.

Combined ceiling fans and lights are popular and can see you through a hot August without air-conditioning whilst giving a nice effect.

Problems

The electricity supply is not as robust as the UK and is prone to going off. This is often rectified within an hour or so but it's worth putting your computer on automatic save mode.

The voltage is not always maintained at 220v and can go much lower. The effect of this is that some appliances try to compensate by drawing more current and consequently trip the fuse box. You could therefore spend time and money on trying to diagnose a household fault that actually doesn't exist!

DIY ers beware!! Spanish electricians often switch the neutral, not the live. The wires at the ceiling rose therefore are likely to be live even with the switch turned off!!

On new houses expect bare wires from the ceiling and outside where the external lights go. When it rains this can also trip the fuse box. The author spent some hours tracking this one down!

Electricity

The voltage in Spain is 220v.

If you come from the U.S. you can buy transformers that enable your 110v appliances to work. Due to the difference in U.S. supply there may be some problems with your T.V. or P.C. unfortunately.

U.K. appliances and computers seem to work fine in the main although you will find that light fittings are different. The bulbs are the continental screw fitting and if you have brought U.K. lamps and ceiling fittings it is difficult if not impossible to convert them.

For DIY people you won't find ceiling roses here, bring them from the UK or buy a complete light fitting.

Combined ceiling fans and lights are popular and can see you through a hot August without air-conditioning whilst giving a nice effect.

Problems

The electricity supply is not as robust as the UK and is prone to going off. This is often rectified within an hour or so but it's worth putting your computer on automatic save mode.

The voltage is not always maintained at 220v and can go much lower. The effect of this is that some appliances try to compensate by drawing more current and consequently trip the fuse box. You could therefore spend time and money on trying to diagnose a household fault that actually doesn't exist!

DIY ers beware!! Spanish electricians often switch the neutral, not the live. The wires at the ceiling rose therefore are likely to be live even with the switch turned off!!

On new houses expect bare wires from the ceiling and outside where the external lights go. When it rains this can also trip the fuse box. The author spent some hours tracking this one down!

Tip

Get a UK electrician from this site!