If I am to buy a step-down transformer, what do I need to worry about?

[SSSnail]

For stepping from 220V to 110V appliances?

 

[bobdole369]

buy 3x the wattage rating to handle motors.

 

[BrokenVisage]

Step-up Deceptacons?

 

[HAL9000]

Only buy an Autobot.

Edit: Damn someone beat me to it.

 

[edro]

What wattage is your appliance? What type of transformer to you want? Open form or sealed enclosure?
Where will you be mounting it? How will you be routing wiring/conduit?
Will the appliance constantly be running? What type of load is it? Resistive or inductive?

 

[Gillbot]

Why do you need a step down, you don't have available 110?

 

[ThatsABigOne]

This transformer?

 

[Rubycon]

Why do you need a step down, you don't have available 110?

If they're in the USA yes. Just grab L1 or L2 and N and you have 120VAC.

Of course always comply with local codes. Hacking up a socket is never encouraged.

 

[Analog]

Be careful on the VA rating of the transformer. If its continuous duty, make sure it can ventilate for heat dissipation. Make sure that it is rated for the frequency that you use, and that it is not connected as an autotransformer.

May I inquire on the equipment you plan to run?

 

[Gillbot]

If they're in the USA yes. Just grab L1 or L2 and N and you have 120VAC.

Of course always comply with local codes. Hacking up a socket is never encouraged.

That was going to be my next suggestion. I ran 220 to my garage and put in a sub-panel so I could run my compressors and welders. Plus I also have a few branch 110's available.

 

[7window]

one quick ? would a 100 watt step down transformer continous work on a att phone/answering machine?

 

[SSSnail]

Sorry didn't give enough info in OP, it's for my dad traveling out of country. It's for standard 110V traveling stuff; something that he can just toss in his luggage.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

If you're running low-powered stuff, don't sweat it. What will your dad be running though? If it's electronics, the majority of wallwarts are universal or at least switchable.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Why buy, just wind your own!

In all seriousness, yeah just make sure the wattage rating is beyond what he plans to use it for. VA != wattage, either. Look at it like a UPS, a 1000VA UPS is actually 600 watts. So make sure you look at watts and not VA, or at least get like 1/2 more VA than you need watts. So if you need 1000 watts than get 1500va. Really to be extra safe, double it, especially if it's continuous duty.

This wont fit in a luggage though...

If it's just for small things like a razor or something then a lower wattage one should do. You can somewhat overload a transformer, just not for long, so like, you could get away with a 30watt transformer for a 35watt item as long as it's not running for very long. Best to avoid though.

 

[Rubycon]

Sorry didn't give enough info in OP, it's for my dad traveling out of country. It's for standard 110V traveling stuff; something that he can just toss in his luggage.

What you want is a travel converter. Converters actually reduce the voltage. Adapters just allow you to plug your device into the outlet ONLY and perform no voltage conversion. If your appliance does not have a switching mode power supply (i.e. can take 50/60Hz / 110-240VAC) this will not work. Most can handle up to 1.5kW so hair dryers will work. (providing the outlet can supply ~7A)