I am changing a kitchen and need to replace all the appliances. oven, microwave, hob, fridge, dishwasher etc. The building was built in 1987 and the appliances might be that old.
I want to buy high end so likely Miele or Gaggenau appliances, outside Switzerland to save money. I am aware I will pay approx 8% bringing them in. I spend a few months in the UK every year. I am open to buying on ebay UK, Germany or a retailer etc.
I am aware here are technical electrical differences between countries
When I am next back in Switzerland I will check the models of all the current appliances and find out their voltages. Some such as he oven are likely to be 400v which is 3 phase and some might be 230v which is one phase. Some might be dual voltage and accept either supply.
Am I right in thinking if they are 230v I can simply buy a 220 to 240v appliance in UK or Germany (or anywhere else). If they are 400v I simply have to replace them with a 380-400v appliance? These won't be available in UK, but can find in Germany.
Here is an example of a dual voltage Miele oven on ebay.de
Many thanks for reading. Very much appreciate any answers that highlight the danger of my idea.
The most obvious issue is likely to be that the manufacturers warranty differs depending on where you ourchase the appliances. The voltages may be the same but the plugs differ, thus point of contact with electricity. This would be enough for a manufacturer to say the appliance is not covered by warranty.
We have imported appliances from UK to CH and Norway, and back again, more than once and never had problems that would have come under warranty, but with the cost of the brands you mention I would want to know exactly what would happen if a fault occurred.
No. Most 3-phase kitchen appliance sockets here will also allow you to plug in a standard 3-pin plug to give a single-phase 220v supply. Pictures 1 and 4
here show the layout. So if it's like that then just bring on the appliance of your choice, fit appropriate plug (i.e. the normal 3-pin one like the round pins only in picture 4, for a 220v appliance) plug in and go.
I'm not concerned about warranties, though I would like them to work. The savings are large enough for me to to take the risk if they were to fail. Many of these appliances are hard wired such as oven, microwave, hob so I presume lack of plug is not an issue.
I'm more concerned about getting the technical details right. Is my understanding of the technical situation correct?
I don't want to source goods that are inappropriate or don't work....
Before you say "buy outside of CH to save money", have you looked at http://www.toppreise.ch/index.php to get the "real" CH prices? The on-line retailers are easily 40-50% off the list price of "official" CH distributors. Fust and others typically only give 25%.
Keep in mind with the on-line retailers that they deliver to the door (you need to get it into the chalet/apt. You will also need to look after the installation.
Buying in CH then offers you a service guarantee (typically 24 mo.) vs the cost of repair (obscenely expensive) if you have a problem out of guarantee (imported, imported used). You might want to consider this in your calculations.
Then if you are buying in the EU, you will need to spec the kitchen for 60cm or if CH for 55cm (most but not all build in items).
The cook top and the oven will use all three phases in CH. Keep this in mind. The washer/dryer will also normally use the three phases.
For some bizarre reason they don't include dishwashers, which was the most recent appliance we bought in France and installed in our Swiss flat, but the washing machine prices are certainly very much more expensive than in France for the same model. e.g. http://www.priceminister.com/offer/b...rt=0&filter=10 at 400eu compared with http://www.toppreise.ch/prod_166120.html for 1765chf
I think you are "somewhat" comparing apples and oranges
First of all, this specific model is not standard in CH. Hence only one retailer offering it (probably imported). Secondly, most people in CH do not use a combo product (washer/dryer) so more expensive than what most people use here. If the product is not in the norms in CH, it will definitely more expensive.
All that to say, the OP needs to decide on his specific needs and shop in CH (but my point being not in a store - but on TP) as well as in the EU (what he has done so far.
I will take a look at that site. I have a container coming from the UK so travel not a huge issue. I will also be fitting the appliances in 60cm cabinets.
Anyone got any comments on my technical voltage thoughts?
Well you may well be right - I quite literally picked one product at random from the site you linked to. But in our recent experience we've certainly found the equivalent items cheaper in France, even at our local retailer, than we could have found in CH.
Err, yes, didn't you read my post? Even if you don't have that type of socket you can buy adaptor plugs - the whole point about 3-phase 400v is that it has 3 single-phase 220v supplies coming to it, so if you can physically connect to just one of them.
Thanks for that. I thus presume if I am replacing a 400v appliance I can replace it with a 400v or 220v from Swiss or say Germany or even a 240v appliance from UK.
If replacing a 220v appliance and unsure if there is a 3 phase connection I can replace it with 220v from Swiss or say Germany or a 240v from UK.
Heat make sense? Sound like my options are fairly wide and I am unlikely to make a technical error buying a machine hat won't work. Just have to be wary of buying a 400v appliance if no 3 phase.
Thank you Oliver for your welcome. I am up to scratch on customs protocols I think. Could I delve into your comment on amps however?
I understand you are saying 16 amps is standard in Germany. I think you are suggesting most Swiss supplies have a 10 amp limit.
If I look at this Miele oven from Miele.de it says
Gesamtanschlusswert in kW
3,5
Spannung in V
230
Absicherung in A
16
Phasenanzahl
1
My German isn't great, but I think it says 230v, 16a in one phase.
Does that mean I would need to get the electrician to install a 16a breaker at the fuse box, run a new wire from fuse box to socket for this to work ok?
I would be cautious about the electrical connections. The problem isn't the voltage but the current supply. Heavy duty appliances (cookers, ovens, washing machines, dishwashers) are generally designed to be connected to a 3-phase supply here in Switzerland, which will supply 3 x 10A to the appliance. Single phase outlets (the normal ones you find here) are limited to 10 A only. Whilst most heavy duty appliances can be connected to a single phase supply, they will mostly require more than 10 A (13 A in the UK, 16 A in Germany). 3-phase supplies are unusual outside Switzerland.
Before you buy a heavy duty appliance, make sure you know what the current requirements are and whether you have suitable outlets here. The problem isn't the plug itself, which can easily be changed, but the current available in the circuit.