The Difference Between 110v & 240v Tools

What is the difference between 110v & 240v power tools?

When deciding which power tool to hire or buy, you may see that you can choose either 110-volt or 240-volt options with corded power tools.

It isn’t a signal to which is more powerful or better at the job – they both have the same power output and method of use. It is to do with where and how you will be using the tool and increasing safety.

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 recommends that 110v tools are used in environments which may be wet, dusty, or dirty, and have a large number of personnel and distractions present. This can be a construction site or a similar work environment, such as a factory. 110v power tools are seen as posing less of an electric shock risk if they’re damaged while in use.

Meanwhile, 240v tools are compatible with home and residential environments. Mains plugs in the UK have a 230v nominal supply, so work with electricals around the 220v-240v range. They can therefore be plugged straight into your mains plug sockets without the need for a transformer.

At Speedy, we have a range of 110v and 240v power tools available, as well as any extras you may need, such as transformers or RCD units. Our handy bundles allow you to hire everything you need in one go, and our customer service staff are always on hand to offer help and advice.

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110v or 240v? Which do I use?

A 240v tool is for anyone who will be using the power tool in the home, say for domestic DIY. They are compatible with standard mains three-pin plugs. The higher voltage is seen as less of an issue due to the environment of a home-based project.

The risk of danger, damage, and debris is a lot lower versus site work. 240v plugs can also be plugged right into mains sockets, reducing the need for transformers which can complicate the setup.

A 110v power tool, on the other hand, is designed for use on sites or other potentially hazardous environments. Where there is a higher risk of incidents such as cutting through cables or overloading power sources, 110v power gives less risk of serious injury and electric shocks from electricity.

The risk is still high, however, so the correct precautions still need to be taken. Using an RCD power breaker, for instance, is recommended.

When hiring from Speedy, we will ensure you have all of the equipment you need for the job and where you will be working.

What do transformers do?

A transformer will take in the voltage from the mains electricity supply, and change the voltage, redistributing the electricity for the required task.

This can help you safely use a power tool which is the incorrect voltage for your power source, whether it is because the power tool wasn’t available in the correct voltage, or because you need to use specialist professional equipment in a home environment.

If hiring power tools from Speedy, you usually have the option to choose between 110v and 240v for the tool you need. However, if there is no option of choice, an isolating transformer can convert the voltage of a corded power tool.

Most sites ban 240v tools because of safety. 110v tools are seen as posing less risk of shock, as the current flowing through the cable is half of that with 240v tools. This is important if the electrical wiring or appliance is damaged.

However, the consensus is that it is best to just use 110v tools where possible to minimise the number of products on site.

Likewise, if you want to use a power tool or appliance at home and only the 110v version is available, you can use a transformer to convert the voltage to 240v.

Using a transformer means that you can make high-quality, professional-grade power tools safe to use at home, for any DIY jobs or renovations.

Can I convert a tool to a different voltage?

No. Changing the plug of a power tool will cause irreparable damage; the components of the tool or appliance are all suited to work at the original voltage.

Changing a 110v plug to a 240v plug, for instance, will overload the power tool and cause serious risk of damage and potential electric shocks or electric fires.

Never convert an existing tool. It is safer to hire a separate power tool which is best suited to your job application.

Cordless power tools & battery voltage

Cordless power tools use a battery, rather than corded mains power, to work. Batteries often come in various voltages, such as 12v, 18v, and 20v.

The voltage describes the power output. Most tools will be able to be used with particular voltage outputs, so you may find that the best battery to use with a drill is a 12v battery.

Using cordless power tools, therefore, takes away the headache of using transformers. You just need to choose the correct battery, which will be in the user guide and information.

At Speedy, we have a range of battery-powered tools available for hire, from drills and cutting equipment to lighting and wacker plates.

Talk to our customer service team or in-store staff to work out the best solution for your needs.