The Blendtec Designer Series and Total Blender Classic are made for use only in the US and Canada.
I have a good friend who purchased a Blendtec Total Blender Classic several months ago. He loves it and wanted to take it with him when he moved to England so that he could continue to enjoy perfectly blended green smoothies, nut butters, and milk shakes. He asked me if he’d have any problems using his blender in England. Unfortunately, like a lot of other appliances, blenders that are built for the US market won’t work in many other countries around the world, including England. This is primarily due to differences in the power transmission systems.
Power systems used around the world can be lumped into two broad categories: 120-volt and 240-volt systems. In addition to the different voltages, countries often differ in power frequency (50–60 hertz) and the type of plugs needed for the wall socket (there are at least 13 different types of plugs used around the world!).
The Blendtec HP3A is made for use in countries outside the US and Canada.
The motors that we use in our blenders are designed to operate at specific voltages. So, a blender built for the US market has a motor that operates correctly only when powered with 120 volts. A blender that will be used in England needs a motor that operates correctly at 240 volts, as well as a plug that fits into the electrical outlets in the country. Without replacing the motor and plug, a blender built for the US market will not function correctly in England. And, any changes made to adapt the blender to a different power transmission system will void the warranty.
Various devices can convert voltage and electricity currents. For example, transformers can convert 240 volts to 120 volts and power inverters can convert 12-volt direct current (DC) to 120-volt alternating current (AC). Though these devices can be used safely with low-power appliances, the devices usually can’t provide the power Blendtec blenders require or the waveforms necessary for our blender electronics to function correctly. We don’t recommend using these devices with our blenders; doing so will void the warranty.
We use ol’ Bertha here to provide different voltages as we test various motors.
So, while my friend’s blender works great in the US, it won’t work for him in England. The good news is that we currently ship blenders to nearly 90 countries worldwide (including England), so he is covered. Wherever you are, we probably have a blender that will work in your location!
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About Paul Faerber
I'm the Director of Engineering at Blendtec. I've been with Blendtec since 2006. Part of what makes my job so fun is our great group of creative, clever, dedicated engineers. I love to engineer products that people use every day—products that people use to achieve their health goals, and sometimes make decadent treats, too!
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family. We love to play games, go on hikes, read, watch movies, and cuddle. Most nights we have healthy smoothies made with our Blendtec blender. Weekends are the perfect time for whole wheat pancakes and crepes. Our kids have come to associate the sound of the blender with a healthy treat!
Hi Paul Faerber
Nice topic and write up, I read with interest.
However I wanted to point out a small editing mistake in the second paragraph.
It reads: Power systems used around the world can be lumped into two broad categories: 1200-volt and 240-volt systems.
I believe you meant to say “120-volt and 240-volt systems” ? a simple mistake in editing, but I’m trying my luck to see if I am worthy of a free Blendtec® Twister™ jar???
With
Best Regards & Cheekyness!
Craig Barlow
P.S. The cost of Total Blender here in Europe is simply ridiculous, more than double what the American market charges. I am an electronics engineer and seriously considered the 240-volt to 120-volt transformer/rheostat option, but then decided that the Total Blender was such a classy piece of engineering that my modifications would have been crude in comparison. So I saved my olde English Pennies and paid the full price of £552 (US$825) so far she has been worth every penny saved, I’m a happy customer and recommend your products to friends and family
Craig,
Thanks for noticing the typo! It should be fixed now. A 1200-volt blender would be something to see! I’m glad that you have been enjoying your blender!
Regards,
Paul