Collection: UK & US power adapters – international lights, German power grid

Do you have a table lamp or designer light from Great Britain or the USA – and need the right power supply for a German socket? Or are you moving abroad, taking your lamps with you, or want to safely operate international lights and other devices on the appropriate power grid? Here you will find UK power adapters (Type G) and US power adapters (Type A/B) for table lamps, floor lamps, LED lights, smartphones/tablets, and other applications – many of them as direct replacements for defective original power supplies.

UK or US – which plug fits? A quick comparison

The right solution for your equipment

UK power adapters (Type G) are suitable for lights from England, Scotland, and Wales – as replacement power supplies for designer lights, Sompex table lamps, and other brand-name lights with a British plug. Examples include the 450mA constant current driver with a UK plug, suitable for the Sompex Maya, the UK LED driver with 12V DC and 1A, or the UK power adapter with 350mA constant current and a dash-dot connection. For higher power requirements, the 24V power supply with 1.7A and 40 watts for UK plugs is suitable.

US power adapters (Type A/B) are suitable for lights from the USA and Canada – 12V constant voltage, LED drivers, and transformers with an American plug. Ideal when 110–120V input is required, such as the 150-watt transformer for 120V to 12V AC, the dimmable 35–105-watt halogen transformer for US grids, or the 50-watt converter with Class 2 safety certification. For high-power installations, the 500 VA toroidal transformer or the smaller 400 VA toroidal transformer for US grids are suitable.

Universal wide-range power supplies (100–240V) can be used worldwide – the most flexible solution for anyone traveling internationally or operating lights from different countries, such as the compact 5V USB power adapter with Euro plug for charging on the go.

What you should consider before buying

The decisive factors are the plug type (Type G for UK, Type A/B for US), output voltage (mostly 12V DC), and power in watts – all three values must match the original. If you need a replacement power supply for an existing light, the model designation on the old power supply will help.

Adapter or converter – what is the difference?

A simple socket adapter only changes the plug shape, not the voltage – it is only suitable if your device can handle both voltage ranges anyway. A converter or transformer, on the other hand, actually converts the voltage, for example from 120V to 12V, and is mandatory for lights with a fixed input voltage.

50Hz or 60Hz – does it matter?

Germany and Great Britain operate on a 50Hz grid frequency, whereas the USA uses 60Hz. For most modern LED power supplies and electronic transformers, this difference is irrelevant as they are designed for a wide frequency range. With older, purely mechanical transformers like toroidal transformers, the frequency can be relevant – when in doubt, it is worth checking the manufacturer's specifications.

Overview of mains voltage by country

Travel adapter or replacement power supply?

The correct polarity

Many power adapters use a barrel connector. Pay attention to the correct polarity here – usually positive inside and negative outside – and compare it with the original power supply to avoid purchasing the wrong item.

Correctly reading the output voltage

The most common output voltages for our power supplies are 5V for USB chargers and small devices, 12V for most lights and LED applications, and 24V for higher-power LED systems. You can usually find the required voltage printed directly on the original power supply or the light itself.

Replacement power supplies for well-known lighting brands

Many of our UK and US power supplies are suitable as replacements for Sompex lights, for example matching the Sompex Maya. We do not currently carry brand-specific replacement power supplies for other international design brands – in this case, check the plug type, voltage, and wattage of your original power supply to find a suitable model.

Safety: CE, UKCA & UL

When buying, look for recognized safety marks: CE for the European market, UKCA for Great Britain, and UL for North American products. These labels confirm that the power supply meets the applicable safety requirements.

Personal lighting consultation in the Wuppertal showroom

Not sure which power supply fits your light? We can help you at our showroom in Wuppertal-Vohwinkel – with 30 years of lighting expertise, also for international inquiries.

Located between Düsseldorf, Cologne, Essen, and Dortmund – right in the Bergisches Land region – you will find our lamp store in Wuppertal. Many customers visit us specifically because they are looking for a lamp store nearby and want to discuss their suitable international power supply in person before purchasing.

Frequently Asked Questions