US 220V vs. European 220V

I have a few European appliances in my house that I would like to use but they require 220V outlets. I am already using a few of them with small step-up converters but I don't think that this is the best solution for this problem.

Instead of buying another step-up converter for another room I was wondering if I could use the 220V line that I have in my house (currently just for the dryer) and fit it with European outlets.

A) Would it be legal?
B) Are US 220V specifications the same as European 220's?
C) Would it be safe to connect my equipment to the new outlets?

Thank you very much for your help.

 

It would probably not be legal to connect it to the dryer outlet. The dryer is a 30 amp outlet.
US 220 is 60 hz. European 220 is 50hz. otherwise it's the same.
You could intall new 220 outlets. How safe it is depends on what the deivce is you are using.

 

I think you might be better off buying the converter rather then trying to intergrate the 50hz system into the 60hz of North America. The difference although it doesn't sound like much is really a fair amount. When trying to do get a device to work outside its tolerences you are taking a risk of having fires or at the least killing the appliance. Plus you do have to worry if your insurance company would even cover any damages as a result of doing this as you would be violating the manufacturers specs on the appliance.

 

It depends wether the appliance has a motor or not.
I have a Raclette oven from Switzerland with a heating element and it runs on 240V. I installed a 6-20R (20A 240V) outlet in the dining area 28 years ago and have used it without problem since.

 

Thank you very much for your insightful ideas!

I do not intend to use a motor. Just a few desk lamps and a stereo amplifier. Do you think there might be a problem with transformators within the lamps and the 50/60Hz issue?

 

Only motors will care about the 50/60 Hz difference. No self respecting power supply will care, and actually, running a PS at 60hz will improve the output characteristic. Most PS nowadays are switching power supplies, and 50/60 Hz is neglijable compared to the 100khz a switching power supply runs at.