Hi Taffy, The UK Health & Safety Act makes it illegal for contractors to use 240V equipment on construction sites. The law changed a while back because there is a much greater chance of serious injury if you cut through a 240V power cable.
UK contractors have to use 110V gear on site. They have to use a step-down transformer - usually a big yellow box that weighs a ton. Fewer people get electrocuted because they're all off work with bad backs.:
