Current events

I have this transformer that will knock France's 220-volt current down to 110. I don't use it much, since my ThinkPad and peripherals can munch on either voltage (except for the Tungsten, which would fry on French current), and the small appliances I've bought in France -- an electric toothbrush, a hand blender -- are, of course, happy with the local cuisine. But I do have the Tungsten, and the motor on the air mattress needs 110.

Since the air mattress is the only piece of furniture in the new apartment, I figured I'd blow it up to make my wait for Darty less excruciating. But ... nothing. I tried several outlets. Then noticed the lights didn't work. Nor the refrigerator, when it arrived. I found what looked to be a tripped circuit-breaker, but it wouldn't untrip. Just flopped back and forth.

I made another trip to the new apartment just now, unplugged the transformer, then tried flipping the circuit-breaker. Worked fine, lights came on, refrigerator hummed. Plugged in the transformer -- blooie.

Why this should be so bears further investigation. If I can't use the transformer, my plans for cultural domination (plugging my U.S.-spec television, VCR, DVD player and stereo, when they get here, into the transformer and creating my own little American Media Zone) are undone.