alford@ecsvax.UUCP (Ross Alford) (06/01/86)
I have some questions about using devices intended for 115 volt, 60 Hz AC in countries that have 220V, 50 Hz AC supplies. First of all, do the 'travel converter' type devices (eg Franzus) work with electronic gear if the wattage ratings are compatible? Is there any reason to go the apparently more expensive route of buying larger and heavier step-down transformers? Second, and importantly, can devices not explicitly labelled as operating at either 50 0r 60 Hz be safely run at 50? This includes things like AC adapters for small electronic devices, NiCd battery chargers, and, of course, video monitors. Do monitors use the 60Hz AC for any sort of synchronization? All the monitors I have are just labelled 115v, 60 Hz. Will they work at 50? Switching power supplies (EG Apple and Kaypro)? Any light that anyone can shed on these questions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Ross Alford ...mcnc!ecsvax!alford
dgary@ecsvax.UUCP (D Gary Grady) (06/02/86)
In article <1639@ecsvax.UUCP> alford@ecsvax.UUCP (Ross Alford) writes: >I have some questions about using devices intended for 115 volt, >60 Hz AC in countries that have 220V, 50 Hz AC supplies. First >of all, do the 'travel converter' type devices (eg Franzus) work >with electronic gear if the wattage ratings are compatible? I have never looked inside one of those travel converters but I have heard that some, at least, generate "dirty" power (presumably due to their being based on a half-wave rectifier or something) and should not be used with "sensitive" electronic equipment, whatever that is. Transformers are heavier and all that, but they aren't all _that_ expensive. I think I'd go that route for simple peace of mind. >Second, and importantly, can devices not explicitly labelled as >operating at either 50 0r 60 Hz be safely run at 50? For almost everything the answer seems to be "yes." 50 Hz is close enough to 60 that power supplies just don't care. I have heard that some video monitors derive certain frequencies from the line, but everyone I have talked to who has actually tried it assures me monitors run just fine on 50 Hz, 110 volts, no matter how they're marked. Useless aside: 50 Hz makes movies run faster on tv in Europe. To match the PAL and SECAM scan rates, they're shown at 25 frames per second versus 24. That's a difference of about 2.5 minutes per hour. -- D Gary Grady Duke U Comp Center, Durham, NC 27706 (919) 684-3695 USENET: {seismo,decvax,ihnp4,akgua,etc.}!mcnc!ecsvax!dgary
david@ztivax.UUCP (06/04/86)
I have a Compaq Deskpro with monitor, floppy, tape, and winchester. Also, a HP pen plotter, and a stereo CD player. All were purchased in California and shipped to Europe. All work using 110v to 220v adapters. No problems at all. Even Hayes modems and all the modem software I have tried works, except at 300 baud where they seem to use a different standard in Europe.