hdrw@ibmpcug.co.uk (Howard Winter) (02/12/91)
Laci Ladanyi (ladanyi@cs.cornell.edu) writes: > I'm going to buy an IBM/AT compatible machine here, but I'd like to > use it in Europe, too. Unfortunately the electric system is different. Yes, and different countries vary, but not enough to worry. Most of the Continent of Europe uses 220V 50Hz. Britain uses 240V 50Hz. Most devices will work on either voltage - the supply tolerance is about +/- 15% anyway. > I know that there is no problem with the computer itself, because its > power supply is switchable, but what can I do with the monitor? I have > never heard about an SVGA monitor which has switchable power supply. > Of course I could transform the voltage of the european system to > 110 volt, but also the frequency is different. Does this cause any > problem? It shouldn't matter, since the line frequency is not used by modern high-performance monitors anyway (Closed Circuit monochrome TV may do, but not EGA and upwards). If the monitor voltage isn't switchable, an auto-transformer for 240/220 to 110V should be fine. Need to be quite powerful (HEAVY!) though - probably about 100VA would be about right. > Does anybody have experience about this? I would very appreciate if > somebody could help me. The monitor I am using now is an NEC Multisync (the original, before they started numbering them, type number JC-1401P3EE), and the data plate is marked: 220-240V 50/60Hz 78W. Check the specifications before you buy your monitor - that should enable you to decide what to do. A couple of extra points: 1. Mains plugs. There is no standard plug & socket for mains electricity - most European countries are different from each other and they are all different from the US. Bring a multi-way US socket strip on a lead and a collection of adaptors to plug it into the wall. If you need to wire a plug in Britain, the wiring colours are: Live (the one that would give you a shock!): Brown, Neutral (the normal return path for current): Blue, Earth ('Ground' - the safety path for fault current): Green/Yellow. British plugs have a fuse in them on the Live (or 'Line') pin. 2. Customs. Make sure you bring all paperwork with you, and find out beforehand how to import things on a temporary basis without paying import duty (if possible!). Most countries are OK as long as you show that you are trying to comply with their rules, but be warned: British Customs & Excise officers are very keen, follow the rules to the letter, and have no sense of humour. You could find yourself in the position of either having to pay import duty or having the goods 'seised in the name of the Crown'- as happened to an Aunt of mine when she casually said to a Customs officer that she was thinking of selling her (American) car in Britain, having 'temporarily imported' it. (She got it back when she agreed to export it again). So be careful, and find out the rules and procedures well before you arrive. Having said all this, have you considered buying the monitor when you get here ? I don't know about prices in other European countries, but in England an NEC 3D can be found for about 425 pounds sterling (including 15% VAT - a sort of sales tax). Cheaper SVGAs can be found for about 300 pounds if you know where to look (Computer Shopper advertisments!). This implies that you don't want to take it back, otherwise the voltage problem arises when you get home, of course. I hope some of this is useful - have a nice trip! Regards, Howard. -- Automatic Disclaimer: The views expressed above are those of the author alone and may not represent the views of the IBM PC User Group. -- |_| |\ |) | | hdrw@ibmpcug.Co.Uk | |oward |/. |\. |/\|inter 0W21' 51N43' --------