European Power supply

[Minwah]

Is the European power system 240volts?  I presume so, but I am just curious as I'm thinking of getting one of these...just wondering what type of plug adaptor I would need.

Link



Edit by moderator: shorten those URLs!

[M3talhead]

Where in Europe? Just about everyon runs at 240v/50hz (with the few 3rd world exceptions).

[youki]

Where are you Minwah?

If you are in UK, you just have to find a plug convertor.  (France or German one to UK ).

If you are in U.S , i don't think it is enough , i suppose you would need a transformator.

[M3talhead]

I can gaurantee you'll need a transformer. I use them all the time for 110 crap I didnt bother buying here when I moved. You can get a 300w 110-240 block for about $40-60.

[rugby1]

Do they not make a US version at 110 Volts?  I would go out of my way to get a 110 controller because transformers and adaptors are a pain to deal with....   First, Transformers will not, repeat WILL NOT, convert the hertz from 50 to 60 or vice versa.  This is "hard" on electronic equipment.... (trust me, I've messed up many American Microwaves here in Europe)  Plus they suck power like crazy even if the device attached to them is turned off. The transformer is still going to pull electricity.....  so unplug it if you arent using it. 

[teef2]

Far as I remember Minwah the voltage is 220v. A simple adapter should do. I'm off to Spain in a couple of weeks, do you want me to pick a European to UK converter up?

[Minwah]

Where in Europe? Just about everyon runs at 240v/50hz (with the few 3rd world exceptions).

I can gaurantee you'll need a transformer. I use them all the time for 110 crap I didnt bother buying here when I moved. You can get a 300w 110-240 block for about $40-60.

Isn't that a contradiction??  The US uses 110v doesn't it?  I am in the UK which uses 240v - I probably didn't make that clear.


Thanks though guys, I gather it is ~240v so all I need is the plug adaptor.

teef2: thanks for the offer but I should be able to pick one up locally ok

[youki]

Yes , the adaptor will be enough.

I ordered few time month ago a brand new Atari 130XE from UK , and i just had to by a plug adaptor to make it work in France.

[Minwah]

Yes , the adaptor will be enough.

I ordered few time month ago a brand new Atari 130XE from UK , and i just had to by a plug adaptor to make it work in France.

Cool, thanks for confirming!

[jcrouse]

(with the few 3rd world exceptions).

Mini is DEFINATELY a third world kinda guy.

John

[Minwah]

Mini is DEFINATELY a third world kinda guy.

 

[M3talhead]

Sorry, should have been clearer. I keep forgetting you have bad teeth.....

[Level42]

Actualy this is the story:

Europe used to be 220 VAC
UK used to be 240 VAC (Always stubbern those Brits )

So, to standardize within entire Europe, it was decided about 10 years ago that the voltage in the UK would be lowered wit 10 VAC, and (You guessed it) increased with 10 VAC in the rest of Europe. This has been done in steps.

So it's 230 VAC nowadays. Just put a multimeter in your mains outlet and you should get about that value.

Minwah, it's your own fault the US people thought you were from the US. UK people always mention Europe as if it is something you don't belong too.....you may all wish that would be the case, but UK is definitly a part of Europe

(P.S. I love Britain, most visited foreign country  so DON'T get me wrong )

About the 50-60 Hz thing: It's all 50 Hz in Europe. I recently got a US Dreamcast and it works fine on 50 Hz mains power through a step-down converter. So I'm not sure the Frequency thing is such a big problem nowadays.

Luckely more and more devices now come with power supplies that will "eat" anything between 100 and 240 VAC. I thought it was a bit strange the Dreamcast does not (apparantly) have a power supply like that.

P.S. Minwah, glad your DC controller port problem is solved ! Greetings my friend !

[Level42]

My good friend Google found this:

http://users.pandora.be/worldstandards/electricity.htm

Some interesting story about how it all came to be and the pro's and cons of both "systems". And a list of many countries' voltages....

[Naez]

Also used this when traveling the globe (Currently in Thailand btw)

http://kropla.com/electric.htm#plugs

Gives a good overview of our worlds inability to standarize.

//Naez