moving to australia

[kickstep]

I might be moving to australia (from canada) and i was wondering what i would have to change in my computer to have it work there. would i just change the power supply and it would be all good, and it would still be the same dimensions and everything? also what about my monitor and speakers, how well do transformers work if anyone knows or should i just replace them (about $350 monitor + $350 speakers so id prefer to save some money)

thanks!

 

[Harvey]

U.S. and Canadian power mains supply 117 volts AC at 60 Hz (cycles/second) while Austrailian power mains supply 230 volts AC at 50 Hz. As you already know, your wall powered gear will not work without some help. What you will need to do depends on the gear.

Here's a link to some info about power standards worldwide.

Here's another from that page to Australian standards.

1. Many products, probably including the power supply for your computer, have a switch that adjusts the nominal input voltage range between 110 - 120 VAC (volts AC) at 60 Hz to and 220 - 240 VAC at 50 - 60 Hz. For any of your gear that has such a switch, all you'll have to do is move it to the correct position.

Be SURE to check the specified frequency as well as the voltage. Depending on whether the design of a particular power supply is linear or switching, this can make a huge difference because the efficiency of linear supplies is greatly reduced at the lower frequency.

2. Some power supplies have a "universal" design that accepts the full range of input voltage and frequency. Read the specs on each device.

3. For any gear that uses a wall wart, you will need to buy another one that works on the local power mains and delivers the same output voltage and current as the ones your gear currently uses.

One other word of caution -- Even for gear with connectors from the D.C. output that look and fit the same, there is NO standard for which contact (the outer sleeve and inner contact) is positive. You should know this before connecting a replacement supply to your gear. If the power is reversed, you could damage your gear.

4. For any gear that uses only 117 volt, 60 Hz AC, you will need a step down transformer with the appropriate plug to connect to the Australian mains that converts the power from 230 VAC at 50 Hz to 117 VAC at 60 Hz and connects it to a standard North American receptical.

This is the least efficient type of conversion so you should use it only for the most important legacy devices you need to keep. For any of your gear in this group that uses a lot of power (high power stereo amps, appliances, etc.) it may be best to consider selling what you have and buying new gear in Australia.

 

[MplsBob]

Harvey

What an incredibly detailed answer!

Three cheers and a tip of a hat to you, your reply really deserves special notice.

MplsBob
=============================================

 

[w00t]

Originally posted by: MplsBob
Harvey

What an incredibly detailed answer!

Three cheers and a tip of a hat to you, your reply really deserves special notice.

MplsBob
=============================================

agreed, except with less kiss ass

 

[Bill Kunert]

4. For any gear that uses only 117 volt, 60 Hz AC, you will need a step down transformer with the appropriate plug to connect to the Australian mains, converts the power from 230 VAC at 50 Hz to 117 VAC at 60 Hz connected to a standard North American receptical.

This is the least efficient type of conversion so you should use it only for the most important legacy devices you need to keep. For any any of your gear in this group that uses a lot of power (high power stereo amps, appliances, etc.) it may be best to consider selling what you have and buying new gear in Australia.[/quote]

Step down transformers do not change the input frequency. Output will be 115vac 50Hz. The reduced frequency will increase current flow in inductive devices and decrease current in capacitive devices. Usually not a problem.

Bill

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: Bill Kunert
Step down transformers do not change the input frequency. Output will be 115vac 50Hz. The reduced frequency will increase current flow in inductive devices and decrease current in capacitive devices. Usually not a problem.

Bill

Bill -- You're right. The transformer doesn't change the frequency of the AC. What I meant was that the transformer steps the voltage down from higher voltage to the lower one used by the gear. It's also important to know that linear transformers and power supplies are less efficient at 50 Hz than at 60 Hz. One determinant of the power handling capacity of a transformer or inductor is the mass required to handle the magnetic losses and DC resistance. These losses are greater at lower frequencies.

Frequency is also a factor in the efficiency of a linear power supply because larger, more expensive capacitors and inductors are required to obtain the same amount of ripple reduction at lower freqencies. Both factors make linear supplies specified at 50 Hz larger and more expensive than those with the same power rating working at 60 Hz.

Switching supplies are much more efficient because, before they do any conversion, they chop the power from the wall socket into square waves at much higher frequencies (typically 50 KHz - 200 KHz). At these frequencies, the capacitors and inductors required for filtering the power are much smaller.

Typical linear supplies are roughly 30% - 40% efficient. Typical switching supplies are 80% - 90% efficient. Looking at it from the other side, typical linear supplies waste between 60% - 70% of the power from the wall, and typical switching supplies waste between 10% - 20% of the power from the wall. Any power not delivered to the circuit is wasted as heat. Dealing with the added heat adds yet more cost to the conversion process.

I'm not trying to teach a course in electronics or physics. I just tried to answer the OP's questions with the info he needs to deal with his move.

 

[Seekermeister]

Deleted