OT- How can we get around the voltage thing?

[Viztech]

I'm getting some old 486 machines packed up to go to Mexico in a Missions package. To be more precise a railroad boxcar loaded with clothing, medical and dental equipment, etc. etc. There will be about 40-60 tons in all. The usual procedure is to pack fragile items in clothing for padding, so that's easy.

Here is the problem. Mexico uses a standard voltage of 220 volt 50 hz. Since I am in the US, the only power cords that I have are 120 volt 60 hz.

[edit] Engineer has cleared this one up for me. Mexico uses 120/60 hz. [/edit]

I will be sure to only send equipment that has the voltage adjustable power supplies, but the correct power cord is a whole other issue.

Any suggestions?

viz

 

[CurtOien]

viztech,

I think it's nice what your doing.

If you don't get the answer here, maybe someone in the General Hardware Forum knows.

 

[Viztech]

Thanx Curt.

I'm beginning to think that I should just send US cords with them, and let the Mexicans install replacement cord caps, or just strip the cables and wire nut them.
I've seen some of the wiring jobs in the poorer areas of the world. It ain't pretty.

viz

 

[Robor]

I dunno about the place you're sending them to but I know where I work I've got a surplus of power cords. Yes, they're standard (seem to be included in everything we buy) but maybe where you're sending them there's someplace local that they can pick up some 220 power cords for free or next to nothing?

Just wondering... What does a 220 power cord look like? Is it like a dryer cord we use in the USA? Hope that doesn't sound tooo stupid.

Cool of you to donate your hardware and time. Good deeds rule!

Rob

 

[Viztech]

Robor-

Like you, I have an oversupply of power cords- for the US. The Mexican receptacle pattern is nothing like the US standard.

I have been scrounging around seeing what I can use. I have several Sony and Panasonic single or double speed CD Roms with that proprietary interface. (non IDE) They should work OK with the machines that I'm sending. I also remember that the school has a dozen or so Perfect Works CDs that have a Spanish version on them. I think that Each machine will get a copy of that as well.

I also have a couple of 14.4 modems. Might as well install those.

Hmm, this is going to fun. Se habla Espanol?

viz

 

[Engineer]

VizTech,

How did you find out that Mexico uses 50Hz....? Our plants in Mexico uses standard 120V - 60Hz power...I thought only European Countries used 50 Hz power?

Even South America uses 60Hz (I know first hand)...

Good Luck Viz! Great job!

 

[BurntKooshie]

Engineer, not true....I know someone from Brazil who brought something with her that was 220v, 50hz...last I knew Brazil was in South America...

 

[Engineer]

BK,

We build industrial machinery and sent one to Sao Palo Brazil a few years back (wonderful trip I might add)...I'm the Electrical Engineer on the electrical controls side and all the power in the building and hotel's were 60Hz. There were a few 120 outlets in the plant, but I do recall the hotel being 220...Although 60Hz? Oh well...Now I'm confused! DOH!

Good Luck!

 

[Viztech]

Engineer-

If you are confused, then so am I, as You have seen this first hand.

I just did the inventory of monitors, and I only have 4 dual voltage ones. Apparently the monitors do an auto detect and select the right transformer tap.

Well, I'll just send the 4 computers with CD Roms and the sound/interface cards that I have for them, and the 4 dual voltage monitors. I'll send some US power cords and let the Mexicans work out that detail.

viz

 

[Engineer]

Cord guide...

Notice both Mexico and Brazil use 60Hz

Supply voltages worldwide



The first hand experience I was talking about above is that my company has plants in both countries and I have to supply electrical controls to all the plants in both countries...

 

[BurntKooshie]

now I'mterribly confused....I know she's from brazil....and I know the thing she had was 220 / 50hz....aaaaaaaaaaaaieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

/me watches his brain fly out the window

[EDIT]Formatting

 

[Viztech]

BK-

Obviously your friend had a device that was European and just had to use a voltage converter to use it.

I think you better go fetch your brain before somebody else gets it.

Thanx Engineer! your links clear up everything.

viz

Still no replies in GH. As is the norm, you get better technical assistance in this forum than the others.

 

[mindless]

I think it might be time to take a trip by BK's place, Ive been looking for a mind for a while.....

 

[Riv]

Engineer, the worldwide voltage pages are not up-to-date. In Sweden we use 230V@50Hz but are reported on both links as 220V@50Hz. 220V stuff will probably work but...

 

[JWMiddleton]

I have a cord that I got to run my computer while in England. It is the same cord we use in US with a different end. Thus, you could simply buy new Plug Ends and change them. This is assuming that the systems will auto-sense the voltage/cylces, or has a manual switch.

 

[vss1980]

OK, unless my Electrical & Engineering course has taught me wrong, wire thickness is determined by current.

In USA, you use 120V, which means for a 240W power supply, for example the wire will need to carry 2 Amps. If you took that cable to a country where 240V (UK) was used then that would mean the cable would only carry 1 Amp. Voltage does not effect thickness. This means that the cable would be fine going in this direction - the other way could cause concern.

As for the phase frequency difference, 50Hz and 60Hz makes no difference at all - the average current/power transfer is always the same. The only way this could effect something is if the cable had a specific capacitance built in for a very specific reason to work with a specific phase (now lets see, normal copper wire for office equipment - nah, I doubt it!)

EDIT: As for the voltages involved, make sure the PSU's are the correct voltage or work on both voltages AND phase frequencies (the frequency isn't important to the power cable but is very, very important to the PSU itself). Otherwise Mexico could be filled with the sound of 'fizzle, fizzle'.

Also, PSU's marked 230V are made for use in countries where the Voltage is 220V->240V. 115V PSU's are made for countries which use 110->120V.

 

[Viztech]

This link just saved me again. A lady called wanting to know about taking her laptop to New Zealand.

/me thinks that laptop power supply cables would be a popular airport giftshop item.

viz