Question about Singapore power vs. USA power

[Michael]

Thre is a decent chance that I will be moving to Singapore sometime in the next 6 months.

I'd like to be able to bring my computers with me. I know from experience that my laptop power supply can handle it (I just need the right plug or convertor). How about desktop PCs? Do the power supplies tend to work all over the world or will I need to buy a new one for each case. How about monitors (I have 2 19" LCD monitors that I'd like to take as well).

Michael

 

[SocrPlyr]

If you get a converter you should not have a problem.... However, I am not sure about Singapore, but if the power there is 230V all you have to do is flip the button on the back of the computer (almost all powersupplies can go between 120V and 230V) and get a new power cable (the part that goes into the back of the PC is standard...)

Josh

yell if i am wrong and i will retract my statement ;-)

 

[bacillus]

all you have to do is flip the button on the back of the computer

I concur with Josh.

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: bacillus

all you have to do is flip the button on the back of the computer

I concur with Josh.

And get the cable..... Singapore is the same adapter as the UK if I remember from my stay there.

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: WackyDan

Originally posted by: bacillus

all you have to do is flip the button on the back of the computer

I concur with Josh.

And get the cable..... Singapore is the same adapter as the UK if I remember from my stay there.

Oh... but keep in mind that if you are in the US, the power you get is 60Hertz or as some say 60 cycle. In the UK it's 50 Hertz or 50 cycles.

That difference may or may not affect your power supply. In most cases, it won't. But if your rig starts acting flaky, it coul dbe part of the problem.

 

[ElFenix]

singapore might be like malaysia and the outlets in each house or apartment complex are different depending on the nationality of the guy that did the wiring. but yeah, all you do is flip the switch and get an adapoer

 

[thraxes]

Originally posted by: WackyDan

Originally posted by: WackyDan

Originally posted by: bacillus

all you have to do is flip the button on the back of the computer

I concur with Josh.

And get the cable..... Singapore is the same adapter as the UK if I remember from my stay there.

Oh... but keep in mind that if you are in the US, the power you get is 60Hertz or as some say 60 cycle. In the UK it's 50 Hertz or 50 cycles.

That difference may or may not affect your power supply. In most cases, it won't. But if your rig starts acting flaky, it coul dbe part of the problem.

Shenanigans! The power has to be rectified to DC in any case, and AC-DC conversion is in no way affected by an input frequency difference of 10HZ, no matter what type of rectifier you use (if you want to rectify an airliners AC bus this might be a bit different... 400HZ baby!). I find it hard to believe that a decent PSU designed for multi voltage use would go flakey bc of the frequencies which are standardised the world over.

There should be a switch at the back of your computer for going 120V-230V. If not get a new PSU that has this. Most monitors have a multiple voltage capable PSU with auto sensing. I haven't owned a screen since a Goldstar 14" (1991) that didn't have this, but just check the manual before you take my word on this... better safe than sorry

Have a great time in Singapore!!

 

[Michael]

I've seen the two round prongs and the UK three rectangle prongs in Malaysia. Singapore was just UK style from what I saw, but I've been told that the 2 round prongs can be found as well.

From what I can tell, I just need to buy a couple of new power cords. I'll have to check my printer and my speakers to make sure they have a switching power supply, but my LCD monitor manual says it does.

Michael

 

[dgseik]

yeah..juz change to 230V will work...

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: thraxes

Originally posted by: WackyDan

Originally posted by: WackyDan

Originally posted by: bacillus

all you have to do is flip the button on the back of the computer

I concur with Josh.

And get the cable..... Singapore is the same adapter as the UK if I remember from my stay there.

Oh... but keep in mind that if you are in the US, the power you get is 60Hertz or as some say 60 cycle. In the UK it's 50 Hertz or 50 cycles.

That difference may or may not affect your power supply. In most cases, it won't. But if your rig starts acting flaky, it coul dbe part of the problem.

Shenanigans! The power has to be rectified to DC in any case, and AC-DC conversion is in no way affected by an input frequency difference of 10HZ, no matter what type of rectifier you use (if you want to rectify an airliners AC bus this might be a bit different... 400HZ baby!). I find it hard to believe that a decent PSU designed for multi voltage use would go flakey bc of the frequencies which are standardised the world over.

There should be a switch at the back of your computer for going 120V-230V. If not get a new PSU that has this. Most monitors have a multiple voltage capable PSU with auto sensing. I haven't owned a screen since a Goldstar 14" (1991) that didn't have this, but just check the manual before you take my word on this... better safe than sorry

Have a great time in Singapore!!

My experience has been different though not always with Solid state PSU's but one. My company used to beta test equipment from Ireland and the UK over here in the States.

On one notorius system, the difference -->50 Hz to 60Hz messed with some relays, to a degree that they had a much shorter life.

On another, an electric feedback motor was subject to pulsing. Ironically, Once we ordered a 60Hz Supply, the problem went away. Go figure... took three weeks and four of us to figure it out.

Never really bothered with a final fix for that relay.

 

[screw3d]

Originally posted by: Michael
I've seen the two round prongs and the UK three rectangle prongs in Malaysia. Singapore was just UK style from what I saw, but I've been told that the 2 round prongs can be found as well.

From what I can tell, I just need to buy a couple of new power cords. I'll have to check my printer and my speakers to make sure they have a switching power supply, but my LCD monitor manual says it does.

Michael

Most likely (almost definitely) you'll be using the 3 square prongs type to connect from the power source to the PSU. I haven't seen any 2-prong computer power cables in Malaysia/Singapore yet.

So yes, you'll just need a power cable if your PSU is switchable.