voltage question

M

Michael Tibben

Guest
Hi guys,

I don't know anything about electronics, so I'm hoping this is the right
place to post for some help with this..

I live in Australia, and I have just bought an electronic device from
the US.

The specifications on the website
http://www.roland.com/products/en/Studio_Package_Pro/specs.html
say that the "Power consumption" is 20W (AC 117/230/240 V)... I assumed
this meant that it would work in Australia at our 240V.

On the actual device now though it has a sticker on the bottom that says
AC 117V~50/60Hz

Does this mean it only works with 117V? I opened it up to check out the
power supply, as I know computer power supplies normally have a voltage
rating on them. I couldn't see anything that except a fuse which had a
250V rating. Does this mean it will work with 240V? ... However I know
the US uses a "split-phase 240 volt" or something??

As you can see I have no clue what I'm talking about, so can anyone help
me ??

Michael
 
Michael Tibben <michael@etherwave.com.au> writes:

Hi guys,

I don't know anything about electronics, so I'm hoping this is the
right place to post for some help with this..

I live in Australia, and I have just bought an electronic device from
the US.

The specifications on the website
http://www.roland.com/products/en/Studio_Package_Pro/specs.html
say that the "Power consumption" is 20W (AC 117/230/240 V)... I
assumed this meant that it would work in Australia at our 240V.

On the actual device now though it has a sticker on the bottom that
says AC 117V~50/60Hz

Does this mean it only works with 117V? I opened it up to check out
the power supply, as I know computer power supplies normally have a
voltage rating on them. I couldn't see anything that except a fuse
which had a 250V rating. Does this mean it will work with 240V?
... However I know the US uses a "split-phase 240 volt" or something??
Click to expand...
No, the fuse rating doesn't mean anything.

The only way to be sure is to check with the manufacturer. However, if
it doesn't say on the device that it works on 240 VAC, it probably
doesn't. Safest is to use a step down transformer.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ Home Page: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Site Info: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html

Important: The email address in this message header may no longer work. To
contact me, please use the feedback form on the S.E.R FAQ Web sites.
 
"Michael Tibben" <michael@etherwave.com.au> wrote in message
news:c4j86i$30s$1@merki.connect.com.au...
Hi guys,

I don't know anything about electronics, so I'm hoping this is the right
place to post for some help with this..

I live in Australia, and I have just bought an electronic device from
the US.

The specifications on the website
http://www.roland.com/products/en/Studio_Package_Pro/specs.html
say that the "Power consumption" is 20W (AC 117/230/240 V)... I assumed
this meant that it would work in Australia at our 240V.

On the actual device now though it has a sticker on the bottom that says
AC 117V~50/60Hz

Does this mean it only works with 117V? I opened it up to check out the
power supply, as I know computer power supplies normally have a voltage
rating on them. I couldn't see anything that except a fuse which had a
250V rating. Does this mean it will work with 240V? ... However I know
the US uses a "split-phase 240 volt" or something??

As you can see I have no clue what I'm talking about, so can anyone help
me ??

Michael
Click to expand...
Well, these days most power packs are switch mode and made to work just
about anywhere in the world. If the Rolands site says 117 -250volt that
sounds like normal. However it would be a good idea to check with Rolands
before plugging it in !!
The voltage rating of the fuse is no criteria. The USA has 110v for single
phase and 220volt as a "2 phase supply" whereas we have 240v - 415v here in
Oz.

--
Regards ........ Rheilly Phoull
 
"Michael Tibben" bravely wrote to "All" (02 Apr 04 18:27:51)
--- on the heady topic of "voltage question"

MT> From: Michael Tibben <michael@etherwave.com.au>

MT> Hi guys,

MT> I don't know anything about electronics, so I'm hoping this is the
MT> right place to post for some help with this..

MT> I live in Australia, and I have just bought an electronic device from
MT> the US.

MT> The specifications on the website
MT> http://www.roland.com/products/en/Studio_Package_Pro/specs.html
MT> say that the "Power consumption" is 20W (AC 117/230/240 V)... I
MT> assumed this meant that it would work in Australia at our 240V.

MT> On the actual device now though it has a sticker on the bottom that
MT> says AC 117V~50/60Hz

MT> Does this mean it only works with 117V? I opened it up to check out
MT> the power supply, as I know computer power supplies normally have a
MT> voltage rating on them. I couldn't see anything that except a fuse
MT> which had a 250V rating. Does this mean it will work with 240V? ...
MT> However I know the US uses a "split-phase 240 volt" or something??

MT> As you can see I have no clue what I'm talking about, so can anyone
MT> help me ??


Michael,

Perhaps the power supply is permanently wired for 117V operation but I
think that there might be a voltage selector switch somewhere on it.
If there is no voltage selector switch visible from the outside then
perhaps it is inside the case. If not then maybe it might be possible
to replace the transformer or set a jumper but that would require a
pro technician to do the job. There are also low power mini plug-in
transformers available for converting 117 to 240 for use in Europe etc.
Good luck.

.... No electrons were harmed in the posting of this message.
 
Sam Goldwasser wrote:
No, the fuse rating doesn't mean anything.

The only way to be sure is to check with the manufacturer. However, if
it doesn't say on the device that it works on 240 VAC, it probably
doesn't. Safest is to use a step down transformer.
Click to expand...
I have contacted Roland, and they have advised me to use a step down
transformer. Apparently the powerpack for the SI-24 is different in the
US to Australia

thanks for the help

Michael
 
Your unit needs a true step down transformer for 110 to 120 Volts.
Your unit's power supply is for North America only. The 250 V rating
is for the fuse only, and this is a safety rating, and has nothing to
do with the voltage rating of the supply.

As for the mains frequency issue, in North America they use 60 Hz.
Where you are, I believe they are using 50 Hz. Some power supplies
will be sensitive to this, even if the voltage is correct. If the
supply is sensitive to the mains frequency being too low for it, it
may run hotter, or may not perform properly. It's lifespan may also
be reduced, if it is mains frequency sensitive, and is used.

You may however, be able to order the proper replacement power supply
from Rolland for your unit to be used where you are. You must contact
them for this type of information.


Jerry G.
http://www.zoom-one.com

--


Michael Tibben <michael@etherwave.com.au> wrote in message news:<c4j86i$30s$1@merki.connect.com.au>...
Hi guys,

I don't know anything about electronics, so I'm hoping this is the right
place to post for some help with this..

I live in Australia, and I have just bought an electronic device from
the US.

The specifications on the website
http://www.roland.com/products/en/Studio_Package_Pro/specs.html
say that the "Power consumption" is 20W (AC 117/230/240 V)... I assumed
this meant that it would work in Australia at our 240V.

On the actual device now though it has a sticker on the bottom that says
AC 117V~50/60Hz

Does this mean it only works with 117V? I opened it up to check out the
power supply, as I know computer power supplies normally have a voltage
rating on them. I couldn't see anything that except a fuse which had a
250V rating. Does this mean it will work with 240V? ... However I know
the US uses a "split-phase 240 volt" or something??

As you can see I have no clue what I'm talking about, so can anyone help
me ??

Michael
Click to expand...
 
"Michael Tibben" <michael@etherwave.com.au> wrote in message
news:c4j86i$30s$1@merki.connect.com.au...

The specifications on the website
http://www.roland.com/products/en/Studio_Package_Pro/specs.html
say that the "Power consumption" is 20W (AC 117/230/240 V)... I assumed
this meant that it would work in Australia at our 240V.

On the actual device now though it has a sticker on the bottom that says
AC 117V~50/60Hz
Click to expand...
This seems to indicate that they make models for 117, 230, and 240 volts,
and you have the 117-volt version. Admittedly that was not obvious from the
website.

The 250-volt rating of the fuses does not matter since it is a maximum.

I suggest contacting the manufacturer for advice.
 
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