240V AC

[[email protected]]

I bought an electronics device that wants a 240V AC input.

Unfortunately, I'm in the U.S., which only has 120V AC outlets.

Is there a way I can hook up this device?

 

[Tom Biasi]

I bought an electronics device that wants a 240V AC input.

Unfortunately, I'm in the U.S., which only has 120V AC outlets.

Is there a way I can hook up this device?

Buy an adaptor.

 

[John G]

I bought an electronics device that wants a 240V AC input.

Unfortunately, I'm in the U.S., which only has 120V AC outlets.

Is there a way I can hook up this device?

If you bought it retail in the US then take it back.

Are you sure it needs 240volts?
Tell us what it is then maybe we can answer better.

 

[DJ Delorie]

Unfortunately, I'm in the U.S., which only has 120V AC outlets.

I'm in the US, and I have 240V outlets in my house. Did you mean, it
wants a European outlet? They might be a different shape than US 240v
outlets.

 

[Chris]

I bought an electronics device that wants a 240V AC input.

Unfortunately, I'm in the U.S., which only has 120V AC outlets.

Is there a way I can hook up this device?

Hi, Mike. Look at outlets where air conditioners, washer/dryers,
freezers, and other motor loads are plugged in. There are plenty of
240V outlets in the US.

The two non-grounded blades aren't parallel, like in 120VAC outlets.
One blade is perpendicular to the other for standard 240VAC outlets.

Of course, if you want the convenience of running a small 240VAC bit of
electronics from a 120VAC outlet, you could do worse than purchasing a
small autotransformer. Look at

http://www.jameco.com

and look at part numbers:

99477PS 50VA 120-to-240VAC step up autotransformer, $8.95
85008PS 300VA 120-to-240VAC step up autotransformer, $27.95
221217PS 1000VA 120-to-240VAC step up autotransformer, $61.95

VA rating is just volts times amps. The 50VA autotransformer can only
crank about 200mA at 240VAC, the 300VA a little over an amp, and the
1000VA about 4 amps at 240VAC.

Depending on the country your electronics came from, you may also need
a plug adapter.

Choose your weapon.
Chris

 

[Bob Masta]

I bought an electronics device that wants a 240V AC input.

Unfortunately, I'm in the U.S., which only has 120V AC outlets.

Is there a way I can hook up this device?

Without knowning anything about the device, it's hard to say.
However, note that many devices these days use switchmode
power supplies, and these sometimes include a control to change
between 120 and 240 volts. These controls are deliberately made
small and recessed so they can't get changed accidentally.
Look for a small recessed rectangle with a screwdriver slot that
operates a slide switch, or sometimes a recessed circle for a
rotary switch. The 2 positions should be marked. You may also
need to change power cords to match the outlet.

The above comments particularly apply to computers, monitors, and
such that have power cords that can be unplugged from the device.
(That's how the manufacturer deals with the different voltages and
plugs.) The switch will usually be very near that.

Best regards,


Bob Masta
dqatechATdaqartaDOTcom

D A Q A R T A
Data AcQuisition And Real-Time Analysis
www.daqarta.com
Home of DaqGen, the FREEWARE signal generator

 

[[email protected]]

Without knowning anything about the device, it's hard to say.
However, note that many devices these days use switchmode
power supplies, and these sometimes include a control to change
between 120 and 240 volts. These controls are deliberately made
small and recessed so they can't get changed accidentally.
Look for a small recessed rectangle with a screwdriver slot that
operates a slide switch, or sometimes a recessed circle for a
rotary switch. The 2 positions should be marked. You may also
need to change power cords to match the outlet.

The above comments particularly apply to computers, monitors, and
such that have power cords that can be unplugged from the device.
(That's how the manufacturer deals with the different voltages and
plugs.) The switch will usually be very near that.

Best regards,


Bob Masta
dqatechATdaqartaDOTcom

D A Q A R T A
Data AcQuisition And Real-Time Analysis
www.daqarta.com
Home of DaqGen, the FREEWARE signal generator

Many SMALL electronics devices work on a very wide voltage range - you
could just try it on 120 volts - eg. razors can charge on anything from
5 to 400 volts! A lower voltage than it was designed for is very
unlikely to damage it.

 

[John G]

Many SMALL electronics devices work on a very wide voltage range - you
could just try it on 120 volts - eg. razors can charge on anything
from
5 to 400 volts! A lower voltage than it was designed for is very
unlikely to damage it.

The proper way to discover that is to READ the label.

The wrong voltage could let the magic smoke out and once its out it very
hard to put it back in to make the device work.

 

[Puckdropper]

[email protected] wrote in @b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com:

Many SMALL electronics devices work on a very wide voltage range - you
could just try it on 120 volts - eg. razors can charge on anything from
5 to 400 volts! A lower voltage than it was designed for is very
unlikely to damage it.

Speaking of small electronic devices, many of them run off a wall-wart
(or other external power supply) which you can get replacements for at
most stores with electronics. Match polarity, voltage, and current and
it'll work. Mess one up and you risk letting the magic smoke out or the
device simply not working.

Puckdropper