Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!asuvax!ncar!umigw!mthvax!wb8foz
From: wb8foz@mthvax.cs.miami.edu (David Lesher)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: American electronics on European power?
Keywords: power, Hz, transformer, Europe
Message-ID: <1990Aug4.004016.4948@mthvax.cs.miami.edu>
Date: 4 Aug 90 00:40:16 GMT
References: <1990Jul31.154929.27950@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu> <8798@uhccux.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu> <1990Aug1.215056.1316@bellcore-2.bellcore.com>
Reply-To: wb8foz@mthvax.cs.miami.edu (David Lesher)
Distribution: sci
Organization: NRK Clinic for habitual NetNews abusers
Lines: 33



I hate to disagree with someone as knowledgable as Phil; thus I am glad
to have Henry on my side;_}

It does "depend". There is a class of devices that you can deep_six at
once: ferroresonant (i.e. SOLA) transformers/power conditioners. Also,
anything that derives timing information from the line is SOL.

Now, as for the motor/ transformer equipped ones: If you tolerate the
motor running at about 66% of the normal speed, and the motor is
conservatively designed, you could get away with it. A window fan, for
example, will likely survive. So will an electric clock. (Don't reply
with the obvious.......)

If the device has a big power transformer, the odds just fell.
Especially in consumer products, the design margin is generally
about .0001% ;-} That hunk of iron COSTS! And [unlike that ASIC
chip] it does NOT get cheaper when you make 100,000 per year,
so tune your nose for that lovely smell of money burning.....

Thus, chances are the tuner and CD player will be fine, but that
new Saturn V 1000 watt RMS/channel amp won't be. But of course,
there are exceptions. My boss used his 60 hz microwave in Kenya
for 5+ years with no hassle. He also claimed that the slower
clocks helped him adjust to the pace of life overseas.


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