I've got a EURO1400 PSU with a Euro plug. Am I right in thinking I can just cut the pug off and change it to a UK plug, and it will work fine? The only difference I can see is UK is 240v and EU is 220v.
I've got a EURO1400 PSU with a Euro plug. Am I right in thinking I can just cut the pug off and change it to a UK plug, and it will work fine? The only difference I can see is UK is 240v and EU is 220v.
Hi, I believe most European countries have a nominal voltage of around 230VAC on their respevtive grids, which means you will probably have a few percent higher DC voltage from the PSU (roughly 4.5 - 5 %) so that will probably be safe.
Single phase AC Supply voltages are 'harmonised' now across Europe / UK / EU, at 230v.
In practice, most of Europe still has roughly 220v and the UK roughly 240v, just the spec changed to 230v +10% / - 6%.
It is probably fine to just swap the plugtop in this case. But it is worth keeping in mind that mains voltages in places near to large sub-stations in the UK are often right upto the 252/253v tolerated voltage, to allow for volt-drop further down the line. This can, in some cases, cause problems or shorten the life of older/cheap electronics designed for European use.
It is probably fine to just swap the plugtop in this case. But it is worth keeping in mind that mains voltages in places near to large sub-stations in the UK are often right upto the 252/253v tolerated voltage, to allow for volt-drop further down the line. This can, in some cases, cause problems or shorten the life of older/cheap electronics designed for European use.
Aye, we usually have ~250 volts here, presumably so that stuff further out from the transformer stays above 230
The only difference I can see is UK is 240v and EU is 220v.
This should not be a problem. Worst case - the output voltage of the PSU may be around 9% higher (than a UK PSU) if Sinclair actually used a transformer wound for 220V, this will just cause a bit more heat to be dissipated by the 7805 voltage regulator.
It is however possible that Sinclair just used the same transformer for 220V areas as that used in the UK, in which case the only difference is the label and the plug :p.
If you have a multimeter you could always test it. Keep in mind that they are unregulated and so the off-load (when not connected to the Spectrum) voltage will be higher (typically between 10.5V to 12V).
! Standby alert !
“There are four lights!”
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb!
Looking forward to summer in Somerset later in the year :)
I have a euro 1400 PSU here that was outputting 17v off load and 15v on load which caused
the internal TR4/TR5 circuit to stop working. The unit would not boot correctly and it was
only when I placed a 12v regulator in the PSU that the Spectrum came back to life!
That's a very neat solution! I didn't know they even existed. :-o
I have at least 3 appliances (bought in the UK) that were supplied with one of those conversion plugs already fitted on. Very handy when I need to hide the mains cable through a small gap and the other end of the cable is directly wired into the appliance.
Comments
Hi, I believe most European countries have a nominal voltage of around 230VAC on their respevtive grids, which means you will probably have a few percent higher DC voltage from the PSU (roughly 4.5 - 5 %) so that will probably be safe.
Hope this helps,
Berty.
EDIT: I just looked this up on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_electricity#Voltage_levels
Feel free to help yourself to the Sinclair ZX Spectrum +3 Manual.pdf
schombi.de/my-retro-collection.html"
I've done that myself a few times too, and as you say; no probs at all :)
Feel free to help yourself to the Sinclair ZX Spectrum +3 Manual.pdf
In practice, most of Europe still has roughly 220v and the UK roughly 240v, just the spec changed to 230v +10% / - 6%.
It is probably fine to just swap the plugtop in this case. But it is worth keeping in mind that mains voltages in places near to large sub-stations in the UK are often right upto the 252/253v tolerated voltage, to allow for volt-drop further down the line. This can, in some cases, cause problems or shorten the life of older/cheap electronics designed for European use.
just think about it, you can buy adapters that do this too. or even mobile/tablet power cables with interchangeable pins......
i also changed a german 3 point extension cable and added a UK plug so i can use three german appliances in the UK when i am over :-)
Aye, we usually have ~250 volts here, presumably so that stuff further out from the transformer stays above 230
You could also use a UK to Euro conversion plug (adaptor) like this..
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BS_1363#Conversion_plugs_.28BS_1363-5.29
You can get them from some electrical shops or online (eg ebay) :smile:
This should not be a problem. Worst case - the output voltage of the PSU may be around 9% higher (than a UK PSU) if Sinclair actually used a transformer wound for 220V, this will just cause a bit more heat to be dissipated by the 7805 voltage regulator.
It is however possible that Sinclair just used the same transformer for 220V areas as that used in the UK, in which case the only difference is the label and the plug :p.
If you have a multimeter you could always test it. Keep in mind that they are unregulated and so the off-load (when not connected to the Spectrum) voltage will be higher (typically between 10.5V to 12V).
Mark
Repair Guides. Spanish Hardware site.
WoS - can't download? Info here...
former Meulie Spectrum Archive but no longer available :-(
Spectranet: the TNFS directory thread
! Standby alert !
“There are four lights!”
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb!
Looking forward to summer in Somerset later in the year :)
That's a very neat solution! I didn't know they even existed. :-o
Feel free to help yourself to the Sinclair ZX Spectrum +3 Manual.pdf
Just check the voltage on and off load.
I have a euro 1400 PSU here that was outputting 17v off load and 15v on load which caused
the internal TR4/TR5 circuit to stop working. The unit would not boot correctly and it was
only when I placed a 12v regulator in the PSU that the Spectrum came back to life!
Russ