US Voltage

[colcha]

When I travel, I normally take a 6 way powerboard and a universal plug to charge all of my gadgets

This has worked well in the past in both Asia and Europe. However, will I have any issues with the powerboard if I use it in the US? All of the adapters that I intend plug into the powerboard work on 110V - 240V so that shouldn't be a problem. However, the back of the powerboard clearly states that it is intended for use on 240V. Has anyone else tried using an Australian powerboard in the US?

 

[v8Statesman]

I have done his many times Just make sure it is a generic $3 one from K-mart or the like. not a super duper one wth surge protection. I have had problems with them.

 

[dot]

I aggree with V8Statesman - works fine, done it many times. It also means you only need to take one plug adapter with you...

The converse however is NOT true. On two separate occasions, I have seen US powerboards (designed for 110V) destroy themselves when plugged into 220/240V... sparks, a big crack and some singe marks. Not advisable if you have US freinds coming to Oz.

 

[mainly tailfirst]

I have done his many times Just make sure it is a generic $3 one from K-mart or the like. not a super duper one wth surge protection. I have had problems with them.

Currently typing this on a PBook charging via a $5 job (Bunnings). All of my Australian power boards have been fine so far. Certainly for ordinary electronics you'll have no problems.

One caveat - US house wiring is geared to allow 20A from a socket. In Australia, it is typically 10A. So it is (in theory) possible to draw enough current through your el cheapo power board to melt it without tripping any circuit breakers. Though you'd need to be running a welder or something like it for that to happen.

mt

 

[v8Statesman]

One caveat - US house wiring is geared to allow 20A from a socket. In Australia, it is typically 10A. So it is (in theory) possible to draw enough current through your el cheapo power board to melt it without tripping any circuit breakers. Though you'd need to be running a welder or something like it for that to happen.

mt

Been a while since I did electronics, and I am sure someone will give more detailed explination. But I am sure 20A @ 110V genereates the same heat as 10A @ 220V.

 

[dot]

Been a while since I did electronics, and I am sure someone will give more detailed explination. But I am sure 20A @ 110V genereates the same heat as 10A @ 220V.

Yep P=VI.

where P=Power(in Watts), V=Voltage(in Volts) and I=Current(in Amps) so,

20A at 110V = 2200W
​

and

10A at 220V = 2200W
​

 

[mainly tailfirst]

Yep P=VI.

where P=Power(in Watts), V=Voltage(in Volts) and I=Current(in Amps) so,

20A at 110V = 2200W
​

and

10A at 220V = 2200W
​

Yes, but wiring is limited in current, not in total power throughput. So although US and Australian housing have similar power ratings on their power points, Australian housing wire can be a narrower gauge since the current required to transmit 2kW is half. In your el cheapo power boards, they use as thin a wire as they can get away with. Which is fine if you only pull 10A, but possibly not if you pull 20A.

mt

 

[SeatBackForward]

Just what I was about to ask and there's already a thread on it!

So I Assume there's no problems in using Australian electrical products in the USA? as our products are already at 240V and the USA is 110?

I have one of the Kensington (or variation of as discussed here) adapters, will it be ok to take to Japan/USA/Canada or charging of mobile phones...how about the missus' hair dryer that has a voltage switch?

 

[dot]

Yes, but wiring is limited in current, not in total power throughput. So although US and Australian housing have similar power ratings on their power points, Australian housing wire can be a narrower gauge since the current required to transmit 2kW is half. In your el cheapo power boards, they use as thin a wire as they can get away with. Which is fine if you only pull 10A, but possibly not if you pull 20A.

mt

Point taken. Considering that point, if US boards are made for 20A, why would the US powerboards fry when plugged into 240V? I personally have seen two self destruct (one in NZ and one in Oz - owned by two different Yanks). Neither powerboard had significant load at the time.

 

[mainly tailfirst]

Just what I was about to ask and there's already a thread on it!


We do aim to please...

So I Assume there's no problems in using Australian electrical products in the USA? as our products are already at 240V and the USA is 110?

I have one of the Kensington (or variation of as discussed here) adapters, will it be ok to take to Japan/USA/Canada or charging of mobile phones...how about the missus' hair dryer that has a voltage switch?

That should be fine. Since all my portable gear is 110-240, I make do with a simple plug adapter.

Also, since nobody asked, here is mt's guide to Aust electrical gear in the US.

1. Small 'Dumb' electrical motors (hair dryer, shavers etc) are fine if they have a 110-240 rating (or switch). Since the US is 60Hz they'll run a little faster, but otherwise all is okay.

2. Modern big 'Dumb' electrical motors (Washing Machine, Fridges etc) all seem to run the 110-240V/50-60Hz range, so should be okay. I've heard of a couple of horror stories, so I didn't even think about bringing ours over.

3. 110-220 converters.
Most of these convert the voltage *only*. So you end up with 220-230 at 60Hz. For most electronic (switched mode) supplies, that is fine. It's only devices with the big old transformer coils that may be at risk. It depends how well the rectifier that does the DC conversion handles the faster frequency.
E.g. I run a 400W converter that powers all my 12V chargers, Aust printer, router etc. that only can with 240V power supplies - but handle 60Hz. The converter is 1/3 the size of a car battery.

4. Wall Sockets.
US plugs are usually in pairs vertically. This means your aust 'wall wart' is the wrong orientation and you can only fit one on a socket. Since most modern rooms have 4 sets this usually is not a huge problem.


mt

 

[mainly tailfirst]

Point taken. Considering that point, if US boards are made for 20A, why would the US powerboards fry when plugged into 240V? I personally have seen two self destruct (one in NZ and one in Oz - owned by two different Yanks). Neither powerboard had significant load at the time.

I'm still scratching my head about that. A quick search found nothing, so I'll have to consult some collegues. Where the boards in question earthed?

I expect to have a bunch of US 110 gear when we eventually go back, so I'm intrigued as to why it would happen.
mt

 

[SeatBackForward]

Just what I was about to ask and there's already a thread on it!


We do aim to please...



That should be fine. Since all my portable gear is 110-240, I make do with a simple plug adapter.

Thanks muchly

 

[dot]

Where the boards in question earthed?

No idea - both instances were couple of years ago now... but I ditinctly remember a loud crack with one of them an both had wisps of smoke and singe marks. Neither were those really expensive surge protection powerboads, just your normal run of the mill powerboard without individual power switches...

 

[mainly tailfirst]

No idea - both instances were couple of years ago now... but I ditinctly remember a loud crack with one of them an both had wisps of smoke and singe marks. Neither were those really expensive surge protection powerboads, just your normal run of the mill powerboard without individual power switches...

Curious. Could be the extra voltage was enough to jump the air gap between active and neural pins. That would be really bad wiring though, if they were close enough for 240 and not for 110. Have to crack open the textbooks to see what sort of distance is significant enough. Of couse, they could have just been soaked in salt water at some stage

mt