50hz vz 60hz and wattage

Myser

Justicia wrote: »

Close. January 1995

Ah, I just quoted the date from the original British Standard:
BS 7697:1993 Nominal voltages for low voltage public electricity supply systems

I believe the specified tolerance was supposed to change to +/- 10% but the date kept being put back!

Ich_2

The supply voltages, as stated, used to be 240V +/- 6%, when standardised it became 230V +10%/-6% to allow the UK to keep approximately to the original higher voltage range. The meant that the DNOs did not have to rush around lowering voltages.
Now any equipment sold in the UK should be designed to operate over the declared voltage ranges - but guess what, some isn't. We spend a lot of time having to adjust voltages to deal with equipment that has been purchased that does not meet these standards! DNOs do this as a favour rather than as they have to do it!!

Yes there are plans to alter the range to +/-10%, but it will probably never happen as it will require a huge investment by customers in equipment to operate over this range.

DVardysShadow

thelawnet wrote: »

I don't think the transformer alters the frequency. 50Hz in, 50Hz, out.

No, of course it doesn't.

Mankysteve

keystone wrote: »

Myser - you are quite right about harmonisation. More blasted EU bureaucracy.

Cheers

As we share power with mainland Europe it does make sense to share a common power standard. Plus it didn't actually result in any changes.

Sometimes Harmonisation between states makes sense.

keystone

Mankysteve wrote: »

Plus it didn't actually result in any changes.

Yes I know thats why it was nothing more than a bureaucratic paper chase and a total and complete waste of our money.

Cheers

DVardysShadow

keystone wrote: »

Yes I know thats why it was nothing more than a bureaucratic paper chase and a total and complete waste of our money.

Cheers

The change was in people's heads. It was an agreement. By agreeing that the mains voltage is 230V across the whole of europe, it means that in the UK we can use 230V harmonised equipment on our 230V harmonised supply and expect it to work.

Previously, we might have considered using 220V unharmonised equipment on our 240V mains and given up on the idea because we would rightly expect the equipment might fail. This would have costs for us in the UK, because everything would have to be specially made and badged and charged extra for.

I know it is the EU and the red mist is over the eyes before we start. But I think that you cannot claim that the harmonisation is just a cost with no benefits.

Gloomendoom

OP Don't mess around, get one of these...

thelawnet

Well I looked at getting a 250W transformer and they were lookin at about £50, in the end I decided to take a small risk and get another 150W.

The one I originally bought was this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/US-150W-Voltage-Converter-220V-110V-Travel-Power-Transformer-Adapter-/190615142606

I saw this, and assumed it was basically the same:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Visua-USA-UK-step-down-voltage-converter-150W-/250884956389

I actually bought it on Amazon for £2.50 more, but as I had an Amazon Prime subscription it meant I would get it next day, so it was worth it.

Anyway, it arrived, and it's about four times larger/heavier than the one I got from China, so there must be more gubbins inside it, it has a proper power lead rather than just plugging into the wall. The Chinese one is the same size as the 35W transformer I already owned, so I imagine it wasn't really 150W at all, just a rebadged one rated for lower.

New transformer is working fine, pleased to say.