Electronics > Beginners
220 and 110 V
darinsquared:
Newbie question.
When making an electronics circuit from examples found on the internet most are written using 220v European standard. If I want to make the circuit using 110v N American standard what do I need to adjust? I have seen where you reduce the resistor to half. But does this apply to every resistor and what other changes are required?
rstofer:
I think your question is circuit dependent. You can post individual circuits and learn from any explanations you get. Of course, it matters where you are getting the explanations and who is giving them. Threads are pretty good because there will always be a consensus. Reading a one-off post somewhere on the Interweb is probably not a good explanation.
Many circuits use a transformer. The only change in this case might be the transformer primary voltage. If it doesn't use a transformer, don't even think about building the circuit. Having mains voltages running all over the place is risky.
And, no, dividing by two won't be the case for EVERY resistor. Without a schematic, we can't even determine if it applies to ANY resistor.
tooki:
FYI, remember that North America has actually been 120V, not 110V, for nearly 100 years. Doesn’t matter in most circuits, but better to design around the actual voltage.
IanB:
--- Quote from: darinsquared on November 09, 2019, 02:55:43 pm ---Newbie question.
When making an electronics circuit from examples found on the internet most are written using 220v European standard. If I want to make the circuit using 110v N American standard what do I need to adjust? I have seen where you reduce the resistor to half. But does this apply to every resistor and what other changes are required?
--- End quote ---
You won't like this answer, but if you are a newbie you should not be looking at circuits that use mains voltage. Lack of knowledge is dangerous around the mains.
Nearly all circuits using transistors, ICs and micros will be powered from a low voltage supply, e.g. 5 V or 12 V. These are easily powered by a mains adapter or USB charger suitable for the country you live in. These are the circuits you should be considering to build and there is no danger from mains voltage.
(I am not a newbie and I still get really nervous if I have live mains anywhere on my workbench. Far better to use a standard low voltage power supply.)
darinsquared:
I understand the risks. I work a bit around electricity just not circuitry. I am also looking at the options you mentioned but I want to understand how these circuits works. I want to try something basic like led light array and a simple PIR activated relay switch. I was looking at circuit to install a LED light into a 110V extension cord similar to the cords you can buy. (mine for some reason melted inside) I was just wondering if I Could replicate it on my own.
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