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| Cheap, electronic US-to-EU mains converters |
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| BrokenYugo:
For cheap? Use the 240V already in the building. Sometimes you find a place with a 240V air conditioner socket (15-20A) already installed. Or if you're comfortable assembling such things buy a sub panel and plug it into the stove or dryer socket (240V 30 or 50A) and install a 15A two pole breaker to give a 240V 60Hz split phase supply to a socket of your choice. Note that in an apartment you sometimes get 2/3 of a 208Y 3 phase supply so you'll have 208V and not 240. |
| TimFox:
A quick look at Mouser finds several "regular" transformers capable of 120 V in and 240 V out, rated at 1 kVA. The price in single-unit quantity ranges from about $150 to $200 US. |
| AVGresponding:
--- Quote from: BrokenYugo on November 04, 2023, 08:55:20 pm ---For cheap? Use the 240V already in the building. Sometimes you find a place with a 240V air conditioner socket (15-20A) already installed. Or if you're comfortable assembling such things buy a sub panel and plug it into the stove or dryer socket (240V 30 or 50A) and install a 15A two pole breaker to give a 240V 60Hz split phase supply to a socket of your choice. Note that in an apartment you sometimes get 2/3 of a 208Y 3 phase supply so you'll have 208V and not 240. --- End quote --- UK/EU devices are designed to work with a power supply that has the neutral bonded to the earth at the installation source. US 240V is split phase and there is no earth-neutral bond in this case. It might be ok, or it might cause problems, ie with the mains input filtering. Proceed with care and caution if you choose to do this. |
| wraper:
--- Quote from: AVGresponding on November 05, 2023, 09:33:10 am --- --- Quote from: BrokenYugo on November 04, 2023, 08:55:20 pm ---For cheap? Use the 240V already in the building. Sometimes you find a place with a 240V air conditioner socket (15-20A) already installed. Or if you're comfortable assembling such things buy a sub panel and plug it into the stove or dryer socket (240V 30 or 50A) and install a 15A two pole breaker to give a 240V 60Hz split phase supply to a socket of your choice. Note that in an apartment you sometimes get 2/3 of a 208Y 3 phase supply so you'll have 208V and not 240. --- End quote --- UK/EU devices are designed to work with a power supply that has the neutral bonded to the earth at the installation source. US 240V is split phase and there is no earth-neutral bond in this case. It might be ok, or it might cause problems, ie with the mains input filtering. Proceed with care and caution if you choose to do this. --- End quote --- It's a total no issue. EU devices that are earthed are just supposed to be earthed, nothing to do with neural bonded to earth. Plugs/sockets are not polarized so neutral can be on either of prongs. Not to say Norway uses IT earthing system. |
| forrestc:
Have you taken an inventory of what you might want to take with you that is actually 240V only? I think you might be surprised how much stuff is actually 120/240V already and won't need a voltage converter. All you'll need is either an adapter or a replacement cord. Sometimes you'll find an older external power supply which is 240V only, but you can often just swap it for a similar universal voltage unit. Others have suggested options for powering 240V-only stuff in the USA. I'd suggest doing that only as a last resort. |
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