Tweakers' Asylum Tweaks for systems, rooms and Do It Yourself (DIY) help. FAQ.

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RE: using 120v on a 240v piece of equipment

Posted by BT (A) on May 20, 2007 at 01:15:26

In Reply to: using 120v on a 240v piece of equipment posted by chris e. on May 19, 2007 at 23:48:32:

Chris

You will need to buy a step-up transformer that converts the incoming mains voltage from 120V to 240V.

Your equipment internal circuitry runs at a much lower voltage (typically 25V - 50V) and the mains incoming transformer steps it down to the requisite internal operating voltage based on the relevant ratio.

Accordingly, 240V mains rated equipment plugged into a 120V line will be feeding only half the required voltage to the internal circuitry and accordingly, your equipment won't work.

As for current rating, you are correct in that your equipment fuse will need to be upgraded to a higher current rating based on the lower mains voltage.

Irrespective of the mains incoming voltage, the power requirement of your equipment will remain constant. Power (P) = V (voltage) X I (current). So, a piece of equipment requiring 240W will be drawing 1A on a 240V line and 2A on a 120V.

Hope this helps.

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