From: ivan@erich.triumf.ca (Ivan D. Reid)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.australian
Subject: Re: transformers- watts and volts?
Date: 3 Jan 1993 04:20 PST
Organization: TRIUMF: Tri-University Meson Facility
Distribution: soc
NNTP-Posting-Host: erich.triumf.ca
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    

In article <1993Jan2.123239.16665@vax5.cit.cornell.edu>,
 jlp@vax5.cit.cornell.edu writes...
>Once again, the subject of transformers.  I am moving to Melbourne, and want 
>to take a few appliances with me.  So, I went to Radio Shack and looked at the 
>transformers they have available.  One is for EITHER 50watt electronic
>appliances OR 1600watt heating appliances (non-motorised).  i know nothing
>about
>electricity, and have read admonishments on this newsgroup that you have to
>be careful in purchasing transformers.

	OK, I have both the Radio Shack converters.  The high-powered one is
_NOT_ a transformer; it's some sort of clipper and is really only suitable
for resistive loads (tho' my radio did run off it when I tried).  Not
recommended except for stated purpose.

	The smaller one is an autotransformer; i.e. a single winding with a
tap at 50% to provide 110 VAC.  NOT RECOMMENDED EXCEPT FOR DOUBLE-INSULATED
APPLIANCES!!  I know from expensive (and potentially lethal) experience that
it is only too easy to manage to get the 240 V active connected to the
common terminal and thus get the chassis of the appliance (in my case a Think-
Jet printer) at full mains potential. (Everything was fine until I plugged
the printer cable into the computer... :-().

	Best course of action is to go to a reputable electronics supply
shop and get a 2:1 _isolating_ transformer rated at 240 V input and enough
VA (watts) to handle your anticipated load.  If you're lucky, it will have
a US-style outlet but you'll probably have to wire in an Australian power
lead (unless it has one of those 6-sided universal jacks, then you just need
an Aussie cable).  I'd recommend installing a fuse in the primary circuit
if there isn't one already.
> 
>Will the transformer that I just mentioned be suitable for a 1000 watt ceramic
>that has a small blower fan in it?
	No.  See above.

>Also, can these sorts of transformers be run for long periods of time
>without damaging the transformer or the appliance.
	Probably, unless you exceed the ratings.

>Someone mentioned that they took a power bar to Australia.  I have a good
>one, but which transformer do I need for it?  Or, what information do I 
>need to havea bout the power bar to decide what transformer I need?
	You just need a source of 110 VAC of sufficient power to handle the
anticipated load (see above).  A power bar is recommended, to allow multiple
appliances to be run at the same time.

	In general, you should question the need to take any appliances
unless there's no economic way to replace them with a "proper" Australian
device.  Most computers, etc, can be switched to handle 240 VAC.  Anything
with a synchronous motor in it (turntables, clocks, etc) will not work right
even if you get the right voltage -- the frequency is different!  For small
appliances such as radios & tape recorders with an external power input,
consider the alternative of getting a small PowerPak (probably TM :-) of
the appropriate voltage once you get to Melbourne.

Ivan Reid, Paul Scherrer Institute, CH.     			ivan@cvax.psi.ch
Newsgroups: soc.culture.australian