Exchanging a 120V 60Hz AC Adaptor with a 220V 50Hz - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: yiannis.liatsos
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 13, 2014, 10:47:14 am
content: I am a newbie with respect to the principles of electricity and electronics and this is my first post on this forum.Being the newbie that I am, I made the haste decision of buying a Panasonic Dect Phone system from theUSA(I live in Greece).PROBLEM: I just realized that the external AC Adaptor (model: PNLV226) requires INPUT:120 V~60 Hzinstead of220 V~50 Hzthat is required inEurope. (The produced OUTPUT is 5.5 V - 500 mA)QUESTION: Can Ireplacethis charger (120@60) with a European one (220@50) if the later meets the 5.5 V - 500 mA Output specification? .Thank you in advance for any advice offered.Yiannis

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2014, 10:55:42 am
content: Most of those adaptors nowadays are switching mode power supplies. An overwhelming majority of them are designed form 90v to 240v.To be safe, I would switch out to the right voltage specficiation. To be lazy, I would just plug it in and measure the output to be sure that it is 5v and call it a day.

author: electr_peter
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 13, 2014, 11:09:41 am
content: Quote from: yiannis.liatsos on December 13, 2014, 10:47:14 amYes, if DC specs are similar or better (5.5V 500mA, 5.5V 1000mA and bigger mA fits) you can replace US charger.Regarding US charger - picture says "120V 60Hz". I would not care about 50/60 Hz difference too much for SMPS, but 120/220V difference is significant.If caps inside that SMPS are rated for ~200V only, they will blow once you turn this thing on - not good.Get an appropriate power supply rated for 220V or buy some other power supply rated for ~5.5V at 500mA and modify DC connector.

author: yiannis.liatsos
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 13, 2014, 01:02:34 pm
content: Quote from: electr_peter on December 13, 2014, 11:09:41 amThis is great, thank you for your prompt reply!So what I understand I should do is:1) buyany220V 50Hz power supply rated ~5.5V @ 500mA, and2) cut off theoriginalDC connector and attach it on thenewpower supply.CORRECT?

author: electr_peter
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 13, 2014, 01:19:08 pm
content: Quote from: yiannis.liatsos on December 13, 2014, 01:02:34 pm1), 2) - basically correct. Get a supply and a required DC connector.It is best if you can get a proper 220V@50Hz 5.5V 500mA power supply with matching connector.Other option: there are some power supplies with various interchangeable DC connectors on the end - check in local electronics store.But if you can't find a substitute, you can modify DC connector of power supply.Only modify DC connector if you know how to do that (properly remove insulation, crimp or solder, insulate connection). Be aware of polarity - check with your multimeter. US power supply has some polarity markings on the case for +/-.

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2014, 01:27:57 pm
content: The 5.5V spec may be a sticking point.You will find nearly all "wall wart" power supplies out there are 5.0VYou may have to actually go to Panasonic and get their European wall wart for that model.I have some Panasonic camcorders that use a 5.1V DC "wall wart" power supply.I tried operating them from 5.0V and they FAILED!You wouldn't think that such a tiny variation would make any difference.But maybe your telephone gadgets are more forgiving.

author: yiannis.liatsos
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 13, 2014, 01:42:54 pm
content: Thank you all for your help!Quote from: Richard Crowley on December 13, 2014, 01:27:57 pmRichard: I will take up on your advice and lookup an equivalent EU Panasonic adapter.Quote from: electr_peter on December 13, 2014, 01:19:08 pmPeter: I really appreciate your to-the-point feedback. If I don't find a suitable adapter (Panasonic or other) I will ask an electronics specialist to help me with the mod.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2014, 05:53:49 pm
content: Quote from: dannyf on December 13, 2014, 10:55:42 amThis is bad advice. It is more complicated and expensive to make a power supply that works up to 240 V compared to one that works only on 120 V (e.g. higher voltage rated capacitors, greater control range of the switching regulator, etc.).Universal power adapters are usually provided for devices that may travel, like cell phones or laptops. For a home phone that is captive to its local market the manufacturer may have opted for a cheaper single voltage power adapter. Plugging a 120 V power adapter into 220 V may at best cause it to fail instantly with a bang, but at worst may cause it to overheat and cause a fire.