PS, 115v or 230v, i dont get it....

[Psylocke]

on the back of my power supply it has this little switch and you can either use 115v or 230v, what is this for????

enlight case, but i dont think it's the enlight ps.

do you ppl need my specs in order to answer this question?

abit kt7
duron 600
128 pc133
geforce mx
mx300
32x cdrom
7200rpm 15G HDD
15" monitor soon to be 17"

[Rat]

That switch is the input volage selector for the PS. All of the U.S. uses 115V (+ or - 10 volts) AC power standard wall outlets in homes(220 for air conditiners, stoves, washers and dryers). Some countries use 220V AC power. All Power supplies that I have seen have that selector switch on it, as well as some stereos and other appliances.

Rat...
"The object of war is not to die for your country but to
make the other ******* die for his."
--George Patton

[This message has been edited by Rat (edited 10-24-2000).]

[Psylocke]

oh thanx
so i'm guessing that canada has the same standards as the US.

[skywalker[TSG]]

a small tip

DO NOT TOUCH THAT SWITCH
IF YOU DO YA WILL FRY YOUR COMP

[Psylocke]

it was initially set to 115, i switched it to see what was on the otherside hehe but the power wasn't even connected. soo... i dont think there was any damage.

[shadow]

Yes Canada uses 115 VAC @ 60 Hz...2 flat blades on the plugs.

The USA copied from us http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

I know that England uses 220 @ 50 Hz.
Seems like a needless waste of volts to me http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[PickledOnion]

I have to agree with shadow, it is a waste of volts!

It also makes it difficult when we get over to the USA and Canada from here in sunny UK to buy cheaper electronic stuff.

Still, it's nice to be unique!

This may seem a silly question, but why would switching from 115 to 230 fry your stuff? Surely the outpult voltage from the PSU is the same?

[skywalker[TSG]]

well over here in sweden we use 230v
once i changed this to 115v

i did this when the comp was on
and well the PS exploded
sparks and smoke everywhere

[Ted61]

I=E/R
I=current
E=volts
R=resistance

If you are configured for 120 and try 240 the extra volts will smoke the diodes. If you are configured for 240 and try 120 the extra current will smoke the transformer.

We in the US like to use 120 because it helps keep the snakes away.

Ted