Getting wired for the U.S. and Italy!!!

Hi,

I am looking to buy an inkjet printer, DVD recorder with hard disk, and
home theater system. The problem is that I am living in Italy
(220V/50Hz) and may move to the U.S. (110V/60Hz) in the future. I
would the option to use these electronics in both countries.

I have the option of buying the products in the U.S., but would prefer
to buy them here in Italy. From a technical standpoint, is it better
to step down from 220/50 to 110/60 or step up?

I would like to avoid purchasing a voltage transformer/converter. Is
it feasible to have these products rewired by an electrician to handle
both voltages and frequencies?

I assume there is some form of a motor in all of these products. Is
this a problem as far as the frequency is concerned?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Jim Backus]

On Wed, 9 Feb 2005 22:06:35 UTC, gretagarbo85@yahoo.com wrote:

Hi,

I am looking to buy an inkjet printer, DVD recorder with hard disk, and
home theater system. The problem is that I am living in Italy
(220V/50Hz) and may move to the U.S. (110V/60Hz) in the future. I
would the option to use these electronics in both countries.

I assume you're aware of the different video standards - i.e Europe
PAL; US NTSC?

I have the option of buying the products in the U.S., but would prefer
to buy them here in Italy. From a technical standpoint, is it better
to step down from 220/50 to 110/60 or step up?

I would like to avoid purchasing a voltage transformer/converter. Is
it feasible to have these products rewired by an electrician to handle
both voltages and frequencies?

It's likely that both products will have switched mode PSUs internally
which would be less sensitive to frequency. If there is a mains
frequency transformer it will get hotter running off a different
frequency unless it is designed for 50 & 60 HZ operation. Copper
losses with be higher in 60 Hz transformer run at 50 Hz and there is
the chance of the core running closer to saturation. Iron losses would
be higher in 50 Hz transformer run at 60 Hz. It's probably slightly
better to run 50 Hz transformer at 60 Hz than vice-versa.

If you bought a model that had US and European variants, it might be
possible to replace the power supply.

I assume there is some form of a motor in all of these products. Is
this a problem as far as the frequency is concerned?

The motor will alsmost certainly be DC powered so unaffected by mains
frequency.

--
Jim Backus OS/2 user since 1994
bona fide replies to j <dot> backus <the circle thingy> jita <dot>
demon <dot> co <dot> uk