Power Supplies Around The World

[jonnyGURU]

Different countries have different input voltages

Countries around the world have different voltages coming from the utility mains. From a low 100V, used in Japan, all of the way up to a commonly used 240V.

Computer power supplies that have active power factor correction are able to automatically adjust for different input voltages. Just be sure to look at the label of the power supply to find out if your mains voltage is within the range of capability of the power supply unit. Some units will say 90~230V, others will say 100~240V, while others may just be 230V or 240V only with no option to run at lower voltages.

Power supplies without power factor correction tend to have a 110V/220V or 115V/230V switch on them. ALWAYS make sure this switch is set to the correct input voltage prior to plugging the computer into the wall. If your input voltage is 120V, using the 115V setting is acceptable. If input voltage is 115V, using a 110V setting is acceptable, etc.

For a picture of a typical 115V/230V switch, click here.

Some power supplies are sold as "230V only" or "240V only" units. This is because the input, or "primary", side of the unit is engineered to only handle the lower current of higher voltage mains. These power supplies are marked as such and should NEVER be used on AC input lines lower than the voltage specified.

For a picture of a label on the back of a 230V only PSU, click here.

My power supply doesn't seem to support my country's voltage

If the country you plan to use your computer in uses a lower AC line voltage than what your power supply supports (typically a lower voltage), it is suggested to not use that power supply for your PC. Lower voltages require more current to deliver the same amount of wattage. The components inside the power supply may only be able to handle so much current, therefore the unit may become damaged from prolonged usage.

An AC input voltage difference of -/+5V is acceptable. Therefore, if your power supply unit has a 120V/240V switch and your mains provides 115V, it is acceptable to set the switch to 120V and continue using the unit.

Different countries have different plug types

All computer power supplies have either an IEC C13/C14 (C13 is the male plug on the cord while C14 is the female socket on the unit) power receptacle or, in the case of very high wattage units, an IEC C19/C20 (C19 is male, C20 is female) power receptacle on the power supply housing. By standardizing the socket on the power supply unit, users are capable of using a good number of different power cords with different plugs on them for use in different countries.

Power supplies sold in North America typically include a power cord with a NEMA 5-15 plug. Those sold in UK and Europe typically include a power cord with a BS 1363 or CEE 7/7 respectively. Of course, which power cord comes inside the box really relies on the distribution channels used to get the power supply unit on the shelf at your retailer. Fortunately, universal PC power cords are often available at electronics and computer stores for anywhere between $3 and $5 USD. Ironically, a new power cord costs a good deal less than a mere travel adapter.

 

[vailr]

No mention of the Hz rating (cycles per second)?
With equipment using AC cooling fans, the fan speed would vary depending on it's designed Hz rating.
It probably wouldn't affect a PC's DC cooling fans, but possibly a UPS (or other equipment with an AC cooling fan), for instance.
A UPS would require more than simply replacing the power cord, if you were trying to utilize a 120v/60 Hz UPS in a European 240v/50 Hz country.
Then there's countries like Jamaica, which uses 115v/50 Hz.
One would probably need to purchase a UPS via the local European country's distributor, due to the numerous electrical plug designs.

 

[jonnyGURU]

We're talking about PSU's, which convert AC to DC power. Everything in your computer works off of DC that the PSU converts from AC. 50 Hz or 60 Hz doesn't matter to the input of a PSU, but in some cases the input voltage does.

 

[usadapter]

The power stantard and the wall jack is different from countries, so you may need a specific switch when you are out of your country to power your pc, otherwise you cannot power your pc via adapter.

 

[HOOfan 1]

Originally posted by: usadapter
The power stantard and the wall jack is different from countries, so you may need a specific switch when you are out of your country to power your pc, otherwise you cannot power your pc via adapter.

As to the wall jack...all you need is a different power cord. As to the power standard...that is already addressed in this thread. An APFC unit should work with any power standard...check the label and it will tell you the voltage and frequency range it will work on. A non-APFC PSU should have the switch on it.

So no you don't need a "specific switch"

 

[shirleydeng520]

Originally posted by: HOOfan 1

Originally posted by: usadapter
The power stantard and the wall jack is different from countries, so you may need a specific switch when you are out of your country to power your pc, otherwise you cannot power your pc via adapter.

As to the wall jack...all you need is a different power cord. As to the power standard...that is already addressed in this thread. An APFC unit should work with any power standard...check the label and it will tell you the voltage and frequency range it will work on. A non-APFC PSU should have the switch on it.

So no you don't need a "specific switch"

Maybe I can't agree with you, I just bought a new one, it really need.

 

[theAnimal]

Bump for re-sticky.

 

[pmv]

I'm still not entirely clear, from reading the above, what the situation is regarding UK vs continental voltages.

It says don't use a psu rated for one voltage with a lower voltage...but does that mean you can't use a UK 240V rated PSU in continental Europe?

Given that, in the UK we used to have 240V, but then they fudged the standard so it could be anything from 220V to 250V in order to make it appear the same as the rest of Europe, even though in reality it probably isn't, as its probably still 240V in most of the country, from what I have heard.

I think they likewise fudged the standard in Continental Europe to go from 210 to 240, so a UK 240V appliance will meet the standard in theory, even if it doesn't in practice.

So officially UK and the continent share a common standard, even though in reality there's likely to be a 20V difference.

Also, is it also a problem going the other way? Using a 220V PSU in the UK with 240V?

 

[Red Squirrel]

220 vs 240 is probably not a huge jump. Kinda like some appliances are rated at 120 or 125 or even 110, but they all get plugged into a 120v outlet. I have never seen anything outside of 119v-121v range coming out of an "120v" outlet.

 

[Rackmountsales]

This is basically a difficult term to find its actual concept of power supply in different countries. Power supply functions include auto scan and ramp for multi-level DC bias testing, and up to 4.8 kHz square-wave output for digital circuit trouble shooting. It depends on country that how much they required power.

 

[Mark R]

I'm still not entirely clear, from reading the above, what the situation is regarding UK vs continental voltages.

Also, is it also a problem going the other way? Using a 220V PSU in the UK with 240V?

The mains voltage in Europe is 'harmonised'*. The specification is 230 V (with range of 207 - 252 V). Any equipment designed for use in Europe since harmonisation in 1995 should be designed to operate correctly throughout this entire range. This specification has been around for plenty of time, and it have to be the most negligent of manufacturers who didn't design their PSUs to this specification.

There is a second European law which helps here. PSUs sold in Europe must, by law, have PFC. These days, PFC is often done with an active PFC circuit, which has a side effect of acting as a voltage regulator, allowing a very wide input voltage range (e.g. 90 - 260 Volts). However, do not assume such 'universal voltage' capability, unless the PSU specification label clearly states such.

Prior to 1995, the UK traditionally had a 240 V (range 226 - 252 V) mains supply, whereas mainland Europe has traditionally had 220 V (range 207 - 233 V).

In practice, no changes have been made to the mains supply in the UK or Europe, and even new electrical installations are designed according to the 'traditional' voltages.

* Between 1995 and 2008 - there was a 'transitional period, with different specifications in the UK and mainland zones, with (217-252 V in the UK, and 207-242 V in Europe) - this was to give time for old more voltage sensitive equipment to go out of use. Since 2008, there is a single voltage range for the whole of Europe and the UK.

 

[pcgeek11]

I'm still not entirely clear, from reading the above, what the situation is regarding UK vs continental voltages.

It says don't use a psu rated for one voltage with a lower voltage...but does that mean you can't use a UK 240V rated PSU in continental Europe?

Given that, in the UK we used to have 240V, but then they fudged the standard so it could be anything from 220V to 250V in order to make it appear the same as the rest of Europe, even though in reality it probably isn't, as its probably still 240V in most of the country, from what I have heard.

I think they likewise fudged the standard in Continental Europe to go from 210 to 240, so a UK 240V appliance will meet the standard in theory, even if it doesn't in practice.

So officially UK and the continent share a common standard, even though in reality there's likely to be a 20V difference.

Also, is it also a problem going the other way? Using a 220V PSU in the UK with 240V?

Rule of thumb is plus or minus 10% so a 220 VAC would accept 198 VAC up to 242 VAC and still be within specification.

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

I'm still not entirely clear, from reading the above, what the situation is regarding UK vs continental voltages.

It says don't use a psu rated for one voltage with a lower voltage...but does that mean you can't use a UK 240V rated PSU in continental Europe?

Given that, in the UK we used to have 240V, but then they fudged the standard so it could be anything from 220V to 250V in order to make it appear the same as the rest of Europe, even though in reality it probably isn't, as its probably still 240V in most of the country, from what I have heard.

I think they likewise fudged the standard in Continental Europe to go from 210 to 240, so a UK 240V appliance will meet the standard in theory, even if it doesn't in practice.

So officially UK and the continent share a common standard, even though in reality there's likely to be a 20V difference.

Also, is it also a problem going the other way? Using a 220V PSU in the UK with 240V?

you live in europe so you don't need to worry about pfc or non pfc. You can't sell a non pfc psu in europe. all of them must be pfc

 

[Tr4nd]

I would fry the PSU if I connect the lower rated PSU to a higher voltage power socket right ?

 

[lazybedone]

tnx for the info guys, it helped me in my research work in electrical consumption for various countries.

 

[ata123]

I have a general question if anyone can reply,
when you start charging laptop does battery goes on stand by and laptop runs through external adopter or laptop still run through battery and external adopter only charge the battery

 

[msbettyhunt]

Your "laptop still runs through the battery and external adopter only charges the battery" statement is absolutely right.

 

[mindless1]

Your "laptop still runs through the battery and external adopter only charges the battery" statement is absolutely right.

Note how old the topic is!

No, the laptop runs from the AC/DC adapter when it is providing power. Think about it, most laptops don't need the battery installed at all to run with the AC/DC adapter.