I have a 240V single phase home electronics device from overseas that I want to run. I am wondering if it is possible to run it off the 2 active phases from, say, a 220V drier outlet? Essentially, instead of running the device from 240 phase-to-ground it would be 220 phase-to-phase. What would this do?
I don't want to get one of those external 110-240V transformers unless I have to. Any suggestions?
The other question is ?cycles?hertz? or whatever- We run on a 60 --- system, not everyone does. I remember watching setting the running speed of a generator years ago by plugging an electric clock into it, then adjusting speed until it ran at 60 seconds to the minute, as checked by a wristwatch.
240V single phase shouts European to me. A lot of those can deal with 50-60Hz depending on what the device is. Only a few still use the AC frequency ad a clock base.
I use a step up transformer on some audio gear, works fine.
If the device uses the neutral ( grounded conductor) for safety like the 110V polarized devices use in this country then I would say, no don't do it. The only safe way would be to use an isolating transformer.
Unless it needs a 30amp circuit, a dedicated 20 amp circuit would be much safer, and legal. You could also put 20 amp or lower fuses at the dryer outlet connection.
What could possibly go wrong?
Dr. Hess wrote: What could possibly go wrong?
Not sure, that's why I'm asking. Worst case, a flash or fried electronics smell and no chance of ever using it again.
It's an Australian model Yamaha home theater receiver. I shipped my gear over to North America after living here for a couple of years already, and most Yamaha amps have universal power supplies. Not this model, it turns out. It just has a two-prong plug for active and neutral, no ground. I learned that phase to phase on a American power supply is 220-240V, so hence my question.
Check the schematics. If the neutral; is used as a ground in the unit then the case will be changed with 120VAC to ground. You can also check with a ohm meter to make sure neither of the plugs goes to ground.
I'd definitely fuse your adapter if you want to plug into a dryer/stove outlet. With AC, as far as I know, the polarization is mainly a safety thing in lamps (an attempt to insure the screw is neutral and the tip is hot), it shouldn't care so long as it has ~240 AC between the two wires. I doubt the power supply will care much about being fed 60Hz.
pjbgravely wrote: Check the schematics. If the neutral; is used as a ground in the unit then the case will be changed with 120VAC to ground. You can also check with a ohm meter to make sure neither of the plugs goes to ground.
Where are you finding home appliances that connect the neutral to the case? Outside of ancient pre WW2 (later ones were halfass isolated with a cap) "hot chassis" transformerless tube radios I've never seen or heard of anything like that. People would be dying left and right with how many reversed polarity outlets are out there.
BoxheadTim wrote: 240V single phase shouts European to me. A lot of those can deal with 50-60Hz depending on what the device is. Only a few still use the AC frequency ad a clock base. I use a step up transformer on some audio gear, works fine.
I have got it working previously with a small toroidal 110-220V step-up transformer that I installed in a vacant spot inside the case. The trouble is it is small and gets very hot even at low volume levels, so I doubt that it will last very long. 60Hz didn't seem to trouble it.
BrokenYugo wrote: Where are you finding home appliances that connect the neutral to the case? Outside of ancient pre WW2 (later ones were halfass isolated with a cap) "hot chassis" transformerless tube radios I've never seen or heard of anything like that. People would be dying left and right with how many reversed polarity outlets are out there.
I have no idea how Australian electrical systems are wired. In the USA we used to have neutral grounding on some appliances where the neutral was tied to the case. When that was made illegal you should have seen the wild 4 prong plug wiring the appliance companies did. There were many that had the frame wired to a hot leg.
In reply to pjbgravely:
You're talking about big 240 volt 3 wire stuff then, like dryers, water heaters, stoves, well pumps, welders, etc.? That I can believe, what with the neutral rarely being used as such in those cases. But to my understanding solid state home theater gear, toasters, etc. were never wired like that, anywhere in the world. A lot of countries in Europe don't even have polarized outlets.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC_power_plugs_and_sockets#Comparison_of_standard_types
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