As I have said before I am moving to NZ this fall.
I need to know if my desktop computer and laptop from Canada will be compatible with NZ power.
Canada’s (same as US), power ratings are usually 0.3 amperes for 110/120 volt, 60 cycle. I would just like to know if the computers will be able to work in NZ, if need be using a converter on the outlet (perhaps pick one up in NZ)?
You will need local power cords as they have different plugs.
Also check the spec on your monitor if it is a CRT, the magnentic fields are different in the southern hemisphere and monitors are not always compatible.
The specs for your PC power supply say that it has a 110/240 V switch, so just make sure that you flip that over before plugging in. If you can send me a picture of the laptop power pack and its ac connection I will hunt out an NZ cord for you. We have lots of the things laying about here, so if its one of the common sizes/shapes I should be able to help.
Same with the PC - I suspect it is the standard ‘jug cord’ as we often call it. Again I have hundreds and will be happy to post them to you.
Here is a link to the power supply in the desktop,
http://www.antec.com/specs/true480_spe.html
Sorry Brian I have to disagree. The link above says “desktop”, and quite clearly states that there is a 110/240 switch, as is usual.
Laptop power supplies most often are auto switching so as people can travel with them.
They may require switching, altho some desktops and most lap tops are autoswitching. The power cord will need repalcing with a local cord or at least plug replacement.
I raised the matter of monitors earlier:
true, i have seen voltage switches on the back of desktops…so it might then just be the power cord…but you can get power cord adaptors…
when do you come to NZ?
The desktop computer does have a switch on the back for 230, and I am getting the impression the laptop power supply also has an auto switch in it. I think the plugs might be different at the end, is all (the part that plugs into the wall ). The spec’s for both PS in question seem to fall within the required voltages and Hz. I plan on buying a monitor in NZ, ship’n my 21" would cost a lot!
Also check the spec on your monitor if it is a CRT, the magnentic fields are different in the southern hemisphere and monitors are not always compatible.
I wouldn't suggest shipping a monitor to NZ anyway, but I'd like to challenge this statement (which seems to be all over the internet). If monitors are so sensitive to the earth's magnetic field, why wouldn't there be a problem just rotating one, either horizontally or vertically? Surely the biggest change the monitor could see, 180 degree change in field, would be between facing North and facing South in the same location?
If monitors are so sensitive to the earth's magnetic field, why wouldn't there be a problem just rotating one, either horizontally or vertically?
In fact at times this does cause problems. Inside a crt is an extremely fine metal mesh that the cathode ray beams pass through to hit the phosphor. If you look really closely at a crt its this metal screen that makes the groups of dots or slots (in a tv tube anyway). As a TV tech back in the 80’s a lot of my time was spent going to peoples houses after they had shifted the TV from around the room or after it was first installed to degauss it. There is normally an automatic system that does this, but if the change of the earths magnetic field had been big enough then we would have to wave the ‘wand’ around it to straighten things out.
Another classic was putting the stereo speakers each side of the TV and wondering why the big blothces of color appeared on the screen.
Its not a problem I see a lot these days, and given the size of an average PC monitor I wouldn’t have expected it to be too much of an issue. Most monitors have the manual degauss function if needed.
I’ve been in the PC industry for longer than I care to remember. A while ago when there was a shortage of monitors in europe one dealer bought a container load from Australia only to find that he had numerous customner complaints about the quality of the image. I know from specs that I have seen that some of the major manufacturers make three versions of their larger monitors - northern central or tropical and southern hemisphere
I’ve never heard of this monitor problem, due to moving them around :?
I moved a couple of monitors and a TV 3900K across the country and they didnt show an signs of it. Im not a scientist though, but I always thought the magnetic field could be affected by the metal (ie. iron ore?) content in the soil in the area? Or even the static charge that can build up on a electronic device, can have an effect on a dislply unit?
As for the major manufacturers make three versions of their larger monitors - northern central or tropical and southern hemisphere. Couldn’t that be due to the different climates and humidity levels these areas would have? And the components inside are treated with anti-corrosive material. Or even something as simple as the plugs they might have, so they are ship’d to the appropriate area.
Now as for the “A while ago when there was a shortage of monitors in europe one dealer bought a container load from Australia only to find that he had numerous customer complaints about the quality of the image”. Those monitors could have been refurbished? or maybe a cheap brand? maybe even used? or maybe they were indeed affected by a change in magnetic.
This is just a hypothesis on my part. But the other answers I can see as being true to the fact.
I agree that degaussing the shadow mask is essential, most monitors will do that automatically when they turn on. One of my monitors (Hitachi superscan) practically jumps off the desk when it’s turned on, and yes, if you move it after it has degaussed, it is sometimes necessary to pop the button to do it again.
I've been in the PC industry for longer than I care to remember. A while ago when there was a shortage of monitors in europe one dealer bought a container load from Australia only to find that he had numerous customner complaints about the quality of the image. I know from specs that I have seen that some of the major manufacturers make three versions of their larger monitors - northern central or tropical and southern hemisphere
Apart from anecdotal evidence can you explain why rotating a monitor 180 degrees, either horizontally or vertically, which reverses the effect of the local magnetic field doesn't result in lousy image quality?
). The spec’s for both PS in question seem to fall within the required voltages and Hz. I plan on buying a monitor in NZ, ship’n my 21" would cost a lot!