Electric Supply Pins Plugs Adapter etc explained

Funnily enough you don't actually need a surge protector for things like laptops, cell phones, etc - since these already tend to come with their own step down transformers (since they only need a small amount of power to operate or charge - the transformer reduces the amount of current going int - which also prevents charge from going directly into the device itself - including surges and spikes). With major appliances like TVs and washing machines, etc - there is no such thing - charge goes directly in (and hence they are vulnerable to surges and spikes).

I'd still recommend a surge protector for that stuff, or voltage regulator. The voltage range may be much higher than the equipment is designed for...

true...you can never have too much protection (and it helps to protect your transformers as they can be difficult to replace). If it becomes hot to touch - unplug it and give it a rest (if its slightly warm then that's perfectly normal).

Given that electronics these days with their own power packs are manufactured for both the US and European markets - the transformers will usually accept an input voltage ranging from 110v to 250Volts. If you house supply is varying wildly within that range you'll have bigger problems to worry about as opposed to an over heating step down transformer (like.....exploding light bulbs, melted points, wiring catching fire, etc..)

me!

ok... i've been reading through the all post... and shame on me ... the only thing i think i got clear is that the current volts (220-240) in Holland and in India is the same.
Ok... good point there.
For the rest, i'm still a bit confused, i mean.. i'll bring with me my digital camera, my mobile & maybe was thinking to get one of those portable DVD players...
What do i exCatly need? surge protector?!? sockets convertors?! *sorry!* cause even if i daily use computer equipment & such other tech devices.. still all this electronic talk sounds a bit like finnish to me - just one of the many languages i do not understand...

lil' pls...

I know what you mean about finnish. I took swedish for a while, and one day our instructor showed us finnish as an example of a language that is really hard. OMG...there was a word that was the name of a bird and it took up half a line in a book!

Anyway in answer to your questions - yes, and yes. You'll most likely need a socket converter of some type (not sure what sort of pin setup you have at home) - plus some sort of protector (for those pieces of equipment that don't have their own power pack/ step down transformer). One option is to combine the two - and for a few hundred rupee buy a power block at one of the markets once you arrive. We've got a few spread throughout the house here in Delhi for our antipodean appliance (three pin plug with two on an angle) - and found in the market here an indian made power block with inbuilt surge protector. Takes up to three appliances - and the sockets are universal (will take 3 pin, 2 pin, round pins, square, etc - you name it).

I have a strange problem. I bought a 500W transformer to power my desktop computer, LCD monitor, printer and wireless router. Anyway, when I touch anything that's conductive on these devices I get a slow electric shock, kind of like a burn. Does anyone know why this is happening? Could it be some kind of grounding issue?

Help! It really makes using my computer impossible.

Hm. What do you understand to be a "slow" electric shock, "kind of like a burn"? Please expound.

This may sound funny but some people appear to attract electric charges more easily, it presumably has to do with the way you yourself are charged. Never heard of it on a small system like this though. More mundanely, grounding would obviously be the first thing to look into. You'd think it would blow up your system if it were seriously askew though.

I'm not much of an electronics man, but I've worked with lighting. Hopefully BrownBoy or one of them geeks will know more. I'm curious to know why the transformer would have made the change -- I take it you didn't have this problem before? I'd look into is it grounded well, and is it well and safely connected to the rest of your gear (although again I'd expect the latter to blow up/burn out if it weren't, or your fuses in any case).

Working in either a very moist or a very dry environment could well be of influence, is either the case?

It could be just one of those devices is leaking, which wouldn't explain why they all get charged as you describe though. Stuff like this is usually a process of elimination in any case. You could try using a voltmeter to pinpoint the problem area.

to borrow a line from a tv show - "are you referring to people with technical qualifications and basic reasoning skills?"



I'm sure some of the other technically minded members might be able to help with this as well - but bottom line, your transformer is leaking! For some reason or another some residual charge is finding it easier to get home via you as opposed to the grounding in the transformer itself. Could possibly be a wiring issue either in the transformer , or the wiring in the wall socket it is connected to. Get both checked if you can.

I had a similar problem here with a power block that resulted in my server case doing the same thing (not harmful, but disturbing). Installed a UPS - plugged into a heavy duty socket and the problem is gone. I don't know enough about domestic wiring here but wonder whether or not it has something to do with the two types of sockets you get in houses here. The larger socket is meant for heavy duty appliances (so may have better/ heavier wiring). The thing about PCs/ servers/ transformers from overseas is that they can draw a heavy amount of power (I have a 650watt power supply in my server), but overseas would plug into a standard outlet equivalent to a smaller type socket here in India. As mentioned above - since installing the UPS which plugs into the heavy duty socket - the problem is gone.

It's a grounding issue, I'd say, yes.

Despite having had our house re-wired, it doesn't seem to have occurred to them to properly connect the earth wires to anything. Hence a recent short-circuit in an AC rendered everything metal in the house more than mildly live.

Come back Prince Philip: all is forgiven.

Yes, I assumed it was a grounding issue. However, when I touch the transformer there is no leakage (no shocks/burns). Would this mean that the grounding in the wall is OK (transformer plugged into wall).

When I touch any of the equipment plugged into the powerstrip connected to the transformer I get the shock/burn. I noticed that the plug receptacle on the transformer that I have my powerstrip connected to is very loose (not a tight fit at all). I adjusted the internal connectors to have a better fit, but I still get the shock when I touch my computer. Is the lack of grounding due to the powerstrip not connecting properly to the transformer?

Heheh. Them's the ones, yes

Hm yes. Reminds me of a guy here in NL who got fried as his shower grounding wasn't, well, grounded.

Better not think of it, lest we are doomed to sit very still shaking in a corner -- but never shaking too vigorously

... Thinking some more (and can someone answer Indjun's main question in post #55 above? Seemed relevant to me), am I right thinking 500W isn't exactly nothing and maybe Indjun had better steer clear from the damned thing and let someone in the know handle it?

I'm glad to see him online right now in any case

ps Indjun if you notice an iffy fit there, then sure, get this fixed first by all means. You could well have a leak and/or lack of grounding right there, and of course, if the grounding doesn't connect, well, then it's not grounded.

Again, it's a process of elimination. I'm just not sure if you should be goofing around with it yourself at 500W, I'm sorry, I'm rusty on the details and applicable formulas which I was never good at anyway. I mean how many Volts and Amperes and... oh, screw it.

Why not get your local electrician to look at it? Can't be very expensive in India, or is that not where you're at? Even in another place I'd rather have them look at it than frying myself not knowing what I'm doing. I have a healthy respect of electricity.

yep....500 watts is big. As with all electrical matters - best to get it attended to quick smart.

btw - re-reading the last post from Indjun, you can't assume that there isn't a fault with the transformer (it may simply be the case that its better insulated then your other devices).

Ok, so we made it to delhi and I'm trying to understand exactly what I need to protect my laptop. I agree that the step-down transformers would theoretically control voltage fluctuations somewhat, but also think it's likely that the transformer could easily and regularly be exposed to prolonged voltages outside its range of normal use. I see that instead of having surge protectors, many appliances have voltage correctors instead, presumably because of this. Any thoughts on what I actually need?

I'd rather not fry my laptop.

Also, anyone know how I can get internet access for my computer as a tourist?

I've looked at all the threads and spoken to several companies. None of them seem to have any sort of pre-paid access (other than for your phone broswer, which is fairly useless), and none of them are willing to set up a post-paid contract, even if I paid the whole thing upfront. Thoughts on this?