UK & Canadian electric plug query. Help ?
Nov 29th 2009, 11:34 am
#31
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Looe, Cornwall
Posts: 674
Re: UK & Canadian electric plug query. Help ?
No. The breakdown voltage of dry air at STP is about 33kV/cm. So, at 240V you might get a spark about 0.08 mm long on plugging something turned on in. At 120V, it'd be half as long.
When unplugging a turned on device, surface imperfections on the contacts could cause a discharge (more likely to happen at 240V than 120V and independent of the current draw, i.e. independent of load at constant V), and this discharge, once established, could extend to larger scale lengths due to ionization of air providing a reduced resistance pathway once the spark is established.
When unplugging a turned on device, surface imperfections on the contacts could cause a discharge (more likely to happen at 240V than 120V and independent of the current draw, i.e. independent of load at constant V), and this discharge, once established, could extend to larger scale lengths due to ionization of air providing a reduced resistance pathway once the spark is established.
Dont forget if you use a voltage convertor it still draws current (Power) when it is switched on with nothing connected to it e.g. a 1000 watt voltage converter will use about 20 watts assuming an efficiency of 98% no load if you leave it energised.
Nov 29th 2009, 11:39 am
#32
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: UK & Canadian electric plug query. Help ?
Perhaps you could explain to everyone the theory of current chopping, re-strike voltages, switching inductive loads, surge currents and back emf's - all can lead to sparking? The sparks we get when we switch in my business are common and usually about 10 ft in length! Electrical faults causing fires are more common in Canada (I2R heating effects) due to the increase current loading over a 240v system.
Dont forget if you use a voltage convertor it still draws current (Power) when it is switched on with nothing connected to it e.g. a 1000 watt voltage converter will use about 20 watts assuming an efficiency of 98% no load if you leave it energised.
Dont forget if you use a voltage convertor it still draws current (Power) when it is switched on with nothing connected to it e.g. a 1000 watt voltage converter will use about 20 watts assuming an efficiency of 98% no load if you leave it energised.
Edit: By 12R, you meant I squared R? But what's that got to do with sparking? Fires, yes, but sparking?
Last edited by Novocastrian; Nov 29th 2009 at 11:53 am.
Nov 29th 2009, 11:50 am
#33
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,227
Re: UK & Canadian electric plug query. Help ?
Edit: Saddo that I am, I just tried with a 1.5V aa battery, and got sparks (and a hot battery
).(sparking and arcing are not necessarily the same anyway, a spark can just be something burning rather than true ionisation)
Last edited by Alan2005; Nov 29th 2009 at 11:59 am.
Nov 29th 2009, 12:04 pm
#34
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: UK & Canadian electric plug query. Help ?
Get a PP3 9V battery and short it with tin foil - you'll see sparks.
Edit: Saddo that I am, I just tried with a 1.5V aa battery, and got sparks (and a hot battery).
(sparking and arcing are not necessarily the same anyway, a spark can just be something burning rather than true ionisation)
Edit: Saddo that I am, I just tried with a 1.5V aa battery, and got sparks (and a hot battery
).(sparking and arcing are not necessarily the same anyway, a spark can just be something burning rather than true ionisation)
Nov 29th 2009, 12:11 pm
#35
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,227
Re: UK & Canadian electric plug query. Help ?
Dec 1st 2009, 9:31 am
#36
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Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Looe, Cornwall
Posts: 674
Re: UK & Canadian electric plug query. Help ?
The discussion originated with someone claiming that "disconcerting sparks" are more common on 120 VAC mains than on 240 VAC mains. I think you'd agree that current chopping, re-strike voltages, switching inductive loads, surge currents and back emf's have little to do with that topic?
Edit: By 12R, you meant I squared R? But what's that got to do with sparking? Fires, yes, but sparking?
Edit: By 12R, you meant I squared R? But what's that got to do with sparking? Fires, yes, but sparking?
Dec 1st 2009, 2:23 pm
#42
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Joined: Nov 2009
Location: Vegreville, AB
Posts: 611
Re: UK & Canadian electric plug query. Help ?
Given the prices in Canada for electronics compared to the UK bring the box (buy a new power lead over here and buy a new monitor/printer).
When I moved I sold off all my electronic stuff and bought new when I got here.
Christ, you can get DVD players (capable of playing UK DVDs) here for the equivalent of 17 notes.
When I moved I sold off all my electronic stuff and bought new when I got here.
Christ, you can get DVD players (capable of playing UK DVDs) here for the equivalent of 17 notes.
Dec 2nd 2009, 7:26 am
#43
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Living in Hammonds Plains NS since March 2008
Posts: 129
Re: UK & Canadian electric plug query. Help ?
For the computer gear get new leads its easier if you bought the computer in the last 5 years it should all be 110V compatible, but the label on the back will tell you for sure. For the guitar amp I run my UK bought Amp through a transformer and it works a treat, as the transformer was purchased here it conforms with insurance requirements, there are multiple links throughout these forums and can be bought from 25W to 10 KW whatever your need, I bought 5 200W for general appliances, a 500W for my Amp And a 1000W for my UK TV. All work like a charm and the whole lot cost under $250.
Dec 5th 2009, 1:45 am
#44
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2009
Location: Atlantic Canada
Posts: 10
Re: UK & Canadian electric plug query. Help ?
Sorry if this sounds a bit ignorant. Can someone answer this query ?
I have a UK PC, screen and other peripherals which should hopefully work in Canada as the PC guy in the UK say's there should be a switch on the back of the PC to convert from 240v to 110v.
However, would it be possible to plug all my electrical devices (all mains cables with 3 pin UK plug ends) into a UK 4-way mains block (as I did in the UK), then plug that into the Canadian mains socket using a mains plug converter (an adapter which changes a UK 3 pin plug into a 2 pin Canadian mains plug ?
Will the PC and other devices work ok ?
Thanks in anticipation to all answers.
I have a UK PC, screen and other peripherals which should hopefully work in Canada as the PC guy in the UK say's there should be a switch on the back of the PC to convert from 240v to 110v.
However, would it be possible to plug all my electrical devices (all mains cables with 3 pin UK plug ends) into a UK 4-way mains block (as I did in the UK), then plug that into the Canadian mains socket using a mains plug converter (an adapter which changes a UK 3 pin plug into a 2 pin Canadian mains plug ?
Will the PC and other devices work ok ?
Thanks in anticipation to all answers.
Dec 7th 2009, 12:46 am
#45
ModerĪ±tor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,771
Re: UK & Canadian electric plug query. Help ?
Most Canadian homes are supplied with 240V which is split into 2 110V curciuts in the fuse box. most homes also have big ugly 240V sockets for the cooker and washer/dryer . I wired in a UK 4 way extension lead up to my computer and peripherals and it all works just fine. wish I'd known that before I moved here as I would have brought my DVD player and stereo gear with me too . I know electronics are cheaper here but the stuff you already own is cheaper still.
