Moving from 220v to 110v

[lowep]

Hello,
I've just arrived in Mexico that has a 127 volt power supply (almost same as USA) from 230v EU and am trying to figure out if it is ok to plug my 230 v power strips (with inbuilt fuse) in to the 127v power supply and use them as I would with 230v power supply?
I know it doesn't work the other way but I thought maybe "down-sizing" the power supply may not be a problem?
I want to use the 230v power strips to connect my phone, computer and camera battery chargers that all take 100-220volts that should not be any problem once I get them all connected. That's why I want to use my 230v power strip. What would you do?
Thanks, Peter

 

[oczdude8]

what do you mean by power strips?

and if it has a fuse, it will likely not work, since under a lower voltage, you draw more current to provide the same power (power = voltage * current); this will blow the fuse prematurely.
(this is only if its just a simple fuse connection)

 

[lowep]

What I mean by power strip is a plug that connects to a wall socket that is connected to a cable that is connected to a box that has several sockets on it, so you can simultaneously connect several different devices (laptop, camera, phone charger etc) to the same wall socket, something like this:

I=-------------( : - :- :- :- o )

 

[makkem]

Hi
providing every thing you plug into it will work at that voltage then it should work fine.
However as oczdude8 says you will only be able to plug in equipment with half the wattage that you could before.
If 13 amp then that is about 3000 watt so with the lower voltage your maximum wattage would be 1500.
Also if it has an indicator light then this may light up but the power strip will still work ok.

 

[oczdude8]

What I mean by power strip is a plug that connects to a wall socket that is connected to a cable that is connected to a box that has several sockets on it, so you can simultaneously connect several different devices (laptop, camera, phone charger etc) to the same wall socket, something like this:

I=-------------( : - :- :- :- o )

ah yes, ok. It will work, since 220v fuses work with 110v but I wouldn't put too much load on it because of what I mentioned before. im sure it will be fine with a phone and a computer connected. Just don't plug it into a toaster or microwave or something.

 

[lowep]

thanks 🙂

 

[lowep]

So far my 220v power strips are working fine running a variety of small appliances like battery chargers, external hard drives etc. without burning down the house yet that is a relief... so I am getting more ambitious and would like to ask what happens if I plug a 220v lamp with a dimmer into a 110v power supply?

As far as I can figure out a lamp is not a very complicated piece of equipment - just a wire with a plug where the light goes in - so would I be right to expect that it will work the same on 110v as 220volts just with weaker light as it gets less power? Or are light bulbs and light fittings designed specifically for one type of power in this case 220v and not likely to work or be dangerous to connect to 110v power supply.

I thought rather than call the mexican fire brigade to be present when I plug in the light it may be better to ask you guys first 🙂

 

[makkem]

Hi
that depends on the bulb,if it is an incandescent (ie a normal bulb) then it will work but will be dim.If it is CFL(flourescent) or LED then it may or may not work depending on the design of the electronic driver circuitry.Also the dimmer switch may or may not operate depending on the design.
All I can say is that it should be safe to try as you will either get a dim light or non at all .

 

[lowep]

thanks for this clear and useful reply 🙂