No, it's the brand new in-line-travo current alterration cable. Instead of plain wires inside the cable, it has 2:1 induction coils inside, which turn 110Volts into 220Volts (or vice versa, depending which male-female version you buy). The frequency difference from 60Hz to 50Hz is negligible in most cases.
Admittedly, my Type B connector plug to Type F ("Schuko") socket adapter isn't entirely safe: the cable is rated for 10 A max, Type F connectors are rated for 16 A. In theory. I'm pretty sure this Schuko connector would just melt if you try to draw 16 A... I'm not going to bring any device with me that would draw that much current, of course. Additionally, Schuko is symmetric: you can plug in a connector in either direction. It is not a problem here, as devices with a Schuko connector are designed accordingly. Of course, the device attached must be capable to run with the lower voltage of 120 V...
The reverse adapter (Type F plug to Type B socket) may cause severe accidents, though. Devices with a Type B plug can draw up to 20 A and may expect that ground is on a specific contact, and the insulation is rated for 120 V. Then again, you won't be able to find many of these devices that would be able to cope with 230 V anyway.
Uhh, tricky, tricky. VDE would freak out for sure :D
The cable itself should not melt down at 20A(RMS). But I wouldn't put it to a test. Anyway, it will get *pretty* warm for sure. If it's good vented, it should withstand the stress.
I don't know what kind of brande the "Schuko" socket is, but it looks like a really cheap one from a hardware store. High quality ones , like from Merten, are able to handle 16A with no problem. Even at 25A they tend to only get warm a bit. But I won't try 20A in this one. It's like russian roulet every time you use it :)
Hmm, I have a travel adapter in my suitcase that would practically allow putting 30 amps (a British ring circuit) through a flex rated for 2.5 amps (an ordinary shaver flex) unfused.
The BS1363 plug commonly has a built in fuse for 13 amps, yes. That's exactly the point though - the common European plug is unfused, therefore the fuse in the plug doesn't blow because there isn't any, and so the 30 amps of the ring could theoretically go through the Continental appliance's flex before the circuit breaker trips.
British ring circuits rely on the individual appliance's fuse going boom before the main breaker. It's a mess, really.
indeed. EF13 saw a box fan blow like a whole floor of rooms, EF14 saw an electric toothbrush toast a circuit. I at least am an electrician, and know what I am doing, so I can get away with it. I did prevent someone from smoking a hot glue gun from the americas.. He was about to plug it in, when I stated either he would turn his hot glue to steam, or blow something up :>
I was thinking about making something like that too last year, but finally I was able to have plenty of adaptator for my laptop, camera and other things as they were providing me with US and even English power cords for nearly all my stuff at work (printers and some screen). And as it's not use for my customers, I've kept them for me ^_^
Comments
doco.livejournal.com 15 years, 3 months ago
Link | Replyionotter.livejournal.com 15 years, 3 months ago
WIN
Link | Replymegadog.livejournal.com 15 years, 3 months ago
Etherkiller!
Link | Replyzefirodragon.livejournal.com 15 years, 3 months ago
Actual in-use device:
My visitors better listen when I tell them to not use the blue cables...
Link | Replyionotter.livejournal.com 15 years, 3 months ago
Either someone is just taking the piss, or they're about to earn a Darwin Award...
Link | Replymystifur.livejournal.com 15 years, 3 months ago
No, it's the brand new in-line-travo current alterration cable.
Link | ReplyInstead of plain wires inside the cable, it has 2:1 induction coils inside, which turn 110Volts into 220Volts (or vice versa, depending which male-female version you buy).
The frequency difference from 60Hz to 50Hz is negligible in most cases.
woelfisch.livejournal.com 15 years, 3 months ago
What, doco with the Etherkiller? ;-)
Admittedly, my Type B connector plug to Type F ("Schuko") socket adapter isn't entirely safe: the cable is rated for 10 A max, Type F connectors are rated for 16 A. In theory. I'm pretty sure this Schuko connector would just melt if you try to draw 16 A... I'm not going to bring any device with me that would draw that much current, of course. Additionally, Schuko is symmetric: you can plug in a connector in either direction. It is not a problem here, as devices with a Schuko connector are designed accordingly. Of course, the device attached must be capable to run with the lower voltage of 120 V...
The reverse adapter (Type F plug to Type B socket) may cause severe accidents, though. Devices with a Type B plug can draw up to 20 A and may expect that ground is on a specific contact, and the insulation is rated for 120 V. Then again, you won't be able to find many of these devices that would be able to cope with 230 V anyway.
Link | Replyriffuchs.livejournal.com 15 years, 3 months ago
Uhh, tricky, tricky. VDE would freak out for sure :D
The cable itself should not melt down at 20A(RMS). But I wouldn't put it to a test. Anyway, it will get *pretty* warm for sure. If it's good vented, it should withstand the stress.
I don't know what kind of brande the "Schuko" socket is, but it looks like a really cheap one from a hardware store. High quality ones , like from Merten, are able to handle 16A with no problem. Even at 25A they tend to only get warm a bit. But I won't try 20A in this one. It's like russian roulet every time you use it :)
Link | Replydoco.livejournal.com 15 years, 3 months ago
Hmm, I have a travel adapter in my suitcase that would practically allow putting 30 amps (a British ring circuit) through a flex rated for 2.5 amps (an ordinary shaver flex) unfused.
Now THAT is "calling for it".
Link | Replyyappyfox.livejournal.com 15 years, 3 months ago
iirc UK Ring is only 13A.
Link | Replydoco.livejournal.com 15 years, 3 months ago
The BS1363 plug commonly has a built in fuse for 13 amps, yes. That's exactly the point though - the common European plug is unfused, therefore the fuse in the plug doesn't blow because there isn't any, and so the 30 amps of the ring could theoretically go through the Continental appliance's flex before the circuit breaker trips.
British ring circuits rely on the individual appliance's fuse going boom before the main breaker. It's a mess, really.
Link | Replylynard-.livejournal.com 15 years, 3 months ago
That happens if you leave an american and an german powercable in one box for a night eh? =)
Link | Replyyappyfox.livejournal.com 15 years, 3 months ago
I made the reverse for when I went over that way :>
Link | Replyzefirodragon.livejournal.com 15 years, 3 months ago
Was this the reason the hotel was paranoid for NOT bringing any own heating equippment to the rooms? :)
Link | Replyyappyfox.livejournal.com 15 years, 3 months ago
indeed. EF13 saw a box fan blow like a whole floor of rooms, EF14 saw an electric toothbrush toast a circuit. I at least am an electrician, and know what I am doing, so I can get away with it. I did prevent someone from smoking a hot glue gun from the americas.. He was about to plug it in, when I stated either he would turn his hot glue to steam, or blow something up :>
Link | Replyaoi-the-kitsune.livejournal.com 15 years, 3 months ago
I was thinking about making something like that too last year, but finally I was able to have plenty of adaptator for my laptop, camera and other things as they were providing me with US and even English power cords for nearly all my stuff at work (printers and some screen). And as it's not use for my customers, I've kept them for me ^_^
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