Help with power supply one for the sparkies

[traveller]

I bought my c8 from the US, so it came with US style plug, two flanges parallel. I have two questions which the sparkies out there may be able to help.
1. The power cord to the transformer has a label on it which reads "10a, 125v". Will I have any problems if I plug it into a 240v power outlet? The transformer says 100-240v, 50/60Hz, 800mA. My guess is not, but never hurts to ask.
2. One of the two flanges has a flared end, which makes it slightly wider/taller than the other flange (still the same thickness and length). Is this the active side? Can I bend the flanges to suit the v configuration of Aust power outlets or should I get an adapter? If adapter, does it matter if the flared flange goes in one way or the other?
Thanks !

[frolinmod]

It will not be a problem.


The wide blade is the neutral. The narrow blade is the hot.


Please use an adapter.


The adapter should take care of this for you.

[Barrykgerdes]

The power supplies on these are universal 100-250v 50-60 hz. However the leads are supplied for the power system of the destined country. Any item of this nature bought from the US will normally have the standard US type power plug like you have . An adator can be purchased from Dick Smith or Jaycar to use in the Australian standard .

You could also cut the plug off and put one of the correct type. However if you are not a licenced electrician this is strictly illegal and is not advisable.

Barry

[leon]

Your kidding surly Barry, :shrug: every body replaces plugs if they know how, if what you say is correct, then why do the places like Bunnings etc sell them in the handyman section. :shrug: been doing it plus other stuff for years.

Don't tell me we have to call in a sparkie to change a plug, at 50-60 bucks an hour

Leon :thumbsup:

[Cosmic]

Spot on Leon, because the some of adapters fall out easy when bumped. Extremely easy to add a AUS plug in place of the US connection, I find it more peace of mind to have it all uniform.

[Barrykgerdes]

Hi Leon
Because I gave an instruction on modifying a power cord I had to put that proviso in so he could not sue me for telling him to change the plug. Of course I know what will happen but I did not tell him to do it.

Kinetic is quite correct

Barry

[leon]

Fair enough Barry, ;) but isn't it about time we took responsibility for what we do, and stop suing/blaming everyone else for the stuff ups that we cause ourselves.:sadeyes:

If i change a plug and end up blowing the fuse box, :eyepop: well that is my problem, if i didn't know how to do it then i should have left it alone

Leon :thumbsup:

[Barrykgerdes]

Yes Leon
The number of bad guys who will do anything to get your money, goods, name etc are increasing every day. You must be vary wary now and always watch your back.

These days everything that goes wrong is a "SEP" no one (except us oldies) even thinks of taking resposibility for their actions.

By the way if you think you can get a sparkie for $50-$60 an hour he is probably unlicenced. In 20 years time sparkies will earn more than doctors, lawyers and even pollies. I tell all my young hopefuls to forget the UNI. Get an apprenticeship as a sparkie or plumber you will always have employment and earn more than a PHD.


Barry

[traveller]

Thanks everyone. I have a couple of spare adapters around, so I can just hook one up. Re changing plug, I actually learnt that in high school tech studies class. Provided you get the wires hooked up right, you don't really need a licensed electrician to do it (more like $150 just for the call out fee). The wires are colour coded and the plugs have the polarities printed on them, so its not that hard.
Gee how times have changed...
PS: we call out licensed electricians to change light bulbs at work, yes, just one electrician. ;)

[AndrewJ]

And if you are in Victoria, the nanny state,
dont forget your certificate of electrical safety.
http://www.esv.vic.gov.au/Electricity-Professionals/Certificates-Of-Electrical-Safety-COES

I remember almost choking on my weeties when it was being discussed on the radio, and the person being questioned responded that
"yes, if you want to remove a powerpoint from a wall or skirting board to paint behind it, you need a sparky and a certificate.
Just another bureaucracy gone mad with power(sic).

Andrew

[mswhin63]

It all boils down to can you do the job good enough without being caught.

In most nearly all cases getting caught is a result of someone being electrocuted (not necessarily yourself) or fire caused by a connection not tightened properly or accidently nicking the insulation. If you feel confident enough the final decision is for the individual.

An example of safety and law suit is the ex policeman in WA that started the Roleystone fires and burn't down 71 houses. He may have been acquitted of starting the fire during a fire ban (wrongly implemented (another example)) but may have to possibly fork out millions on damages. The example is about responsibility.

[AndrewJ]

Gday Steve

My beef isnt with the tradies (other than the prices), it's the govt.
For people who are happy and feel capable to do a simple job,
they should be allowed to, and if they stuff up,
by all means charge them
These blanket bans are only put in place so the govt doesnt have to think or prove anything. If you did it and didnt have "a qualification",
irrespective of if you did it to the specs and safely, you are guilty.
With the modern penchant to keep records on anything and everything,
getting caught is getting simpler.
Ie to get a building permit, you need an electrical plan.
If someone inspects later and there are differences between plan and reality, and no certificates, you are guilty.
Hell, i cant even legally replace a rusted downspout anymore.
Its a bureaucracy gone mad with power(sic),
and its no wonder stuff ends up costing so much these days.

Andrew

[traveller]

Seems like I stirred a bit of hornets nest...
Andrew, I agree with you. No probes with tradies charging, they have high overheads like insurance, fuel, super, accountants fees etc, but the Govt seems to want a cut at every step.
As for my original problem, I will convert one of the leads (I was given two leads from power point to transformer by the seller) into a three pin plug $2.33 from bunnings. The other I will keep as is.
Yes, I will void any warranty, house insurance, life insurance etc, but there are no laws against stupidity :P (and never underestimate the brilliance of fools in fool-proof systems...)
Might even post some photos when done.
Bo

[mswhin63]

The main reason for guidelines, licencing is that usually the government picks up a non recoverable health costs associated with DIY activities.

Double standard are rife: We complain about compliance but we also complain about the government not protecting people. Damn if you do damned if you don't.

I wouldn't be surprised that most people here including myself could carry out the work but in my case would rather work on a low voltage solution as a viable alternative. I can get licensed myself but do not elect to as yet.

[AndrewJ]

Gday Bo
No hornets nest
( hornets arent allowed without a permit )

Andrew

[AndrewJ]

Gday Malcolm


So why doesnt the govt ban smoking and drinking?????????
Far more non recoverable costs are incurred from this
than home handymen doing a few cabling or plumbing jobs,
but the govt would lose a huge income if they tried to ban
them, whereas banning electrical/plumbing work loses them nothing.

I dont know how true it is ( and i havent yet found any authoritative
data ) but the last data i could find on electrocutions
showed nearly all were "professional tradesmen" or people
electrocuted as a result of "accidental" tapping into power lines
ie when fitting shower rails etc.
I still reckon people should be allowed to do work
but be made responsible for it.
But thats too hard for the poor pollies to deal with.

Andrew

[traveller]

And pest controllers need to be fully licensed and accredited by Govt. :)
30 mins with basic hand tools, all done, working fine with my new 3 pin plug. Tested it with a multimeter with the original power lead as control. Even got my wires and polarity right. :eyepop:
Now if you excuse me, I just need to find out what that funny burning smell is :P
Bo

[mswhin63]

I would love that too. and so does a lot of others but I think it is obvious the reason. Think of Prohibition days.

[erick]

And don't I know it :sadeyes:

Dr Eric

[Barrykgerdes]

This was covered in the "Yes prime minister" . The government makes too much out of the taxes!

Barry

[Barrykgerdes]

A lot of this red tape goes back to the eary days of quality control in government enterprises. Some bureaucrats needed more control so they started QA sections in the enterprises. We as workers would not put good technicians into the sections so we transfered all the dregs.

These "dregs" did not know much so we created check lists for them called "procedures guides". This meant that they had to know even less. No more than how to tick a box.

The idea pleased the department heads because it meant they also had to do less work (more time for socialising etc.). The situation has escalated to the stage where everything can be pronounced complete as long as all the boxes are ticked. This also lead to the creation of a couple of extra levels of bureaucracy to absorb the useless members of society.

That's my story and I will stick to it!:lol::thumbsup::rofl::shrug:

Barry

[DavidTrap]

Yes Minister - first reality TV show!

DT

[frolinmod]

We're humans, not machines. There is no such thing as a "useless member of society." Even the people you look down on because you were lucky and they were not. Your particular situation is likely no more than a lucky accident of birth (genetics, etc). Otherwise you could just as easily be one of "them." Please don't ever lose your humanity. It's all you have that is worth anything in the end.

(Sorry, I had a bad day today.)

[Barrykgerdes]

Obviously you live in a society that doesn't have a multi level bureaucracy. :lol::lol::lol:

Barry

[traveller]

And lets not forget the excellent Australian sequel, the Hollowmen! Having worked with Canberra beaureacrats for almost a decade, it's just like Groundhog day...:D