Heath product with 120/240 slide switch instead of diff. wiring

[Neil Morrison]

Actually switched equipment is common in the rest of the world. Most
equipment for the US is not, because it is made to the lowest price.
Even at the right voltage, feeding 50 cycle power into 60 cycle
equipment will smoke it, as there is not enough iron in the
transformers.

Many European market items used to come with a multi position voltage
selector. I have an Austrian movie projector that can switch from
100-117-127-160-200-220-230-240-250. Switch mode power supplies have
done away with most of this.

Regards,

Neil



----- Original Message -----
From: "Marshall" <mmdues at HAL-PC.ORG>


> Hello, Murray and Group,
>
> The reason you don't see equipment switched for 120/240 volts is
> two-fold:
>         1. 120 volt line cord plugs are different from 240 volt
plugs.
>            Look at your toaster, and then your electric clothes
dryer!
>
>         2. If this switch was set for 240 volts and assuming you
could
>            plug it into 120 volts, the secondary voltage would only
be
>            one half of what it was when selected for 240 volts,
BUT...
>            if the switch was set for 120 volts and you were able to
>            plug it into 240 volts, the secondary winding would be
TWICE
>            as much, and that would absolutely ruin your day.
>
> Marshall M. Dues - WB5MYO
> Katy, Texas

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