4 ms·
While it's true, the US does supply 120V±5%, appliances and equipment are operable on a much wider range. For example, my laptop charger is rated for 100-240V,
by ezfe 3y ago
While it's true, the US does supply 120V±5%, appliances and equipment are operable on a much wider range.
For example, my laptop charger is rated for 100-240V, which is not uncommon.
- p1mrx 3y ago120V-5% is still greater than 110V. Power supplies are rated for 100V because that's the voltage in Japan. Though the tolerance would probably be useful for running a really long US extension cord.
- MichaelZuo 3y agoTechnically they function fine as low as 95V for the worst case scenario, if they're well built.
- Moru 3y agoMy old computer started burning in some internal cabling about 30 years ago. Turns out our power wasn't 230 V when the power company came and set up a machine to make a graph. Some times of the day it could be much lower and that made my ancient atari converted to a towerbox to burn the cable to the harddrive on booting.
- Kirby64 3y agoNothing to do with well built usually, just designed to work in all regions (specifically, Japan, which has 100V power for because of... reasons).
- analog31 3y agoThat's a fairly recent development, mainly limited to switchmode power supplies.
- version_five 3y agoLaptops and other electronics are often the same between North America and europe, just with a different plug, thus the wide tolerance. For anything with a motor or coil this probably won't work
- doikor 3y agoThe 100V low end is there due to Japan.
- chociej 3y ago100-240V 50-60Hz switching supplies are common "worldwide" or "universal" adapters, definitely not an indication of service voltage standard here.