U.S. desktop in U.K.

ok so I know to switch the voltages on the back of my computer from 115v to 240v, but will a power cord bought in the u.k. plug into my desktop? and what about using a u.k. monitor with a u.s. computer? on the HP site it says i can use an adaptor but a power cord is better.  so if an adaptor is just fine which adaptors are cheap but still good?

Paul will chime in here.. but we just got a UK power cord.  I went to the little computer store in our village and they sold me one for £2.  Problem solved.  For our laptop, we went to apple to get the cord.

Paul will chime in here.. but we just got a UK power cord.  I went to the little computer store in our village and they sold me one for £2.  Problem solved.  For our laptop, we went to apple to get the cord.

ok awesome thanks! guess it's pretty easy then huh?

Hi there,

Yep, Once you buy yourself a UK PC power cord, set the voltage switch to 240 you can connect it all up and switch on. Those power leads you can get for a few pounds off ebay. In the shops they are quite a bit more costly.

A UK monitor should already have the UK power plug so that will just plug into the socket on the wall, and the other lead will connect to the monitor output of the PC.

I think you are getting confused on the HP website which tells you to use an adaptor (for power) if you're taking a US monitor! - seeing as you'll have a UK monitor here anyway, it's redundant for you.

Hope this helps!

Cheers! DtM! West London!

Paul will chime in here..

Nothing much to add really.   

Just get a U.K. power cord (which has the same IEC connector for the computer end as a U.S. cord), flick the switch on the desktop computer to 240V, and away you go. 

I think the adapter the HP site is refering to is not a converter to change the voltage but a simple plug adapter, i.e. to allow you to plug the existing U.S. cord into a U.K. outlet, but still with the need to set the system to 240V.    I'd agree with the advice given, that simply replacing with a U.K. cord is a better option.

Nothing much to add really.   

Just get a U.K. power cord (which has the same IEC connector for the computer end as a U.S. cord), flick the switch on the desktop computer to 240V, and away you go. 

I think the adapter the HP site is refering to is not a converter to change the voltage but a simple plug adapter, i.e. to allow you to plug the existing U.S. cord into a U.K. outlet, but still with the need to set the system to 240V.    I'd agree with the advice given, that simply replacing with a U.K. cord is a better option.

alright thanks a lot everyone.  i have another question! i read in my BUNAC handbook that a lot of flats in london don't have landlines and so you can't get broadband. is that true??  because i need my internet and preferably in my own place and not only in internet cafes. thanks!

i read in my BUNAC handbook that a lot of flats in london don't have landlines and so you can't get broadband. is that true?? 

Even if the place you move into doesn't have a phone line, you should be able to get one installed.  There'll probably be an installation charge, unless you get service from one of the alternate providers as part of a package deal (e.g. subscribe to telephone & cable TV for a year and installation is free).

I'm a bit confused about how I need to plug in my US computer parts into the power supply - I have a Dell desktop, flatscreen monitor, and a printer.  They all have the three prong plug style.  As a test, I plugged my powerstrip through my adaptor into the wall socket and...  shorted out all the outlets on the floor.

Do I simply get a new power strip in the UK?  Do I then need new adaptors for each of the above (monitor, etc.)?  But how can I maintain a useable power level without shorting out the bits?

Thanks.

As a test, I plugged my powerstrip through my adaptor into the wall socket and...  shorted out all the outlets on the floor.

Some power strips have integral filters and/or surge suppressors which have to be designed for the appropriate 120 or 240V supply.   Plug such a strip designed for 120V into 240V and the result will be blown fuses at best, burned out filter components at worst.

Are you certain that all the computer peripherals will run directly on 240V?     (Check all the labels on the power units -- Many peripherals which come with an external supply will be 120V only.)   If so, then you could plug them straight into a U.K. power strip, but a half dozen or more adapters will soon add up.  If you don't think you'll want to return the devices to the U.S., it's cheaper (and much more reliable) to cut off the American plugs and fit British ones in their place. 

If you have some devices which need 120V, then the most efficient way is to use one transformer large enough to feed them all, using a U.S. power strip plugged into that transformer if necessary.

Some power strips have integral filters and/or surge suppressors which have to be designed for the appropriate 120 or 240V supply.   Plug such a strip designed for 120V into 240V and the result will be blown fuses at best, burned out filter components at worst.

All computer parts are dual voltage, so I don't need to convert any of the voltage.  The question would seem to be whether I want to physically change the plugs.  The tower itself is several years old and while the monitor is nice, it's nothing we'd kill ourselves to bring back to the US.  And, as we're here for two years, by that time it may be an issue of getting a new system, anyway, or get a laptop to go with my wife's.  In the meantime, since there are only three plugs (CPU, monitor, printer), then I might consider a power strip with adaptors, but that's a bit of money.  I'll go through your Baedekker above to look into changing plugs.

Thanks.  Your help is amazing.

The power cord for the main unit will be a regular IEC connector at the computer end, so you could simply replace it with a U.K. equivalent if you wish.   You might be able to do the same with the monitor and printer cords if they are detachable and you can locate a U.K. equivalent.

If you do decide to change any plugs though, it's an easy job, and the plugs sold here normally come with a little card over the prongs which show you how to connect them.   Be aware that the color coding on the wires inside an American power cord is different though, so you'd need to "translate" the colors, thus:

Code: [Select]

FUNCTION                 BRITISH           AMERICAN
"L"  (Live/Line)         Brown              Black
"N"  (Neutral)           Blue               White
"E"  (Earth/Ground)     Green/yellow        Green