Transformer help please -- AC Mains transformers of different input voltages

[Kerso1991]

Hiya
Does anyone know if there's any safety or performance issues with going about the input voltage of a transformer? The spec on maplin says on just about every step down transformer that the input is (x)v-230v. As I live in the uk, mains voltages are 240v a.c. Not sure about what to do

 

[Jony130]

For sure you can use 230V transformer, and nothing bad will happen. But you should never try to connect a 120V transformer into 240V mains.

 

[zoki85]

Hiya
Does anyone know if there's any safety or performance issues with going about the input voltage of a transformer? The spec on maplin says on just about every step down transformer that the input is (x)v-230v. As I live in the uk, mains voltages are 240v a.c. Not sure about what to do

Will work fine. That's within 5% of a rated voltage. BTW if you measure mains voltage during a day, it rarely reaches claimed 240 V rms. I also live in Europe, in area where official mains voltage is 230 V. At home I measure between 220 and 225 V.

 

[berkeman]

What's a maplin?

 

[jim hardy]

Make sure it's rated for that voltage at your line frequency.
Are you 50 hz over there ? .
We're 60 hz here and nominal voltage is 240. We measure 252 volts at my friend's house on days when utility load is light.

At 50 hz , transformer iron carries 20% more magnetic flux than for same voltage at 60 hz.
Its hum will be noticeably louder if it's in trouble...
It'd be just my luck to get a transformer made for 60 hz only.

 

[sophiecentaur]

What's a maplin?

Haha
1. It's nerdy young man who works in a shop and knows the spec of every bit of electronic kit they have for sale.
2. It's a UK chain of shops / internet order company.

 

[zoki85]

Jim, it is 50 Hz in UK . At least, it was that last time I was there ;)

 

[sophiecentaur]

Jim, it is 50 Hz in UK . At least, it was that last time I was there ;)

Oil lamps and candles mostly, over here, actually.