[sdiy] Mains Voltage Selector Switches & Fusing

[Richard Gorbutt]

Some have the fuseholder and voltage selector built into one unit - fuse one way up for 240, the other for 110. but you still have to swap the fuse for a different value. Manufacturers get round it with a printed warning on the back of the unit along with all the other safety warnings- 'use correct value fuse for voltage' etc. most people don't read them anyway. Is especially dodgy going from us to uk voltages and keeping the high value fuse in. I get regular repair work from people who don't read the small print, or change the fuse but not the voltage, or simply use a plug adaptor without changing anything at all. Its not too bad with smpsu wall warts, but plays merry hell with say, a hammond and leslie. Bang/flames/sadface. Doh.



-----Original Message-----
From: synth-diy-bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl [mailto:synth-diy-bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl] On Behalf Of Tom Bugs
Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2011 4:13 PM
To: Synth-DIY DIY
Subject: [sdiy] Mains Voltage Selector Switches & Fusing


Hi all,

Voltage Selector Switches - you know the things - they allow you to
switch a machine from (typically) 115 to 230 V AC operation. Having looked a bit into this, I presume they all do it the same sort of
way -> two primaries are either wired in series (230V) or parallel (115V)

The question I have is what about the fuse?
Basing on the common Power-One HAA15-0.8: - these require a 375mA fuse
for 230V operation or a 750mA fuse for 115V operation.
I've never heard of people having to swap fuses on 'pro' gear when
switching mains voltage -- do you think they are just using the higher
ampage fuse? That would seem dangerous for 230V operation then.. Or
should people really be changing the fuse when switching that switch?

Puzzledly yours, with thanks in advance
Tom


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