N. American/European compatibility Q

[jiik]

hi...Im trying to connect...an american market cassette player (home stereo) which runs on 110V with my european
market sony home stereo amp which is powered by a step down transformer.
of course the connections are for L & R outputs but Im wondering IF it will work fine or -
is there something else that needs attention?

 

[Eppie]

hi...Im trying to connect...an american market cassette player (home stereo) which runs on 110V with my european
market sony home stereo amp which is powered by a step down transformer.
of course the connections are for L & R outputs but Im wondering IF it will work fine or -
is there something else that needs attention?

If you are connecting the line level output of the cassette deck to the line level input of the Sony (RCA to RCA) then there should not be any issues. Signal level are the same in both markets. I assume you mean step up transformer for the Sony as Europe is on 220V, or a step down transformer for the cassette if using it in Europe. I would ask @TLS Guy if there would be any potential grounding issues? Most cassette decks use a 2 pin power cord.

 

[TLS Guy]

hi...Im trying to connect...an american market cassette player (home stereo) which runs on 110V with my european
market sony home stereo amp which is powered by a step down transformer.
of course the connections are for L & R outputs but Im wondering IF it will work fine or -
is there something else that needs attention?

It is very unlikely there will be a problem here. We don't know what your deck is, but the vast majority use DC motors. I did remember that the high end Wollensack cassette decks used an AC synchronous motor to drive the capstan. That deck was widely used in higher end decks from a number of manufacturers in years gone by, but early in the cassette era.

It is possible there are others that use an AC motor, but those decks are the only ones that come to mind. So it depends on the deck, there could be others as well with AC motors.

I am proud of the fact that I could remember the Wollensack capstan motors were AC. I did check to confirm my memory had not failed me.

 

[Jeepers]

I assume you mean step up transformer for the Sony as Europe is on 220V, or a step down transformer for the cassette if using it in Europe.

You mean 230V right ?

 

[TLS Guy]

You mean 230V right ?

Most of continental Europe is 220, the UK is 240 volts 50 cycles/sec.

 

[Jeepers]

Most of continental Europe is 220, the UK is 240 volts 50 cycles/sec.

No.

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Is Europe 230 or 240 volts?


The voltage used throughout Europe (including the UK) has been harmonised since January 2003 at a nominal 230v 50 Hz (formerly 240V in UK, 220V in the rest of Europe) but this does not mean there has been a real change in the supply.

What is the difference between UK voltage and European ... - Leads Direct

Leads Direct

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Is the UK 230v or 240v?


In the UK, the declared voltage and tolerance for an electricity supply is 230 volts -6%, +10%. This gives an allowed voltage range of 216.2 volts to 253.0 volts.

Voltage Changes - SP Energy Networks

SP Energy Networks

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[TLS Guy]

No.

--------------
Is Europe 230 or 240 volts?


The voltage used throughout Europe (including the UK) has been harmonised since January 2003 at a nominal 230v 50 Hz (formerly 240V in UK, 220V in the rest of Europe) but this does not mean there has been a real change in the supply.
What is the difference between UK voltage and European ... - Leads Direct
Leads Direct

-------------
Is the UK 230v or 240v?


In the UK, the declared voltage and tolerance for an electricity supply is 230 volts -6%, +10%. This gives an allowed voltage range of 216.2 volts to 253.0 volts.
Voltage Changes - SP Energy Networks
SP Energy Networks

----------------

You have that right, but the bureaucrats can write any regs they want. That does not means things will change and they usually don't when we are talking about Europe. Having just been to the UK, I can assure the supply is 240 volts.

 

[Eppie]

You mean 230V right ?

Splitting hairs over European electricity regulation does not help the op any. Given the variances from region to region I would measure at the outlet to know for certain but the op's post implies that he is NA. Most EU equipment will operate fine from 220V to 240V any way.