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Building my own computer - PSU
KidPoker
Posts: 4,294 Forum Member
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Hey, first time I've tried to build a computer. I have all the parts except the case.
The PSU I bought has sent a European 2 pin power cord. Can I use any three pin power cord from previous desktops? The cord I have says 250v on it.
Probably a stupid question, so forgive me but I am learning.
The PSU I bought has sent a European 2 pin power cord. Can I use any three pin power cord from previous desktops? The cord I have says 250v on it.
Probably a stupid question, so forgive me but I am learning.
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The rating should be on a label on the PSU somewhere. Though if it was designed for the EU market then it will be OK as the mains voltage is more or less the same everywhere in the EU (give or take a volt or two
By the way if the supplier of the PSU normally sells goods to the UK it is a legal requirement that all mains leads supplied have a UK three pin plug on them.
PSU says - AC Output - 100v to 250v, so any lead in between then is fine I am assuming.
Yes you should be okay. Going back a while but I do recall some PSU had a voltage switch at he back that you would set it. I have a number of machines so do have a switch others dont.
Actually I found an example of one
http://www.pctechbytes.com/hardware/correct-voltage-setting-power-supply/
So you can set it for 115 or 230. So typically 230 is European and 115 is USA. So if it came from a European lead very good chance the default will be 230. In terms of 3 ping plug you will be fine.
All of the UK computer power supplies I've messed around with always have an earth connection, that's obviously very important with the psu being housed in a metal case. Unless they've changed things in the last few year's.
The only product's that don't require an earth are the ones that are double insulated, sometimes known as class II (2)
http://www.cyberphysics.co.uk/graphics/symbols/double_insulated.gif
I hope you mean AC INPUT! Don't go poking your fingers in the socket if it really is an OUTPUT and don't be stood too close when you plug it into the mains and switch on
All UK mains leads are 250V. The main worry is the current rating of the cable. Though unless it is stupidly thin most leads with an IEC plug on the end (the one that goes into the PSU) should be good for most computer PSUs.
Type E and F plugs used in many European countries are earthed. They just don't have a pin on the plug like UK ones do.
http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/e/
http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/f/
Most UPS units uses these type of plugs,
If it was something to do with powering the computer base unit and monitor from a single socket then what is the significant difference between a passthrough socket on a PC and one of these leads?
https://www.euronetwork.co.uk/uk-european-power-cords/y-leads
I have never seen one of those leads before.
Yeah I think I had one of those pc's with a mains out. IIRC it was the old AT standard where the front panel switch was the 240V mains switch (as opposed to modern soft switch psu's) and this also controlled the mains out at the back. I had a M/F kettle lead for the monitor.
The problem with the hard mains switch was that, when doing maintenance, you could get a shock from any exposed terminal on the mains switch when moving the opened case. Also noobs would turn the pc off using the power button - a bad idea for W3.11, W95 etc.