Chile Forum

There is some good information mixed in with some confused information on here, so I will try and share my knowledge on electrics; although the 'power station' I am most used to is for ships, three, two and single phase. I do also know from experience as a consumer and from reading about different land based power supplies too; but will try and explain things in lame mans terms.

First thing, transformers are for changing Voltage not Frequency.
Frequency (50hz/60Hz in the case of house appliances) are now normally converted using a electronic rectifier. And more commonly in the past using motor-generator sets.
All the information you need about using your old appliances are explained better then I could on this website;
http://www.armory.com/~stacey/frequency-50.html

I would recommend getting UPS (Un-interrupted Power Supply) if you find your supply in your local area is unreliable, frequent power cuts are a good tail tail sign, it is possible to get one good $400USD UPS and power for example two computers, printers and other assocaited equipment off, and then one other for all your tv/video/xbox for your living room. A UPS is a big battery, with built in trickle charging and automatic switch over. They will help save you loosing work on your computer and it being damaged.

I'm also not sure how much use of Residual-current devices (RCDs) they have in Chile, in UK/USA/Australia/etc they must be legally installed in new instillations, you should check (please!) you have atleast one for all lighting circuits and one for all power sources on your houses load distribution board (where the breakers are); otherwise you are asking for a fatal electric shock.

The main priority is being safe, RCDs will allow your family home to be so, however if you have any concern about anything electrical, make sure you only ever touch it with ONE hand touching anything preferably whilst wearing boots with rubber bottoms to insulate you from the ground, if you are touching two conductors with different hands at one time you give the electricity a route across your heart, and thats when it becomes fatal.

Dosedmonkey wrote:if you are touching two conductors with different hands at one time you give the electricity a route across your heart, and thats when it becomes fatal.

Thank you very much for sharing this observation.

Is that sarcasm? And less of a observation, more of a rule...