Chile Forum

zaebis wrote: Also even if you do find them their quality may not be up to your standards).

True. Unless you special-order something or find an unusual and extremely expensive supply source, much of what you find in Chile makes Wal-Mart quality look superior.

zaebis wrote: . you may find yourself using a generator (gasoline or diesel) and all of them have 110/220 outlets.

False. Some have one. Some have the other. Some have both. Many of the lower end models tend to have only one voltage out. Do you understand the difference between 220 VAC 3-phase and 220 VAC monophase? If not, don't go suggesting to others how to spec a generator. In other threads we have discussed the quality of power from some generators and its contribution to the premature death of electrical devices.

There are a lot of substandard transformers and generators out there, and Chile is a magnet for most of them. Some are from China, others from India. And just because some of them claim to have a "CE" rating, that may not mean much since the CE system allows for self-certifying, while the NRTL system (UL, CSA, etc) uses independent lab testing and manufacturing facility qualifying. There are many reasons why products like the following are junk and should be avoided- this one is so lacking in safety quals and certs that it cannot be lawfully used in US workplaces:

http://www.amazon.com/2000-Voltage-Conv ... pd_sim_e_2



The guideline for "getting the biggest you can get" is nonsensical and annoys the engineers in the audience. It makes no economic sense to buy a US$2000 transformer for a job that can be done safety by a properly sized US$100 product. Even calling for sizing a transformer for double the continuous-use demand of an electrical device is not supported by any standard, and is a bit excessive. If you are familiar with North American design requirements that conform to NFPA Standard 70 (NEC) then you know that continuous-use conductors and devices call for sizing conductors at not less than 120 percent of demand. Oh, and Chile has its own electrical code, so you may wish to consider knowing and meeting the local requirements.

En fin: if you don't know your electrical system essentials, find somebody who does, someone who is not Chilean. And don't buy the cheap junk. Chile burns down enough structures due to electrical fires as it is, and you don't need to contribute to the trend.

Just to clarify;
Chilean 220 voltage is one 220v lead as opposed to USA which is two 110v leads alternating 180 degrees apart, correct?

Thank you

Zenth wrote:Just to clarify;
Chilean 220 voltage is one 220v lead as opposed to USA which is two 110v leads alternating 180 degrees apart, correct?

Thank you

Almost. With three phase you have 2 current carrying and one return/neutral at 120 degrees and not 180.



Chilean 220 VAC is monophase (monofásico) with a single energised conductor, analogous to 120 VAC common in North America. Colours in Chile are: red = energised, white = return, green = earth.

In Chile, trifásico is typically 380 VAC.

I guess I meant to ask if a typical Chilean small appliance or lamp would need two 110V leads and no neutral or one 220V lead and a neutral as compared to the USA which would have one 110v lead and one neutral.
Sorry for the mixup but thanks for the explanation.

john wrote:

zer0nz wrote:

nenino wrote:We are building [planning to build] new house on raw land and will have to bring electric to the property. I was hoping to run both std Chilean 220v/50hrtz and 110v/60hrtz in the house so we can use our american electronics and small appliances.

waste of time..... buy a transformer for what you really need one appliance at a time...... your leaving usa for a reason, why bring its baggage with you??????

Sage advice! Never could understand why the US preens on being out of step with the civilized countries.

I was almost going to agree with part of your notion but I see we have to 'splain the rest of it.

120 VAC 60 Hz isn't just a US standard. It's the primary Western Hemisphere standard. There are more users and countries and machines from Alaska to Cabo de Hornos that use the de facto Western Hemisphere standard than those that use some variation of 230 VAC 50 Hz.

You've heard of Canada? Mexico? Ecuador? Costa Rica? Colombia? Panama? Honduras? Suriname? US and British Virgin Islands? DomRep? Nicaragua? Jamaica? Bahamas? Barbados? Trindad? Tobago? Bermuda? Caymans? El Salvador? Guatemala? Haiti? Puerto Rico? Likewise parts of Cuba, Belize, and Brazil. All on them on the Western Hemisphere standard of 120 VAC 60 Hz (some variations - like calling 127 VAC the standard... bfd). You need to get out more, travel a bit, you know, plug some things in now and then.

Edit: I forgot Venezuela, also 120 VAC 60 Hz.

Zenth wrote:I guess I meant to ask if a typical Chilean small appliance or lamp would need two 110V leads and no neutral or one 220V lead and a neutral as compared to the USA which would have one 110v lead and one neutral.
Sorry for the mixup but thanks for the explanation.

Your second solution. As indicated above, Chilean 220 VAC is single phase, so just one red wire for feed (lead) , one white for return (neutral) , and (usually) one green for earth/ground.

Chilean wiring practices differ from North American/NEC in many ways, including the usual requirement for everything that North Americans would use Romex for, in Chile you have to use conduit. And that of course would add expense to a residence that might be wired for both 120 and 230 VAC.

saludos

/px