uk voltage question about a european amp

[cheis]

Hello,

I wonder if some of you electricity specialists can help me:

I have a bass amp that I used in Europe but I now live in the UK.
On various websites I see that the voltage in Europe and the UK is 230 V - 50 Hz

I'm not an electrician by any means but this indicates to me that the voltage is the same.

The makers of the amp (Ampeg) have answered me and told me to "have a tech rewire your amplifier for use with 240VAC." (Ampeg are in the USA so might not know.)

Interestingly, a UK guitar company called Matamp have told me not to worry and that their amp will work fine. ( I asked them the question for one of their amps also)

AT the back of the Ampeg bass amp it says : Line rating 220V - 50/60 HZ

So... safe to play or not?

Thanks!

 

[Devonchris]

It should be fine. Make sure it's earthed if you have put a UK plug on. Just plug it in and try it. Not at this time of night though.

 

[dmxtothemax]

Ampeg make amplifiers for the international market,
So some will be suitable for 240v operation,
And some will be configarable for either 120 or 240v,
it all depends on which one you have ?
And the spec's label should reveal what you have.
What does your label say ?
What plug was on it ?

 

[cheis]

Yes they make some that work on 120 volts, but those would be american. Mine is for the European market. I've used it in Europe for 10 years.

In fact, I think that the real question is the difference between UK and Europe. Can I buy a UK lead (cable) and plug it into the amp?

I've posted a picture of the cable it takes. I wonder if I can buy the same type with the 3 pins that fits into UK sockets ?

 

[dmxtothemax]

Looks like a european cord 230v.
What does the spec label say ?

 

[Amateur]

Absolutely loads of cables on ebay in various lengths.

Look at this on eBay 3m Long IEC Kettle Lead Power Cable 3 Pin UK Plug PC Monitor C13 Cord - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371886492718

I remember my dad buying a load of Pioneer hi-fi separates in Germany, shipped them over here, bought some new UK leads and no problems.

Im not sure about in the rest of europe but in the UK depending on if you run any additional equipment into your amp, laptops, cd/mini disc etc you might need an inline RCA ground loop noise supressor too. I have one on my karaoke system to reduce the hum interference. Some people chop the earth wire to stop it but i dont like that idea at all!

 

[westward10]

Absolutely loads of cables on ebay in various lengths.

Look at this on eBay 3m Long IEC Kettle Lead Power Cable 3 Pin UK Plug PC Monitor C13 Cord - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371886492718

I remember my dad buying a load of Pioneer hi-fi separates in Germany, shipped them over here, bought some new UK leads and no problems.

Im not sure about in the rest of europe but in the UK depending on if you run any additional equipment into your amp, laptops, cd/mini disc etc you might need an inline RCA ground loop noise supressor too. I have one on my karaoke system to reduce the hum interference. Some people chop the earth wire to stop it but i dont like that idea at all!

Although they advertise that as a kettle lead it is not although it may fit many. The IEC connector for a kettle is commonly called a "hot connector" and has a key way to it to prevent this type of computer lead from being used as they are not all suitably rated. But yes this will serve the OPs purpose or he can just cut his plug off and fit a UK plug.

 

[cheis]

If we look at the picture, I know that the part of the cable with the 3 holes will fit into the amp. It's the right shape. Of course, 2 pins won't fit into a UK plug.

I have bought a few cables like this off ebay and I hope the amp will switch on.

If the voltage is the same in the UK as in Europe, then the only question is the shape of the sockets in the wall.

 

[westward10]

Cut your plug off and fit a UK plug this will be fine.

 

[cheis]

I will not be cutting anything, thank you very much ! : 0

I've joined a picture to illustrate my question, just to be clear.

 

[westward10]

Yes the lead on the right is fine.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Historically, mainland Europe was approximately 220V and the UK 240V, with a +/- 6% tolerance. Now we call it nominally 230V +10/-6% so in most areas the voltage was already within tolerance for a 230V supply, and no change was actually made to the voltage. Manufacturers have to make their products accept any voltage within tolerance in the EU, so anywhere between 216 and 253V is OK for newish equipment.

Old 220V equipment, e.g. valve amps made pre-1980s, would be more stressed if plugged into the higher end of UK voltages (which can sometimes reach the 250V mark). But they will tend to have a voltage selector built in, e.g. for 210, 230, 250 nominal, as there was local variation too. If your amp does not have a voltage selector, it should be fine anywhere in Europe.

 

[cheis]

Ah that makes sense! It doesn't have a voltage selector, just a ground polarity switch: 0 + -

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Actually, what model is the amplifier? If it is a valve unit, the transformer inside might have taps for different voltages to achieve optimum operating conditions for the valves, although they are not conveniently brought out to a voltage selector. So when they say 'have a tech rewire'' what they mean is he would change the voltage selection tap on the transformer, which you might be able to do yourself. If we can get sight of the circuit diagram that would clarify.

It is a long time since I worked on stage music gear professionally, takes me back to my student days before I got into large-scale live audio production. I tend to avoid it now, build my own audio kit and do jukeboxes and vintage HiFi for a change of scenery.

 

[cheis]

It's a Ampeg SVT 400 T. Valve.
I have a circuit diagram that was sent to me by Ampeg.

 

[cheis]

here is the diagram

 

[SparkyChick]

The manufacturer appears to suggest different internal connections from the main PSU transformer, so I would advise against just plugging it in an hoping for the best.

There are a couple of changes in that diagram for 220v vs 240v operation.

Any chance you can take a picture of the inside of the amp showing the transformer and where the connections from it connect to a circuit board?

 

[Lucien Nunes]

And, if you have the actual schematic circuit diagram rather than just the wiring diag, that would be helpful. The colours of the transformer leads do not tell us much, but if the taps on the transformer are marked on the diagram with the lead colours, we can see what the differences are. Because the two versions show different coloured leads, there are either some unused taps with their leads sleeved, or they are different transformers.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

It's a Ampeg SVT 400 T. Valve.

Now you're trying to confuse me. It's transistor, not valve...

 

[cheis]

Maybe I'd be better off buying a European cable and just putting on an adapter for UK sockets in the wall. I can't believe that musicians have their amps rewired every time they tour in Europe. Or do they?