can I switch the 110 volts to 220 volts for my toshiba satellite c55 b5299

[aleth]

can I switch the 110 volts to 220 volts for my toshiba satellite c55 b5299, I got from my uncle from US and I want to use it on a 220 volts, do I need to have AVR on it

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Check the power supply - it should say something like "100-240V~". If so, you're good.

You should not need an AVR for anything, especially a laptop supply.

 

[aleth]

on the ac adapter it says the input is 100 to 230 volts, however on the switch it self which connects to the wall, it says 110 volts. what do you think?

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Pic of the switch? There shouldn't be a switch anywhere.

Unless you're referring to the one on the power socket that is part of the house.

 

[chaz_music]

I am assuming from your description that there is an external power supply for a laptop. If the power supply / power brick has a standard IEC-320 connector on it, you will need a UK power cord with the IEC-320 connector on it for the power brick side. The old cord is a US 5-15P plug is only rated for 110/120V for US outlets. You can Google the IEC-320 plug for an image. Note that the UK cord should have a fuse in it for protection. Make sure that fuse is relatively small (below ~8-10A).

Make sure the power brick really does say it can handle a wide input range 110-230VAC. If you are wrong, you will kill the brick but I would think that if it does not work in the UK, it is not much value to you anyway. You might can find a secondhand power supply in a pawn shop if you know what power/output voltage/current the old one makes.

Don't use a small travel power converter for 120V US electronics. Those are for heating appliances only (heater, iron, cooking, etc.).

 

[Someone Somewhere]

220V does not necessarily mean UK - plenty of countires use 220-240V without plug fuses.

Don't use a small travel power converter for 120V US electronics. Those are for heating appliances only (heater, iron, cooking, etc.).

Assuming you're talking about the travel adapters with no internal voltage regulation, that is the exact opposite of what they're for. Only wide-voltage devices, which are powered by switchmode supplies. Like cellphone chargers, laptop chargers etc.

Using them on a resistive device would cause major damage to the device.

 

[chaz_music]

220V does not necessarily mean UK - plenty of countires (sic) use 220-240V without plug fuses.

Don't use a small travel power converter for 120V US electronics. Those are for heating appliances only (heater, iron, cooking, etc.).

>>>> Assuming you're talking about the travel adapters with no internal voltage regulation, that is the exact opposite of what they're for. Only wide-voltage devices, which are powered by switchmode supplies. Like cellphone chargers, laptop chargers etc.

>>>> Using them on a resistive device would cause major damage to the device.

Your answer on the power adapters is 100% incorrect. The SCR based travel plugs are ONLY to be used with heating devices, and absolutely not for electronic devices, devices with transformers, and motors (vacuum, etc.). I am correcting this because your answer could cause someone to damage their appliances. The SCR based power controllers phase back the SCR so that only about 50% of the voltage is switched on giving 50% of the effective RMS voltage, but the waveform created is a chopped sinewave which will damage many loads.

Yes, there are countries that do not use fuses in the 230-240V plug, but countries that use a ring circuit in their buildings (like the UK), you can get ALL of the available current out of any single plug. For example, you can plug an electric dryer into the same plug as a small radio and both will will work fine. So if you use a cheap plug without a fuse in that situation, you are playing Russian roulette. If the radio fails, you can pull all 50A of the 240V service into your failing radio.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

220V does not necessarily mean UK - plenty of countires (sic) use 220-240V without plug fuses.

Don't use a small travel power converter for 120V US electronics. Those are for heating appliances only (heater, iron, cooking, etc.).

>>>> Assuming you're talking about the travel adapters with no internal voltage regulation, that is the exact opposite of what they're for. Only wide-voltage devices, which are powered by switchmode supplies. Like cellphone chargers, laptop chargers etc.

>>>> Using them on a resistive device would cause major damage to the device.

Your answer on the power adapters is 100% incorrect. The SCR based travel plugs are ONLY to be used with heating devices, and absolutely not for electronic devices, devices with transformers, and motors (vacuum, etc.). I am correcting this because your answer could cause someone to damage their appliances. The SCR based power controllers phase back the SCR so that only about 50% of the voltage is switched on giving 50% of the effective RMS voltage, but the waveform created is a chopped sinewave which will damage many loads.

Yes, there are countries that do not use fuses in the 230-240V plug, but countries that use a ring circuit in their buildings (like the UK), you can get ALL of the available current out of any single plug. For example, you can plug an electric dryer into the same plug as a small radio and both will will work fine. So if you use a cheap plug without a fuse in that situation, you are playing Russian roulette. If the radio fails, you can pull all 50A of the 240V service into your failing radio.

That's an impressive time to reply.

I assumed you were referring to the straight pin-converters with no electronics or magnetics, that are simply plug adapters.

Your understanding of fault current does leave something to be desired, though.

The UK is one country (though IIRC Singapore uses the same system), out of quite a number. Ring circuits are not common and unnecessary fear-mongering without any knowledge of where OP is/was travelling to is not productive.