I don't think it's meant contradictorily. Lob Rockster speaks of the plugs (live is left) and I'm talking about the socket (right).

The main fuse? If it was just the fuse of the room you were in, I'd advise to try a socket in the kitchen, where the maximal amperage is probably higher. But regrettably I've no idea for a main fuse problem.

Rather, the circuit breaker, and, come to think of it, I don't remember having to reset the oven clock, so maybe it was just the one room.

I didn't see a reply to this post, if there is, sorry for the re-post.
You should be able to change the input voltage on the PSU of the computer, (red switch slightly covered on the rear where the cable plugs in) If not, we can supply you one for very cheap depending on your pc. Most are around CHF30-50, more powerful ones are up to a few hundred.
Let me know if you need any help.

I hate to say, but this is not correct.
Alternating current (AC), does not care how it goes through a load. The idea of having live and neutral not reversed is in DC systems (cars for ex).
The most important is to know the neutral is common and unfused, the live is fused and is the cause of most shocks to bare feet or fingers. The live is protected with a fuse to prevent futher electricity from arriving at its destination in case of a fault, this is the reason teh fuse covers the live wire. In saying that, if you get in between a neutral line carrying a load, this does far more damage internally to your body than just a simple 220v shock. Best to get professional advice before playing, if your home burns from doing your own electrical work, somone's life could be taken.
Be careful.

You're right PCDesigns and I for one would educate myself again before doing serious electricity stuff. But there's still an advantage if you don't confuse live and neutral in AC devices. For example the live contact in light bulb sockets can't be touched accidentally, but the winding can.

Sorry to whinge on endlessly, but I am still confused.

A UK plug is wired so that, when you have the plug all undone and the cord grip is facing you at the bottom, neutral (blue) goes left, earth (green/yellow) goes in the middle, and live (brown) goes to the right. This much I know! I even found a little aide-memoir - BRown Bottom Right, BLue Bottom Left. It also has this wiring diagram on one of my UK plugs.

Is a Swiss 3-pin plug basically wired in exactly the same way? Posts on here seem to indicate that it may be the opposite?

I spent ages searching on the internet for a definitive answer, but whereas plenty of UK sites and plugs say it is important to wire a plug correctly, I see no such warnings on Swiss sites or even on Swiss plugs. I only found one site that gave me the wiring for a Swiss plug but it had the UK plug wrong, so I didn't trust it. This makes me wonder whether it really matters which way round neutral and live go on Swiss 3-pin plugs, since you think they would warn people if it was dangerous to get it wrong. People at work seemed to think it didn't matter.

However, I don't want to kill myself. But I don't really want to have an electrician charge me for changing my plugs when I could do it myself if only I knew the answer to this single question.

I feel I am probably overcomplicating something very easy!

kfc.

try it, you can touch the center electrode... (trust me..)

Inside the new cord cap, you should see an "L" and "N", look carefully. L is for live, (colored), N is for neutral, almost always blue (white for north america). Just make sure the green/yellow is in the middle.
If you are still unsure, call me at my office number.

P.S. DO ENSURE WHEN YOU TIGHTEN THE SCREWS, YOU DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN THEM OR YOU WILL CUT SOME OF THE WIRE AND REDUCE THE DIAMETER WHICH CAN CREATE HOT SPOTS AND MELT, POSSIBLY CATCHING FIRE!!!!

alternatively .... http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/vilcus/

Thanks! I shoved it under a very bright light and saw the L and the N (live was left, neutral was right).

kfc.

Hahah! This made my day!

To be honest, I managed to touch the center electrode once, it felt like a hammer ... Also as a kid I once discovered this alternative use for knitting needles. So far I neither died nor got superpowers from these accidents.

That is crazy!!! LMAO!!
You can also try the cable TV outlets with bare feet, or sometimes telephone. I love the parts in TV shows where you see someone trying it on someone else with car batteries... and the sound effects! Wow, 12 volts really can do that? Ahhh television, who said it corrupts minds?
I've heard if you stand in front of a satelite disk you can start seeing into the future, but I will live it day by day!

Hi,
I am moving from Canada to Lugano this month and need some help regarding appliances. We are not bringing most appliances (tv, washing machine, etc.), but are trying to see if it is worth bringing our treadmill. It costs us no extra to bring it. But, can I get a new plug for it or use a converter? It's 120 volts, 60 HX, and 9.5 amps, and is a typical north american 3 prong plug (which I know will not fit w/out an adapter). My concern with just using an adapter is that we'll end up burning out the motor or causing a fire.

Can anyone tell me if I can get it converted to a CH type plug? If so, where would I do this? Any idea on how much it could cost?

THANKS!

About your treadmill - it depends. The plug is not the problem, you need either a transformer (and a hefty one if it draws nearly 10 amps), or you need to check with the manufacturer (sometimes motors are manufactured as 110/220 capable, it's a matter of which contacts are connected internally).

Or better yet, go running outside. Seriously. Southern switzerland ? rarely if ever do they get snow in the valleys.

regards

Peter

welcome from another Canadian.
I can tell you that the treadmill will not function here as all the outlets are 220v. You could buy a transformer, but that is rather expensive and not really recommended for the electronic board and the motor(s). Most treadmills here start from CHF200-300 for something worth while. You can price a transformer there. Look for Input 220-240v output 110-125v.
If you need more electrical help on this, you can ask away, I'll do my best to help. The cord caps can be changed here for a few bucks.

Just for the record, the voltage here in Switzerland is 230V, rather than 220V.

It surprised me when I was told this last year - European standardization or some such. In spite of the meters for the house having 220V written on them, I've measured mine at a consistent 230 Volts.

I have hunted for an official statement on this. The nearest I've come up with is the text and (and pretty graphics) at

http://www.vse.ch/de/internet/networ...olstation.html
(in German)

It has been 220V in the past and was upped to 230V because higher voltages make it possible to transport more energy with less losses.

Appliances that were built for 220V also work with 230V, although they sometimes are less efficient or have a lower life expectancy. To us consumers 220/230V labels are only relevant to distinguish them from 110/115V and low voltage systems.

And 230 V is an International Standard.

Would one of you mind posting a picture of a swiss plug and a picture of an outlet. I am building a step-down converter that is adjustable from 240-220-210-208 that converts down to 120, but don't think the standard industrial super-large 220 plug is correct. Reason is that I really love my current home theatre electronics here in the US and want to bring them with.

Many thanks

search the forum and you'll find the pics. They are already posted.
best check your TV to make sure it'll run PAL instead of NTSC.