Hooking a 110v imacg5 to a 220v socket...

Yes indeed, Ewen, but the fact still remains that if the power supply is killed pretty well instantly and either this (essentially the same process as that involved in a fuse when you think about it), or the design of the device, prevents power passing further down the chain, then it may only be the power supply which suffers.

I think, Rod, I stated in my previous post that the Power Supply unit is likely to be fried, as to the extent of the damage... hard to say without actually inspecting the iMac G5 internally.

You may not have been cruising the iMac G5 board long enough to remember

I started cruising the iMac G5 forum, Rod when I bought one (we do have the same model I note, albeit with different t HDs 🙂.

I agree that getting the computer checked out by a professional makes good sense in such a situation. If, however, a cursory inspection reveals that the motherboard and other components have been fried as well then you very rapidly get to the point where it simply doesn't make economic sense to repair the computer. (A replacement logic board, even from the cheap places costs around $600, a power supply $200, etc )

It depends on your situation Rod, but it might be hard for many to isolate the problem if it lies beyond the Power Supply, doubly so if they lacked the knowledge to avoid plugging a US iMac into a 110+ V socket in the first place!

So what is the safest way to use an Imac that has a 110 power supply if you are moving or working in a country that is on 220 ?

I am in San francisco and I am thinking of buying an imac but maybe moving to the UK, what do I need to use my imac safely in the UK.

Brit,

If you're thinking of buying the latest iMac, you'll have no problems as it comes with the universal power supply. You'd only have a problem if you bought a rev A machine.

John

Ahh, marvellous, thanks for the info...

Rod and Ewen, what amazes me is that, generally, a 220v outlet and plug are an entirely different configuration then a 110v out let and plug just to avoid such occurances, I I VS --
I I

DICK

Look at pages W-16 and W-17 for the various NEMA plug /socket confiurations. http://www.cooperwiringdevices.com/catalog/PDF/CWDTECHNICALREFERENCE.pdf

Dick

a 220v outlet and plug are an entirely different configuration then a 110v out let and plug just to avoid such occurances

The trouble is, Dick, that you can buy adaptor plugs at just about any airport or electrical store for a few dollars that convert the pinout but not the voltage.

In this case I suspect that the fact that just about all Macs (including all other iMacs) have had automatic switching for decades makes people a bit more likely to get into strife. The fact that the specs published on the Apple website were misleading for a while didn't help any, either!

Cheers

Rod

Rod, its like gasoline and matches.

Thanks, Dick

Rod, its like gasoline and matches.

Yes, or given the expectation which many Mac people have built up over the years about "universal" power supplies , like finding out too late that the can that you thought contained water to put out the fire actually is full of aviation fuel!

Cheers

Rod

The trouble is, Dick, that you can buy adaptor plugs at just about any airport or electrical store for a few dollars that convert the pin-out but not the voltage.

For just a few dollars you can also buy a Voltage Transformer, Rod. It's merely a case of lack of consumer education with regards Power Supplies, I think.

The fact that the specs published on the Apple Website were misleading for a while didn't help any, either!

I think, however, that the Specs in the iMac G5 product manual were correct, though perhaps not all take the time to read it.

Rod, its like gasoline and matches.

I couldn't agree more...