A 120 volt guy living in a 230 volt world
Everything was going so well when I began plugging things in, but when it came to the computer itself my luck took a turn for the worse. I was lying at a very strange angle on the floor under our new computer table with my head very close to bundles of wires and electronics and such. Cross fingers, plug in printer, excellent - all of the correct lights and sounds came to life and our trusty HP 750 PSC was back in action.
Then came the monitor. I had to replace the electrical cord with a European one, but that was a very easy matter. Then I plugged it in and our beautiful flat panel screen came to life as easily as awaking to the smell of fresh coffee and a fry breakfast on sunny summer morning.
Finally came the main event. I firmly gripped the business end of the brand new power cord for the PC and with great confidence I shoved it into one of the many 230 volt outlets that our apartment in conveniently equipped with.
Without a moment of warning all hell broke loose. We'll maybe I exaggerate a bit. But there was a loud POP and a crackle and the smell of fried electronics. I don't mind telling you that since all of this action was inches from my head I actually screamed like a little girl. I know, it's hard to believe that "Electric Mike" screamed, but it was quite unsettling. When I looked up to Gillian for comfort and support from this very awkward position, expecting an empathetic response, I was met with a rolling of eyes. A look not unfamiliar to me.
We are indeed a misunderstood and under-appreciated breed, those of us that experiment with the electrons that power our lives.
posted by Gillian & Mike @ 12:23 PM
1 Comments:
Try it the other way 'round - plugging a 230V appliance into a North American 120V socket. I did this by accident once in a lab when I was in grad school. Snap-crackle-pop - and the entire lab went black! My partner and I went searching for the lab's circuit breaker, which we figured must be in one of the many panels of circuit breakers that line the hall. The situation got out of hand when other grad students "helpfully" joined in on the circuit breaker search. Breakers were getting flipped left and right. At some point someone - I truly don't know whom - accidentally shut off the power to one of the building's elevators. What we didn't know was that the head of our department was in the elevator. He was not pleased to have to be rescued by maintenance. Fortunately for my lab partner and myself, no one ever ratted us out!
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