Bringing my computer to japan??

[Kurisu]

If i bring my computer (it's a desktop) from Canada to Japan, will it work??

or do i have to buy a converter??

I would not want to swap the power supply because there is no power supply better than the one i have.

My power supply is an "OCZ GameXStream 700W"

[Uncle Frank]

If you go to the "SEARCH" function and type in "power adapter" there is a lot of info to help you, several threads and many posts full of good information.

Uncle Frank

:wave:

PS - WOW, 700 watts, you might make the neighbor's lights go dim when you turn on your PC, LOL.

[JimmySeal]

That's one big honking power supply you've got there.
According to the specs here:
http://techgage.com/article/ocz_gamexstream_700w/
your power supply has the following voltage rating:
100~240Vac 10-5A 50/60Hz
most Japanese home electrical sockets provide 100Vac at 60 Hz (sometimes 50), so that should be fine.

The sockets are the same shape, except that most sockets are two prong sockets with no ground hole. The thing to do for that is to get a simple little adaptor that converts 2 prong + ground prong to 2 prong + little green ground wire. They're not very hard to find. Alternately you could just rip the ground prong out of your AC cable, but that may not be the best idea.


I can't understand why anyone would need a power supply like that. It uses 10A @ 115V, so good luck using it without tripping the circuit breakers.

[Kurisu]

nice... thanks.. why doesn't Japan have a ground hole??
about the 700w... i'll never have to buy another PSU ever again.. and i'll never be able to max it out.. :-)

[Ewok85]

700W is a small one, the 1k barrier has already been beaten and my next PC will be using 2 power supplies for a combined wattage of around 2000W - not that it uses that all the time, just under heavy load it might get near it. Normal PC power usage is around 200W.

The cable that connects the power supply to the wall is an international standard cable, same as is used on monitors and many other electrical things. When you arrive in Japan simply buy that cable again (its 300yen or so) and it should come with an adapter to make it fit 2 or 3 pin sockets.

http://www.sanwa.co.jp/product/cable/power/powercord.html

Edit: I was bored so I did some reading. The sockets used in Japan is the same as the old TypeA sockets found in America with just 2 holes, which was prohibited for installation in homes from 1965 onwards. Also, the adapter that I mentioned earlier is considered illegal for sale and use in America and Canada as it presents a fire risk, as well as generally being dangerous and equipment like computers have a grounding pin for a reason ;) Ways around this would be to buy a OA Tap (power board) that accepts plugs with grounding pins, or using something like a UPS which would ground the unit acceptably.

(Pic of adapter).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Us_grounding_adapter_two_view.jpg

[JimmySeal]

Ways around this would be to buy a OA Tap (power board) that accepts plugs with grounding pins, or using something like a UPS which would ground the unit acceptably.

But the UPS itself would have to be grounded somehow, right? But I guess you would only have to deal with one ground pin instead of several.

This is from the first link that Ewok posted:
http://www.sanwa.co.jp/product/cable/power/images/KB-D3_K_160.jpg
As you can see, the bottom cord has a little green and yellow wire coming off of it instead of a ground pin. Although not completely safe, you can leave the green wire unconnected to anything and your computer will run fine, barring any internal malfunctions. I don't have my computer equipment grounded :bluush:

[JerseyBoy]

In general, notebook computers don't need the ground while monitors and desk top units tend to have the ground plug for North America. I am a Mac user; so, all of my Macs are compatible worldwide (except for the shape of the plug, which can be easily taken care of by using plug converters). I am brining computer equipment I purchased during my stay in N. America back to Japan in 2 days.

[DoctorP]

You will not have any problems using your computer in Japan. As stated, you just need to purchase a three prong to two prong adapter before leaving. Radio Shack is your friend!

[Ewok85]

But the UPS itself would have to be grounded somehow, right? But I guess you would only have to deal with one ground pin instead of several.

I'd rather deal with repairing or replacing a $500 UPS than a $4000 computer setup :p

[ArmandV]

I've been using my laptop while currently in Japan. I am using it with a two-prong adapter (since the power plug has the third prong). Everything's been working just fine.