Where is everybody from?

Wittenborner

Hello! My name is Jens and I am from Germany. I am asking because the region might be an issue for localized software and (even more important) for local environment differences.
Here’s my issue: I own a IBM PC AT that was manufactured for the German market in the 80s. The electric outlets back then were standardized at 220 Volts / 50 Hz. Nowadays it’s 240 Volts and I eventually blew my „big red switch“.
Could that part be repaired or are there modern versions of this part, that can handle the 240 Volts?

Regards, Jens

Wittenborner

I have to correct myself: I own an IBM PC XT. It’s the nicer version anyway, because it has this slanted front design.

Gogledd

Hi! I'm Dan, I'm from Wales.

Back in the day, the European grid was at 220V and the UK grid was at 240V. This was changed in the 90s to harmonise the grids so they could be interconnected, with both now being 230V. This change is less than 5% in each direction, which should well be in the tolerance of all the components in your computer. The EU regulations have actually always allowed for fluctuations larger than this, too. I highly doubt that the small increase in voltage is what's to blame.

The power switch is integrated into the PSU unit on the XT - I imagine there's a fault in your PSU somewhere such as a failed capacitor, blown fuse, or something like that. The switch itself is probably just fine, it's just some of the components it's connected to! It happens - Capacitors fail as they get old, power surges blow fuses, it's all just a part of owning a vintage computer.

If you're not confident with your own diagnosing and soldering, it's probably best get your PSU sent to a specialist for repair, or buying a replacement power supply. No need to modify for 230V at all. 🙂

Dio9sys

Hello! I'm in the northeast US.

That problem seems pretty interesting. I'm willing to bet there's power supply units that already step down from 240 to 220, but this is admittedly not my area of expertise

Mike, Slightly Yellowed

Australia is nominally 230v, but as I recall that means "anywhere between 210 and 250" and even older devices are usually fine there.

Old computer power supplies are a minefield though. They don't even need a reason to pop even. As long as it didn't take anything out with it, or there's no short on the board that was the cause, it's not hard to get suitable replacements for old PCs.

Reminds me, I need one for an old CP/M machine that'd make a great thread for this place!