Buying a monitor in USA, using in Europe

[Dan Polansky]

I am considering buying a TFT LCD monitor in USA, and using it in
Europe, specifically in the Czech Republic. Are there any issues?
Like, do power network differences play any role? If they do, is it
then that the hardware manufacturers produce different series monitors
for different markets, such as one series for Europe, one for the USA,
another one for Japan, yet another for Australia? Thank you. --Dan
Polansky

 

[Conor]

I am considering buying a TFT LCD monitor in USA, and using it in
Europe, specifically in the Czech Republic. Are there any issues?
Like, do power network differences play any role? If they do, is it
then that the hardware manufacturers produce different series monitors
for different markets, such as one series for Europe, one for the USA,
another one for Japan, yet another for Australia? Thank you. --Dan
Polansky

In the EU, it's typically 230V 50Hz AC so you need to make sure that the
power supply supports that. It's not an issue with laptops as they're
mostly 120-240V.

It's not different monitors they produce but different PSUs.

 

[GlowingBlueMist]

In the EU, it's typically 230V 50Hz AC so you need to make sure that the
power supply supports that. It's not an issue with laptops as they're
mostly 120-240V.

It's not different monitors they produce but different PSUs.

I used my American purchased equipment in both Italy and Greece for a number
of years while supporting a number of military contracts with no problems.
True I had made sure my equipment was 50/60 cycle compatible. The voltage
difference was taken care of by using an external 240/120 transformer. Note
that I said transformer, not one of those little electric shaver converters
they try to sell you at airports or Sears. Make sure any voltage adaptor
you use is going to use gives you a sine wave output and not a modified
square wave as some equipment still does not like a modified wave shape.

Unless you are using a laptop with a charged battery I would also think
about purchasing a small 120/240 50/60 cycle UPS. Many places have stable
power but it's still possible to find yourself in a "bad" situation. I have
been in hotels where the room power would fluctuate every time someone used
the elevator.

 

[Dan Polansky]

Thank you all so far for the answers. I would hope that the monitor
has a full-range input, so that I only need a different power cord.

The monitor in question is the following one:

HP w1707 17-inch Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor
http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/display/display//3/storefronts/KB744AA%23ABA

On that page it says, when I go to "Specs" tab, and then follow the
"View all specs" link:

Power source - AC/DC adapter Input rating: 100 to 240V~

Does that mean that the monitor probably works in Europe?

 

[GlowingBlueMist]

Thank you all so far for the answers. I would hope that the monitor
has a full-range input, so that I only need a different power cord.

The monitor in question is the following one:

HP w1707 17-inch Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor
http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/display/display//3/storefronts/KB744AA%23ABA

On that page it says, when I go to "Specs" tab, and then follow the
"View all specs" link:

Power source - AC/DC adapter Input rating: 100 to 240V~

Does that mean that the monitor probably works in Europe?

Yes that does mean it will work in Europe or the USA.

You will most likely need to purchase a plastic power plug converter as most
european countries do not use the same outlets as those in the USA. For
that matter not all European countries use the same 220 plug style either.
so one of those little adaptor kits (not voltage converter) you can get at
an international airport comes in handy. For that matter I have found that
most better European hotels can point you to a place that will sell you
cheap adaptor once you get there.

 

[GlowingBlueMist]

Yes that does mean it will work in Europe or the USA.

You will most likely need to purchase a plastic power plug converter as
most european countries do not use the same outlets as those in the USA.
For that matter not all European countries use the same 220 plug style
either. so one of those little adaptor kits (not voltage converter) you
can get at an international airport comes in handy. For that matter I
have found that most better European hotels can point you to a place that
will sell you cheap adaptor once you get there.

This link will show you what kind of power plug you can expect to find in
the various european countries.
http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm

Just click on the letter of the plug type and it will show you a picture of
the plug itself.

 

[GlowingBlueMist]

Assuming the monitor has an internal PSU with a standard IEC
power socket, another alternative instead of an adapter set
would be to buy a *standard* (what would be standard for the
Czech Republic) AC power cord as is used on a monitor or
computer sold there... a local computer shop might even give
it away free.

I know it's been a while but I just saw this plug adaptor that might be
useful for some. The price is temporary due to a sale but it's
representative of what can be had.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1085682&sku=K05-1028