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#136726 05/03/03 11:20 AM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 1
C
C-H Offline OP
Member
I have a very unusual problem. I'm upgrading my homepage, going throuh it step by step to verify the information. Boy, do I find errors!

Currently, I'm trying to figure out what frequency the electrical system in Tuvaly (a very, very small island country) is.

In this case I have a photo:

[Linked Image from girdo.com]

Is this American, Australian or British?

#136727 05/03/03 12:37 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,116
Likes: 4
Member
C-H,

A secure installation!

I don't recognize any equipment in your picture, but was taking a look at your site. You've been busy collecting information I see! It looks good.

I have a suggestion, in the US area you should also have a photo and specs for a Polarized ungrounded plug where one blade is wider than the other. That is more common by far (I think) than the non-polarized plug.

Bill

[This message has been edited by Bill Addiss (edited 05-03-2003).]


Bill
#136728 05/03/03 12:58 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 106
J
Member
C-H

the transformer on the left of the picture looks similar to the ones we use over here in England,
but the one on the right does not look familiar.

could you get a close shot of the transformer identification labels, this would help.

John H

#136729 05/03/03 01:06 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
I
Moderator
C-H very impressive data base, sorry I can not help with your question.

I agree with Bill that the polarized plugs are more common for lamps and audio/video equipment.

Bob


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#136730 05/03/03 01:48 PM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 1
C
C-H Offline OP
Member
Bill and Bob, thanks for the kind words!

{Makes mental note to add polarized plug to type A page.}

The photo is from an overenthusiastic tourist who have dozens of photos from his trip to Tuvalu on his website.

I don't expect anyone to recognize the particular transformers, I only wanted to know country of origin. Does the warning signs give a lead? They don't tell me as a Swede anything, but I thought you who live in English-speaking countries might recognize them.

The reason is that the sockets are reported as Australian, the system as the British/Australian 240/415V and the history book tells it was a British colony. But, the frequency is reported by some sources as the American 60Hz... It can happen - a small number of countries have "mixed" systems like this, but it is rare. In most cases it indicates an error in the information. I'm gonna be an expert in colonial history soon [Linked Image]

I know I'm pedantic, but the gaps and errors in the list annoy me.

I'm writing a full explanation of everything in the database, a FAQ and a description of the different electrical systems. Only trouble is that it takes some time.

#136731 05/03/03 03:22 PM
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,498
T
Member
I tried to blow up the pic, but it got to blurred. I couldn't read the upper sign.
Concerning cell phone systems: Austria has GSM 900/1800, soon UMTS, Germany ditto.

#136732 05/03/03 04:56 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Member
C-H,
That transformer unit on the right looks vaguely familiar, I think it may have been built by ABB Systems, if this is any help.
I checked up on a travel guide for Tuvalu and it said that the power supply is 240VAC 60Hz, there was also a website on the page
www.tuvalu.tv , so you may find something there, there's even a Forum there!. [Linked Image]

[This message has been edited by Trumpy (edited 05-03-2003).]

#136733 05/03/03 06:19 PM
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 177
B
Member
May I take this forum as opportunity to correct your amps at outlet. It's 20A instead of 16A

#136734 05/04/03 05:24 AM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,520
P
Member
C-H,
I congratulate you on your desire to get your data as accurate as possible. I've also looked through the various lists and been annoyed by the contradictions.

As John mentioned, the gear on the left is similar to some British types, even down to the same shade of gray.

The lower sign on the gate poses more questions. 11,000 volts is the standard local distribution level used in the U.K., which seems consistent with the adoption of 240/415 LV systems and a British colonial past.

However, the style of the sign (black block at the top, "DANGER" in a red oval) is much more American than British. The U.K. has never, to the best of my knowledge, used that style of danger sign.

#136735 05/05/03 02:36 AM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 1
C
C-H Offline OP
Member
Well, thanks! It was worth a try. I'll leave the frequency at 60Hz with a comment that it could be wrong.

Trumpy,
you could be right on the right one. [Linked Image] The transformer looks like the ones in Sweden, which are of course usually made by ABB. But, then again, I don't know what transformers look like in other countries.

Belgian,
Thanks for your input. I know that you have 20A circuits, but can you connect a 20A appliance to a socket? I was under the impression that the French/Belgian socket was rated for 16A. Or are special 20A sockets common? I'm happy to correct the information if I'm wrong.

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