Newbie question about 110/220 PSU

[acdalek]

Hi - sorry this is so basic. I've done a search and not found the answer. I have an Arctic Cooling Silentium T2 case with a Seasonic SS-350 ATC PSU. I moved from UK to Canada where mains runs at 110 volts. The PSU states it only runs at 220v and has no switch for 110v. Also, its a special fit for the case so cannot be replaced. Curiosity got the better of me so I plugged it in and it works fine.
So my question is - if the PSU is working at the 110v is that dangerous?? I don't want to start any fires now... Or is that the PSU is high quality and can sense the voltage and auto switch.
Really appreciate any advise as I'm scared of burning the place down!
A

[pentium]

Re: Newbie question about 110/220 PSU

If it is working with no noticeable side-effects than you should be fine as I can't see any explosions when working at a lower voltage.
If you were going the other way around however, I would first be positive that 220V would not cause the PSU to self-destruct.

[Harvey]

Re: Newbie question about 110/220 PSU

There should be a label on the PSU showing its range of operating voltages. I'd be cautious to say the least of operating it at a voltage its not specifically designed to run with...

[acdalek]

Re: Newbie question about 110/220 PSU

Thanks for the replies. Label reads 200-240v. Gutted if I can't use it as I built the PC myself and the case/PSU are sort of one offs (here's a Badcaps review if you're interested: https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1206). I have no idea what the risk is though...

[i4004]

Re: Newbie question about 110/220 PSU

looking at the old thread this psu has active-pfc.
which means it's adjusting the voltage to what psu needs.
how much extra strain and beating is it taking because it needs to make 300v(for the switchers) from 110 v instead of 220v is a good question.

answer lays in looking at how hot those elements get and what's the voltage on them.
either way, you should get 110v supply and not use that one untill you're sure it can take it for longer time(easiest way should be asking the manufacturer
other way would be inspecting ic datasheet and looking at what components are used and can they take that extra strain..).

btw. i'm not encouraging you to take that thing apart and do anything with it if you're not familiar with electronics etc.
there's a life hazard there, don't touch if you don't know what you're doing.

i think you should get 110v supply untill you know for sure that's safe.
fortrons are good and cheap.

[Scenic]

Re: Newbie question about 110/220 PSU

hmm.. looking at the pictures on the other thread (link in post #4) it says "SS-xxxFS" on the PCB.

searching for "SS-350FS" (as its a 350W PSU) it turns out that its a Full-Range PSU.
i guess that "SS-350ATC" Model is just a SS-350FS with a custom case/housing for that Arctic Cooling Silentium T2 case.

specs for the SS-350FS (in german..)
http://mini-itx.de/Seasonic/SS-350FS-B1.pdf

shitty google translation from german to english of the HTML version of that PDF file.. (woah.. why use the easy way when there's a complicated one?! )
http://translate.google.de/translate...hl=en&ie=UTF-8

[i4004]

Re: Newbie question about 110/220 PSU

indeed

so it should be safe(if it's using the same pcb).

case of wrong sticker, it seems.

[acdalek]

Re: Newbie question about 110/220 PSU

So full range normally means it can cover 110-220v? That's great news if so. I've also put a note to Seasonic so will see what they say and will monitor how hot the PSU gets. Thanks for the help.