Accidentally switching power supply's input voltage switch?

[Poobah1]

Hello,

I've recently ordered a BBE Supa Charger power supply, which has a switch that allows you to toggle between 95-120V and 210-240V input voltages. I live in Australia, and will be operating the power supply in 240V mode, but I'm a bit worried about the consequences associated with having it in 120V mode while still running off a standard 240V power source. I certainly have no plans on putting the switch on the wrong setting, but seeing that the switch is easily accessible, I don't like the thought of it accidentally being bumped to the 120V setting and causing problems.

Would this cause any damage to the power supply or the effects running off it? Would it just half the current output?

[PJSShearer]

With luck it'll have some kind of protection built in - but to be sure I'd gaffer tape the switch in the 210-240 position.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by PJSShearer

With luck it'll have some kind of protection built in - but to be sure I'd gaffer tape the switch in the 210-240 position.

or you could make up a little plate that screws in to immobilize the switch.....a lot of gear comes with one so you may be ok

[JohnMCA72]

Or, open up the case & bypass the switch entirely.

JM

[phxlbrmpf]

Yeah, I'd deactivate the switch entirely if I could because it's kind of bound to attract stupid accidents. My band's drummer's old PC had a power supply with one of those switches and he accidentally flipped it and fried his PC completely.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

+ 1000 for what has already been said, especially about the immobilizing plate or deactivating the switch.

If the supply is set to improper input voltage, all sorts of damage can occur depending of the PSU design.

A fault mode would be the best scenario, unfortunately also the rarest.

The most likely scenario on a regular PSU would be that the appliance would give up the ghost first, then the regulator on the PSU. Something will give in any case.

IME only of course.

Regards
Sam

[Poobah1]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I don't know much about electronics or have much experience in it, so I'll look into immobilising the switch. If I remember, I'll let you know how it goes.

[ggunn]

A little dab of hot glue on the switch works well. It will stick to plastic but doesn't get hot enough to melt it, so it's a pretty durable but reversible modification.