Korean Job Discussion Forums

[v88]

Wondering if anyone is well versed with Korean power converters. I need to convert 220v to 120v for a machine that uses 1350W.

1000 KVA equals 1000 watts. Based on that I would use a 2000 KVA converter. However the site seems to be saying that in order to use a 500 watt appliance safely I should use a 1000 KVA unit. Meaning that I should get the 3000 KVA unit instead.

Anyone have much experience with Korean power converters?

[ttompatz]

Your numbers are off. 2000 watts = 2kva not 2000 kva.
volts * amps = watts. k = kilo = 1000. 2 k(ilo)va = 2000 watts

The only problem is the quality of the step down transformer.

If the transformer is light duty then, depending on the peak load from your appliance, you may melt the windings on the transformer (blow it out) when it starts up.

Two issues come into play. Peak loads (what the initial draw is when your appliance fires up) and sustained loads (what it draws to keep running).

If the appliance is something like a motor/compressor then go bigger on the transformer (loads are something like 2700w peak/1350 sustained).

If it is something like a guitar amp then you should be fine (1800w peak/1350 sustained)

You would probably be OK with a 2000 watt (2kva not 2000 kva) transformer powering a 1350 watt electronic device (you still have a 50% buffer for the difference between peak and sustained loads) but not a 1350 watt appliance (you would come up short by about 700 watts at peak loads).

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[v88]

Very informative, thank you very much!

Will be getting the 3KVA unit to be on the safe side. Christ that's a beast compared to my old 1KVA unit.

Found a bunch on Gmarket too. A quick search for 변압기 found units up to 5KVA.

[Elbow]

This is the international converter I have from home http://www.batterybank.com/converters/images/adf1600.jpg

and I've realised that on the side with the korean two-pin prong side they are just on a flat surface, though pictures of Korean outlets appear to be in an indented circle in the wall. I've been trying to look online to see how long the pins are supposed to be on normal plugs (to not much luck ) and I'm now concerned that it won't stay in the wall.

[ttompatz]

[Elbow]

The package/online info says that it IS a step down converter

http://www.110220volts.com/ADF--1600.html

What I'm worried about is that the pins are only 19 mm or whatever but the face they are on is flat so I feel like it won't stick in the wall.

[denverdeath]

[singerdude]

Here is a site with a good explanation of voltage requirements for Korea. I realize it's a little OT from the content of this thread, but I thought it might be helpful anyway.

http://www.adaptelec.com/index.php?main_page=document_general_info&products_id=159