Pow_22 Posted December 3 Share Posted December 3 I recently purchased an Ampeg SVT III Non Pro (hybrid - valve pre, solid state power) and noticed when trying to date it using the serial number that it was made for the European market at 220v. Is it safe to use this in the UK without modification or step down transformers? A google search varies from 'its fine' to 'your house will set on fire and burn all your loved ones alive'! I did notice that the 12AX7's get particularly hot compared to other hybrids I've had but some suggest these old Ampegs apply real life voltage to their pre's so that may explain that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huge Hands Posted December 3 Share Posted December 3 Most stuff nowadays is 220v to align with Europe. Although UK used to be quoted as 240V, once you get a few yards from a substation, it is usually dropped to 220 - 230 anyway. The average nowadays seems to be around 230v from what I have seen. The only time I have ever seen stuff suffer with over-voltage in the UK where a local substation on private land had been boosted to 250v to try and maintain supply to buildings much further along the road, and computerised stuff near it was crashing, but nothing dangerous. PS I am not a qualified electrician but have dealt with it a lot over the years. I'm sure others on here know the regs better tan me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyJ Posted December 3 Share Posted December 3 (edited) Here in the Netherlands we're on 230V too, since 1989. Prior to that we had 220V. 230V is pretty much universal for all of Europe these days, including the UK, according to Wikipedia (if it says so on the internet it is obviously true! 😞 Mains electricity - Wikipedia Edited December 3 by LeftyJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted December 3 Share Posted December 3 Indeed, anything suitable for mainland Europe is suitable in the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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