Only Microsoft can make a small utility worse.

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Originally Posted by Davadvice

my house supply is 240 volts. when i plug in my computer the Kettle lead goes in to the rear of the pc. in turn the PSU "transforms" for voltage from 240V to 12v that is why it's a trasnformer.

i have a transformer in my mobile phone charger. and some of the LV lighting in my house use trasformers.

I actualy work in the electrcity industry and i understand you point however anything that reduces the voltage of a supply is known in the UK as a transformer. we have large sub-stations that contain transformers these recieve 410V and reduce the supply to normal housholds to 240V i beliver that is what you are refering to.

These trasnformers generate a great deal of heat and can cause fires although the risk is small a risk still exists and that is not acceptable as i have kids at home.

David

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Ah, now we've reached a point where we understand each other. Granted I'm not in the electrical industry so I don't know everything I'd like to, but I did take 12 electrical classes a couple years ago that were based on House wiring, electric motors and circuitry so I know a few things. Here in the US my classes and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) book referred to transformers as the use of fluid to step down/up the voltage in an electric circuit, which are these guys:
http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/phd...8/AA048909.jpghttp://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/phd/PHD168/31138.jpghttp://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/THK...1/A0002101.jpg
The one's in appliances (computers, coffee makers, etc..) and most machinery that use dry capacitors and resisters (both of which are reliable, safe and explosion free) are simply voltage converters but aren't labeled as a transformer for whatever reason.

Plus over here the typical voltages are 120v (houses, businesses, etc), 240v (factories, farms, etc) and 480v+ are for much larger applications and aren't found in residential areas. Since you have a house with 240v and your computers use dry capacitors and resistors you don't have to worry about them exploding when the pop, though when one does go, you have a funky smell to air out (I've fried one or two).

The capacitors I deal with are the dry and oil based ones for 240v lines, but those are the ones on the motors to the fans and belts across the street on the farm in the grain bins, elevator legs and corn/bean dryer.

I know what you're getting at with the kids at home thing, I've always gotta keep an eye out for my 5 year old son when we're working with the big equipment on the farm.

How on earth has a thread about the microsoft defrag utility ended up with pictures of power stations or whatever they are in it :D

i think it happened discussing letting defrag run overnight, and fears of computer induced fires

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Originally Posted by kleinma

i think it happened discussing letting defrag run overnight, and fears of computer induced fires

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Yup, I just hope the guy doesn't leave his fridge, electric stove, clothes dryer or coffee maker plugged in all the time, especially overnight, those are much higher risks than a computer.

I unplug my alarm clock at night for fear that it will wake me up in the morning ;)

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Originally Posted by JuggaloBrotha

Yup, I just hope the guy doesn't leave his fridge, electric stove, clothes dryer or coffee maker plugged in all the time, especially overnight, those are much higher risks than a computer.

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Yea especially the refrigerator. Just unplug that every night and you'll save a lot of money on electricity. If you're on a diet having spoiled food will discourage you from eating.

yeah yeah, lol

FYI. i used to leave my 2 PC's on all night and my tv on standby a number of year ago and when i tested it by taking meter readings i found that i halfed the consumption of my mothers elec.

i'm no eco warrior either just like to save some cash.