What is the electricity in the FSU?

[LatinSwede]

This propably sounds rediculous to ask, from a seasoned traveler to Ukraine.  It never came to mind, until I was checking out portable DVD players at best buy.  They sell voltage converters for 220 & 210 to the American 110.  The main reason I'm considering buying one, is to kill boredom on transatlantic flights, and possible lengthy layovers.  The movies on the plane usually suck, or edited to mush if it something I like.

[Michelangelo]

Most things work in the US or Ukraine now. Ukraine is 220, so you just need the plug adapter.  You can grab one at any electronic store or airport shops. And on some flights, like American, there is a power adaptor in coach, every third row.  That way you can watch good movies all the way over the big pond 

[Phil dAmore]

Electricity:  220 volt, 50 hz, single-phase two-wire ungrounded system.

In Russia it is notorious for fluctuations and spikes.  I monitor mine constanty (I have a lot of free time) and it will vary from 200 -240 volts depending on the time of the day.  It's what we electric buffs call 'dirty current'  Bring a voltage stabilizer and filter!!

Please remember that voltage converters change only the voltage and not the frequency!  This is not really a problem unless you are trying to power something with a clock in it that was designed to run at 60hz , in which case the clock will lose 10 minutes every hour.  However this only affects items that are plugged directly into the wall socket.  Items like laptops or DVD players have their own internal power supply and will not be affected by the frequency shift.

[Wayne]

The last post seems like what I remember.  The outlets have two round holes, and you can turn the plug over and it still fits.  So there could not be a grounded leg!  You know what I mean, in USA, with a two flat parallel prong plug, one side is longer for the grounded wire.  Some appliances are internallly grounded to the wider prong.  Of course, power tools usually have three prongs, with the round one connected to a seperate ground. 

FSU power is much more dangerous than in USA!  It is also very unstable.  For example, Oksana had a big power surge in her apartment in Krasnoyarsk that blew out her frig and TV! It also killed the adapter/charger component of her laptop, so she had to get it replaced.  The laptop itself was OK. 

After that happened, I told her to get power protection devices for all her appliances.  Also note, since the control of heat is not normally available in each apartment, many people use electric heaters in Winter.  Since the utility rate is people charged, instead by meter, they don't care how much electric they use.  This can lower the voltage when many people are using the electric heaters.  The eltreme cold weather in Siberia can cause the electric and telephone wires to shrink in length and rip off the poles, so failure is common in Winter there. 

You are correct about the fregency being 50 hz instead of 60 hz.  However, many countries use 50 hz and frequency inverters are available.  In Canada, commercial power would be 575 volts/ 3 phase/ 50 hertz, while in USA it would be 460 volts/ 3 phase/ 60 hertz. 

If your woman is moving to USA, tell her not to bring any hair dryers, irons, TVs or anything electric with her.  Also, video tapes use a different format, so US players cannot play them unless you get a very expensive VCR that uses all formats. 

So, if you woman is packing to come to USA, advise her what not to bring with her.

[Ste]

I've said this before and I'll say it again, the British Plug is the best plug in the World. Three strong milled brass pins, one earth and longer to ensure earth in err, earthed before power is connected.

It's a chunky, square-set plug, oozing quality and assuredness. Feels good to touch, heavy in the hand, the touch of the pins, long, hard and protuding, tingling with electrical excitement.

You can bang it the socket hard with rough force, or you can slide it in slowly with delicate ease. Either way, satisfaction is guaranteed. Suits you Sir!

Ste, Convicted Plug-Fondler

[ConnerVT]

There actually is a grounded Russian AC receptacle and matching plug.  There is a grounding surface at 6 and 12 o'clock (if the power pins are at 3 and 6) along the edge of the plug.  You will usually find it in the kitchen (where higher powered appliances are located).  But unless the home has been recently built/remodeled, you probably won't see one.  Also, I would wager that many times that ground is never connected to anything, anyway.

My wife initially didn't understand my excitement the first time she took me to the equivalent of a Russian hardware store (we needed a new filter for the water jug).  Now, it is difficult for me to get HER out of Home Depot and Lowes...   

[Bruno]

The outlets have two round holes, and you can turn the plug over and it still fits.  So there could not be a grounded leg! 

The CIS standart plug is named "Gost 7396", similar to the German model Schuko



It has two earthing clips on the sides of the plug instead of a female or male earth contact. The Gost 7396 connection system is, of course, symmetrical.

More info at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_AC_power_plugs_and_sockets

EDIT : ConnerVT, you are more fast that me 

[Ste]

Rubbish - look at this, Corrr!!!

Ste

[BC]

The ones in India are really perverse.. sorta like someone giving the 'finger'

[Michelangelo]

I've said this before and I'll say it again, the British Plug is the best plug in the World. Three strong milled brass pins, one earth and longer to ensure earth in err, earthed before power is connected.

It's a chunky, square-set plug, oozing quality and assuredness. Feels good to touch, heavy in the hand, the touch of the pins, long, hard and protuding, tingling with electrical excitement.

You can bang it the socket hard with rough force, or you can slide it in slowly with delicate ease. Either way, satisfaction is guaranteed. Suits you Sir!

Ste, Convicted Plug-Fondler

I hate carrying this big heavy clunker in my bad when I go to London.  Hey Ste-- tell your fellow citizens to get with the rest of Europe with electricity and the euro :-)   It would make it a whole lot better for us tourist 

[LatinSwede]

In a recent letter to my beloved, I already advies her to leave all her appliances at mama's house.  As well, I told her before we leave to give her cel phone away to a family member or a very good lady freind.  When gets to my side of the ocean, we'll be taking a special trip to Wal-Mart for her lady things.

[ronin308]

Wayne how they pay for power varies widely.  My fiance and her entire apartment complex are on meters.  Her apartment was disconnected with them during the winter when her neighbor found out the maintenance guy accidently connected to the neighbor.

You want to be scared look at a fuse box.  Most have been "retrofitted" with a copper wire spanning the fuse.  My favorite one was looking at a commercial box with the fuses removed and very large conductor wire in it's place.

We have various gremlins this summer when it came to the outlets working in the apartment or not.  Wiring is very scary there indeed.

[Wayne]

The reason I ask about how the electric usage is charged, is because Oksana wants to keep her apartment in Russia, at least for now.  I did not see any meters!  When the apartment is empty, there should be very little electric usage.  It would be best if there were a meter and the power could be turned off when they leave Russia.  Also, the heat is not controled by a thermostat; it is some kind of steam or hot water common system. 

It would not be fair if they charge her the same for utilities as if she was living there.

Actually, Yana's Grandfather owns the apartment where they live; and he leaves it to Yana.  I think that is the reason why Oksana wants to keep this apartment.  Also, the furniture will all stay in the apartment for now. 

So, they will probably need to keep up the utility payments.  We would need to find a way to do that from USA.

[ronin308]

Wayne if it's flat rate system then you should simply be able to prepay for 12 months, since I'm sure you'll probably be back by then to pay for another 12 months.

In my fiance's building the meters and fuse box are located in the stairwell outside the from door.  Unlike the US the meter is behind the door of the panel so you can't see it without opening it.

[Elen]

It would not be fair if they charge her the same for utilities as if she was living there.

"They" are rather fair in that matter If she could prove that she actually does not live in the appartment then she would be free from payment for hot and cold water and for scavenging. Heating payment would be the same as it's impossible to froze particular flat in appartment. Bill for electricy would depend on meter's indication.
But she should be "fair" as well and if it's not her who is registrated in that flat( exactly registrated but not owns flat)  but her grandfather then payment for the flat would be the same as "theoreticaly" grandfatyher still uses that services.

[LatinSwede]

Well I think I found something else I want to buy for travel.  The other day, I went into a music store.  They've got mini Marshal amplifiers, no bigger than my CD walkman.  This is perfect for travel, and I was thinking about taking my V along, to practice in my rented Odessa flat.  My listen to other people's music when you can make your own?  A friend of mine has one just like it, and it sounds great (considering the size).  It's just a $50 bill out of my pocket for the amateur musician/failed rock star in me.

[Phil dAmore]

Re:  metering and charges:  My apartment has a meter, but in the 4 years I've owned it no one has ever come to read the thing.  Every 6 months or so I just take 1,000 rubles down to the electric office and they leave me alone.

I have never received an electric bill

[andrewfi]

Phil ~ You got it easy!

But at least I can pay over the internet. I tend to ignore the bills and every few months send them an amount that equals about 30 Euro per month. But once a year or so we get a woman comes round to read all the meters in the biulding.

[Kuna]

OK... so... ummmm.... if I read the wikipedia article properly I need to make sure I get a power adapter that is unique for FSU because FSU plugs WILL fit into German sockets but German plugs WON'T fit into FSU sockets???

Of course I'm coming from Oz so I'll need the adapter in both Germany and Ukraine.

Kuna

[Turboguy]

The power in the FSU is 220 with two round pegs spaced about 1" apart. 

[BillyB]

LatinSwede,

Look on the back or bottom of every electrical device you plan on taking to the FSU. If it says 110-220, then you don't need a converter, just a plug adaptor. If it only says 110, then you need to look at the wattage. There are two converters generally sold. One is for 50 watts or less electronics such as radios, clocks etc... and a converter for 50 watts or more such as hairdryers. For wattage info, check the back or bottom of your electronics.

Phil, another source of dirty power is generators. Don't plug computers equipment or printers into a generator or you may need to buy a new one.

For an experiment, I took a cheap clock rated for 110v and plugged it in a 220v socket. It worked for 10 minutes then it started smoking and then quit working when it started melting. Don't take chances Know your electronics and get the proper converter as needed.

[Turboguy]

I don't mean to start another WalMart Controversy but they do sell a converter with a slide switch from low voltage to high voltage with  4 or 5 adaptors for about $ 12.00.   I have one and it seems to work great.

[I/O]

OK... so... ummmm.... if I read the wikipedia article properly I need to make sure I get a power adapter that is unique for FSU because FSU plugs WILL fit into German sockets but German plugs WON'T fit into FSU sockets???

Of course I'm coming from Oz so I'll need the adapter in both Germany and Ukraine.

Kuna

Kuna:  There is some ambiguity here.  You need the adapter with 2 round pins as has been suggested above.  But just to create some more confusion, there is 2 types of these.  They are the same pattern and dimensions but have very slightly different gauges of pins.  Get the one with the slightly lighter gauge pins if you find a choice.  It will work fine in either or.  If you can't, the heavier gauge pins will usually fit anyway, but sometimes need a little encouragement.  

As Au current is all 240 v X 50HZ you will have no problems even when you strike 250v because it is 40HZ.  Everything I have seen anywhere in the FSU is 220 v.  I can't believe that anyone would plug 110v appliances into 220v regardless of the wattage without a converter and not expect smoke. 


I/O

[Kuna]

Thanks I/O,

It was the different gauge pins that got me thinking because I'll need an adapter in Germany as well as in FSU (I take it Latvia will have the same plug requirements as UKR).

I'll have a look for the one with the lighter gauge pins because I read that it will also work in Germany.

Hmmm... call me a big girl but I'm a bit wary of electricity after having an iron burst into flames while holding it once...  so I'd probably prefer not to "encourage" the plug to fit the wall.   

Cheers,

Kuna

[Turboguy]

That is correct, there are two different diameters of the round pins.  Most adapter kits come with both.  If you are trying to plug the fat ones into the small holes they just won't go and the thin plugs in the fat holes tend to fall out and you have to prop them up to use them.   You might find it worth while to get an extra set of adapters just to save changing them over.  I have left overs from the kits I have worn out and it comes in handy just to leave the adapter on the plug.