Bang and Olufsen from United States to Japan converter?

10 replies

In the United States, the voltage is 100V. In Japan, the voltage is 110V. Would it be possible to get a voltage converter for my United States stereo in order to have my B&O stereo work in Japan.

Its the same?

If it is, then you will probably just need a plug adapter of some sort.

Location: San Francisco

I'm an automotive audio and acoustic engineer. I design loudspeakers and full sound systems for new automobiles. I also dabble with studio, consumer and pro audio projects from time to time.

No. In Japan, the voltage is lower than in the United States.

Tokyo's voltage is at 100v,  ( not 110 v )  BUT the frequency works at 50 Hz.

US frequency operates at 60 Hz. If the internal wiring insulation of any of your electrical devices is cheap or old, ( most likely not B&O )  there could be problems.

Eastern Japan, ( Tokyo, Yokohama, Hokkaido, Tohoku ) operates at 50 Hz,  while western Japan ( Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyushu, Shikoku, and onward to the southwest ) operate at 60hz. The wiring in your device WILL run hotter because the amperage will increase as a result from running a 60 hz device plugged into a 50hz power source. Sensitive equipment may not run properly, and even become damaged. If it is hot enough and the wiring insulation is bad enough, there could be a fire.

Note also that the equipment plugs are similar to US standard flat two-prong, but can either be polarlized or non-polarized.

Specifically, what equipment ( model and age ) are you considering to operate in Japan ?

Thank you for your response.

I wanted to run my Beocom 1 phone and Beosound 9000 stereo (with Beolab 4000 speakers) in Japan. Would these work with a voltage converter?

Your Beocom: check your wall wart, if in= 100 to 240 50/60 Hz no problems.

BS 9000 and BL 4000, bring to your dealer and change the power supply, and keep the old ones if you want to change back again.

Location: Mexico city

Retired
Printing machine technician
Restored various 1960-70 items
Rock and Roll music
Collecting Vinyl
Restored Jukebox Wurlitzer 1050

SWISS_2 wrote:
Tokyo's voltage is at 100v,  ( not 110 v )  BUT the frequency works at 50 Hz.
Japan has 220/240v and 110/100 believe it or not! It depends where you are. There is a historical reason for this and I cannot remember why.

My B&O Icons:

BeoCenter-9500.png BeoCenter-9500.png
Beoremote-Beo4.png Beoremote-Beo4.png
Beovision-10.png Beovision-10.png
Beotime.png Beotime.png
Beosound-9000.png Beosound-9000.png
Beomaster.png Beomaster.png
Beogram-400x.png Beogram-400x.png
Beocenter-2.png Beocenter-2.png

If I can jump in with an additional question to those who know their stuff. I have a BV 7 which I plan to take from Europe to Tokyo, plus BL9's. I think the BL9's are ok by the switchable voltage but the BV7 and BL7.4 I need to have both their power supplies changed. Or alternatively use a transformer to switch the voltage to both before entering the machine. I guess this is maybe better as no impact from 50Hz?

Finally does anyone know if the dealer in Europe can update with japanese PUC's

Sorry if this a dumb question!

G

 

Eliteelectronics;

Thank you for posting the additional information.

1. The Japanese telephone system is different than North America. This information is available on the Internet.

2. I graduated from Waseda University, and lived in Takodanobaba-Tokyo for a number of years. 220-240v was not common to residential electrical service in the cities; I only saw 220-240v & 740 kv for that matter, at a Matsushita factory.

3. B&O items or systems are scarce and highly prized in Japan, and given the Japanese preference for quality standards, the items sell at a high premium. You may already be aware that the founder of Sony, Akio Morita,  proudly owned a B&O system ( B&O: From Vision to Legend, page 525 ).

 

Conclution: Check the V where you are going, check your devices if you can change incoming V yourself or  sign up as silver or gold members and check the manuals on site.

I got my BS 3000 and BL 4000 from Radio Loft Aarhus DK Europe, 120 V 50/60 Hz

Location: Mexico city

Retired
Printing machine technician
Restored various 1960-70 items
Rock and Roll music
Collecting Vinyl
Restored Jukebox Wurlitzer 1050
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