🚀 go-pugleaf

On 2008-11-08, john downie2 <bluestar@mail.invalid> wrote:
> my brother wishes wishes to take an Acer Aspire One mini-notebook to japan,
> from London, u.k. .
>
> He already has in his house a lead with a japanese type mains plug on one
> end and the normal type two pin femail type plug (the same as often goes
> into radios, etc) that will go into the computer transformer.
>
> But we see that the Aspire One has an additional *third* hole alongside the
> usual two hole plug that goes into the computer transformer. The three holes
> forming a triangle shape.
>
> Is it alright to use our existing two hole Japanese type lead and then only
> use *two* out of the three pins coming from the aspire transformer, please?

No.  If the power 'brick' has three pins, it has been designed to require 
three connectors.

> My guess is that the third hole is only an *earth* connection. although this
> might be an additional safety feature, our main concern is whether it might
> do any damage to use the two pin only lead?

"Only" an earth?  Sheesh!

> I have emailed the technical services department and the spares department,
> but neither will answer the question, only want to sell me one of their
> three hole leads. Thanks for your advice.

Assuming that your existing power brick can accomodate Japanese mains 
voltage and frequency, you will need an earthed Japanese plug to fit the 
Japanese mains socket.  Which sounds like what the technical services 
department are trying to convince you of.

I think Japan uses 100V mains at either 50 or 60 Hz depending on location.

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