We've managed to get an ultasound machine to donate to a clinic in Zambia. It runs on 110. What do I need to get to ensure they can use it in Zambia?

A transformer that will handle the power requirments (watts) of the machine.

John

Scott,

Sadie ordered all kinds of medical equipment when she ran the clinic in Dillingham, AK. She suggests that you direct all your questions to the manufacturer of the ultrasound. Because it is a piece medical equipment there may be more issues to consider than just what current it runs on.

Mark

Mark is correct. You need to find out if the machine can operate on 50 Hertz as that is the frequency in Zambia. The label on the machine should give it's wattage. The other question is, does the caregiver at the village clinic know how to interpret the ultrasound data?

John

I'll check with the manufactuerer and on the label. It comes with an instruction manual and Laura DuPlooy says they are in the process of opening a new maternity clinic at Tondwa so they definetly want it.

This is turning into a project. The company that made the ultrasound is ADR and the model of the machine is 2130. ADR has merged with a company named Advanced Technology Laboratories and I can't find either.

On the machine it says: 80 va max (65w).

Then, under the heading of "Fuse" it says: 100/120 v 1 amp T and 220/210 v 500 m AT

This is Swahili to me. Any help?

I am a bit of a novice in this area. My only experience has been taking a 110 volt sewing machine over along with a "step down" converter from these guys: Voltage converters

I wish that I could read the tag on the machine, but from this part of your post

quote:

100/120 v 1 amp

I would say that the machine is rated for 100 to 120 volt (which we all call "110 volt") at 1 amp. Multiplying volts(110) by amps(1) you get 110 watts. I think this is correct.

This is the same wattage as the sewing machinge that I took over. I opted for the 300 watt converter as I did not want to have to worry about the converter being able to hold up to years of use.

The only problem that I think you need to worry about is the fact that we use 50Mhz and they use 60mhz(or is it the other way around? ) The converter can't compensate for that. It did not seem to affect the sewing machine but your ultrasound machine would be much more tempermental I would think. The only person I would trust to give you an answer on this would be a tech/engineer who works for the manufacturer.

Jason

quote:

Originally posted by SBT:
This is turning into a project. The company that made the ultrasound is ADR and the model of the machine is 2130. ADR has merged with a company named Advanced Technology Laboratories and I can't find either.

On the machine it says: 80 va max (65w).

Then, under the heading of "Fuse" it says: 100/120 v 1 amp T and 220/210 v 500 m AT

This is Swahili to me. Any help?

As they seem to have mentioned both 110 and 220 volts and what current is drawn, I would assume the machine can operate on both voltage.

Just make sure you set the switch on the right one before switching it on.

Nice catch Saeed.

I believe he is correct.

A useful site for electrical power specs and plug types worlwide is:

http://kropla.com/electric.htm

As noted by 30ott6, the real issue is 50 Hertz. Most of the world operates on 50 Hertz. North American grids operate at 60 Hertz. If I remember correctly, Hertz is the term indicating the number of revolutions per second by the generator rotor. Some devices can operate at varying cycles or hertz. If the device has electric motors designed for 60 Hertz, I think you've got a problem. You will need to locate the manufacturer or someone in the business of servicing the machine to learn the operating parameters.

Electronic circuits designed for 60 HZ will not operate correctly on power with the frequency of 50 HZ. A sewing machine or other electric motors may be able to but not electronic devices.

John

I'm not a doctor but, I am a project manager for an electrical contractor. I currently have two new hospital projects in the West Texas area. I can assure you that every piece of medical equipment is different depending on the manufacturer.
Most electronic equipment will have a frequency convertor built into the piece of equipment. It maybe as simple as flipping a switch and making sure that the equipment has the correct plug convertor.
Ryan

Unfortunately, while you can convert the voltage you can't convert the frequency. Contrary what was mentioned above, electric motors are seriously affected by this and do not operate normally, eventually burning out. If however the device runs internally on DC rather than AC and internally (or externally) the input is first converted to DC than it is not an issue. This is the case with portable computers for instance. The internal electronics are all DC, the AC input only charges a battery/convertor which produces direct current and usually they can be plugged into any 110V or 220V source.

SBT
My brother-in-law is a senior engineer at ATL. PM me if you wish, maybe I can get some inside help.
Brice

Yes, frequency can be converted. Here is a website for you.
http://www.elect-spec.com/freqchgr_a.htm

Thanks all for you comments and advice. Based on the age of the technology, lack of parts availability and conversion problems, the ultrasound will not be going on safari. But, an SCI blue bag will!

Excellent move Bwana!

I had a similar experience back in 1997 trying to give a mammo unit to Zambia (for the teaching hospital in Kitwe). Not so much as electrical problems as an unwillingness to want the thing (I was told that "healthcare was just not a priority"). At any rate, the South Africans gladly took it, although there were some radiation issues with it initially.