Forum Discussion

Aspirant

Oct 02, 2019

RBK20W Power Supply - Moving US to Europe

Hi, I have seen other posts asking if the Orbi is compatible in Europe and the general answer has been that the power supply is 100-240V and would be fine. My issue is that the label on my Orbi pow...

michaelkenward

Guru - Experienced User

Oct 03, 2019

Adl9128 wrote:
Hi,

I have seen other posts asking if the Orbi is compatible in Europe and the general answer has been that the power supply is 100-240V and would be fine. My issue is that the label on my Orbi power supply only lists 100-120V.

I have tried about half a dozen of those "120 volt" adapters on 240 volts. Netgear and Arlo have both shipped things directly to me from the USA. (Arlo things can still turn up with Netgear adapters.) Not one has gone bang.

Just buy an adapter that accepts the US plug.

If it does go phut – it won't hurt the Orbi, especially if you try it before connecting it to the router – then any generic adapter will work as long as it has the right specs.

You may have problems using a US device in Europe because Netgear locks "NAS" stuff to the wifi bands that are legal in the USA. If you want to use European bands you may have to delve into Telnet territory. But you can clear that hurdle when you reach it.

Adl9128

Aspirant

Oct 03, 2019

Good to hear. I was hoping it was a mislabel on the power supply as an earlier response implied. I’ll give it a shot once we get there...just didn’t want to fry anything by accident without asking first.

michaelkenward
Guru - Experienced User
Oct 03, 2019
Adl9128 wrote:
Good to hear. I was hoping it was a mislabel on the power supply as an earlier response implied.

Probably more a case of covering its derriere for legal reasons. It is easier to slap a 100-120V label on these things than to put them through the testing needed to get approval for a 100-240V label.

I even have a heavy duty adapter for an Orbi outdoor satellite that says 100-120V but has worked for months at 240V. It is just a pity that the bits of bent tinfoil that pass for conductors on US plugs mean that it is a bit wobbly on the mains socket.