If you travel to a country that has different wiring standards than your own, it's probably worth your while to invest in a voltage converter or transformer and plug adapters to make sure that you'll be able to use any electrical equipment or electronics that you bring with you. Voltage converters make it possible for you to use an electrical device even if the power supplied doesn't fit its specifications.
Voltage Converters - the Basics
In most of Europe, electricity is generally 220 volts. If you're traveling from North America, Japan or another country that operates on 110-volt electricity, you'll need a voltage converter or voltage transformer to run any electrical equipment that you bring with you from home. In most places, you'll also need a plug adapter that fits the local outlets in order to plug the converter or transformer into the wall. There are, however, a few things of which you should be aware.
Exceptions to 220-Volt Electricity
Sometimes, you'll find hotels that have 110-volt electricity. One quick way to check is to read the top of a light bulb in a fixture. It will have the voltage listed on it. Some better hotels have both 110 and 220-volt outlets available in the bathroom so that you can use your shaver or other personal appliances. You may not always be able to tell, though. One way to get around any uncertainty is to invest in 110v to 220-volt consumer electronics, which can operate on either current. Electrical appliances and electronics that can run on whichever current is supplied are becoming more common and less expensive. Most of them automatically sense the current supplied and transform it if necessary. Others, most often computers, have a switch that you can flip from 110 volts to 220 volts.
A Standard Electrical Kit for Traveling
If you're bringing your electrical appliances with you to Europe, you should put together an electrical kit that will ensure you can plug in your appliances or electronics wherever you are. Your kit should include a voltage converter or voltage transformer, plug adapters to fit a variety of plugs, batteries, rechargeable batteries and a battery charger.
Voltage Converters
If you're traveling with a hair dryer, electric curlers, a coffee maker or any other electrical appliance that heats up or that uses a mechanical motor, you'll want to pack a voltage converter. They're designed to be used for short periods of time and to deliver bursts of power. You'll need to be sure that the voltage converter you choose is rated for the wattage that your appliance needs.
Voltage Transformers
Voltage converters won't work for electronics such as computers, laptops and televisions. For those, you'll need a voltage transformer, which is designed to deliver a steady stream of electricity over a long period of time.
Rather than carry along a whole array of current converters, you might choose a step up & down voltage converter transformer, which will supply the electricity that your devices need.
Another way to get around packing a whole electrical conversion kit is to choose dual voltage appliances and electronics. You'll find a variety of dual voltage personal appliances and 110v to 220 volt consumer electronics available online.
Voltage Converters - the Basics
In most of Europe, electricity is generally 220 volts. If you're traveling from North America, Japan or another country that operates on 110-volt electricity, you'll need a voltage converter or voltage transformer to run any electrical equipment that you bring with you from home. In most places, you'll also need a plug adapter that fits the local outlets in order to plug the converter or transformer into the wall. There are, however, a few things of which you should be aware.
Exceptions to 220-Volt Electricity
Sometimes, you'll find hotels that have 110-volt electricity. One quick way to check is to read the top of a light bulb in a fixture. It will have the voltage listed on it. Some better hotels have both 110 and 220-volt outlets available in the bathroom so that you can use your shaver or other personal appliances. You may not always be able to tell, though. One way to get around any uncertainty is to invest in 110v to 220-volt consumer electronics, which can operate on either current. Electrical appliances and electronics that can run on whichever current is supplied are becoming more common and less expensive. Most of them automatically sense the current supplied and transform it if necessary. Others, most often computers, have a switch that you can flip from 110 volts to 220 volts.
A Standard Electrical Kit for Traveling
If you're bringing your electrical appliances with you to Europe, you should put together an electrical kit that will ensure you can plug in your appliances or electronics wherever you are. Your kit should include a voltage converter or voltage transformer, plug adapters to fit a variety of plugs, batteries, rechargeable batteries and a battery charger.
Voltage Converters
If you're traveling with a hair dryer, electric curlers, a coffee maker or any other electrical appliance that heats up or that uses a mechanical motor, you'll want to pack a voltage converter. They're designed to be used for short periods of time and to deliver bursts of power. You'll need to be sure that the voltage converter you choose is rated for the wattage that your appliance needs.
Voltage Transformers
Voltage converters won't work for electronics such as computers, laptops and televisions. For those, you'll need a voltage transformer, which is designed to deliver a steady stream of electricity over a long period of time.
Rather than carry along a whole array of current converters, you might choose a step up & down voltage converter transformer, which will supply the electricity that your devices need.
Another way to get around packing a whole electrical conversion kit is to choose dual voltage appliances and electronics. You'll find a variety of dual voltage personal appliances and 110v to 220 volt consumer electronics available online.