If you travel to other countries frequently, then you realize what a hassle it is to take small appliances or electronics with you due to voltage differences. One country might use a standard of 110 to 120 volts while another might have a voltage range of 210 to 230 volts. In these cases, voltage converters (often called voltage transformers) can help solve the problem and save you money when traveling.
Voltage differences can make it difficult to take along needful items such as hairdryers, irons, electric shavers, alarm clocks, and even entertainment products such as DVD players, VCRs, or TVs. All electrical products require a certain amount of voltage to operate. Most manufacturers develop products based on the standard voltage for the particular country where the items will be sold. Without the proper voltage, these items are useless in other countries.
Even code free DVD players (region free) do not always have the correct voltage for where you are traveling. Though these might be designed for PAL or NTSC formats, this doesn't mean the voltage will match the standard range for the country you plan to visit. To enhance your entertainment even further, you might also want to take along a multisystem TV, which will possibly require a voltage converter.
What is a Voltage Converter?
A voltage converter is a device used to increase or reduce the amount of voltage going from an electrical item to an outlet. It allows for the use of a product from one geographical region to another region when the standard voltage ranges differ. Some voltage converters double the amount of voltage (step up) while others cut it by half (step down). Many converters today can do both.
When buying a voltage converter, find out the standard voltage of the hotel where you plan to lodge. You'll need to know the voltage of your electrical appliance as well as the voltage of the outlets in that particular country. A step up voltage converter will convert the voltage from 110 volts to 230 volts. A step down converter will convert the voltage from 230 volts to 110 volts. Converters are labeled to display their capabilities, such as "110V to 220V Converter."
Voltage converters also vary by the amount of wattage, which can be more or less with different types of appliances. Non-heating items and electric shavers require only a 50-watt voltage converter while items that heat up (such as curling irons, clothes irons, and hair dryers) will likely need at least a 1600-watt converter.
If you plan to take with you a multisystem TV or a multisystem LCD TV, you'll need a voltage converter that is more powerful than the wattage indicated at the rear of your TV set. This is because TVs create a surge when turned on and this could damage the converter. Remember - always turn your converter to the correct voltage before plugging it in!
Check the wattage needed for other larger electronics such as your region free or code free DVD player, VCR, computer, CD player, or even a camcorder. When buying a voltage converter, be sure to get other accessories you'll need with it such as plug end adaptors (for various types of outlets in other countries). You might also want to invest in a universal surge suppressor. Some brand names for voltage converters include Simran, Regvolt, Travelarts, Tripplite, and others.
Electrical problems should be the least of your worries when traveling! A voltage converter can save you time and money when traveling. You can take along all your favorite electrical items and avoid buying new ones when you arrive at your destination. Go online for affordable voltage converters or transformers, multisystem TVs, code free DVD players, and more.
When traveling to another country, you'll need to know what type of voltage converters, or voltage transformers, and plug adapters to take for your electrical products. Items such as hair dryers, electric shavers, irons, coffee makers, TV, VCR, or DVD players all require power to operate. Unfortunately, the power voltage available is not always what's needed. In this case, you'll need either an 110v to 220v voltage converter or a 220v to 110v converter.
Let's take a look at the various types of converters and adapters available today.
Type of Voltage Converters
There are two main types of voltage converters - step up or step down. Step up converters will convert the power to a higher voltage than what is shown on the appliance. For instance, an electric shaver made in the U.S. works with the standard 110 volt outlet. With a step up converter, it can be used with a 220 volt outlet in another country. Step down converters do just the opposite.
Wattage and Voltage Converters
Wattage typically determines what type of voltage converter you will need in terms of power. For smaller electronics such as electric shavers that are non-heating products, a 50-watt converter will do. For heated electronics such as curling irons, hair dryers, irons, and coffee makers, a 1600-watt converter will be needed. If you feel the quality of power will be an issue, it's a good idea to buy a universal surge suppressor along with your voltage converter.
For your computer, CD player, camcorder, TV, VCR, or DVD, voltage converters can be used according to the wattage power needed. But keep in mind that there are various formats used for television programming and films (VHS or DVD) that may not work with your product.
A TV will need a more powerful voltage converter than what is indicated on the back of the set because a TV causes a power surge when it is first turned on. Many newer electronics in these categories are able to work with multiple voltage outlets. Some electronics contain a simple switch that controls the voltage output. Just be sure to turn the switch to the correct voltage for the country you're visiting - BEFORE plugging it in. There are also code free and region free players and TVs that will work fine in other countries.
A Variety of Adapters
Not only will you need voltage converters for traveling overseas, but plug end adapters as well. Since many countries have numerous types of outlets, it's wise to carry a variety of adapters with you. Some adapter types you might encounter include flat blade, flat blade with grounding pin, round pin, round pins with ground, round pin plug and receptacle with male grounding pin, "Schuko" plug, rectangular blade plug, oblique flat blades, round pins with spade ground, "South African" plug with oversized pin. Though adapters make the plug fit properly into the outlet, they will not convert the voltage.
Some popular brand names for voltage converters and adapters include Franzus, Tripplite, Kensington, Electro-Sensors, Horlick, Devar, Visicomm, Travelarts, Dataforth, Avtron, and many others.
With so many great online resources, you can easily surf the Web to find the voltage converters and adapters you need. Now you can travel without leaving your frequently used electronics behind!