how do you determine if you'll need a power converter when travelling to another country from the USA?

[edprush]

I can't seem to find a good resource that tells if I'll be able to use my 110 volt electrical equipment in a foreign country.

 

[91TTZ]

Look at the power adapter. Most will say "110-220 VAC 50-60 hz" on the back. Those can be used in countries that use the higher voltage. If the adapter just says "110 VAC, 60 hz", then it'll only work here.

 

[spidey07]

Get a travel kit with a transformer. They're cheap.

 

[grrl]

Any guide book like Lonely Planet will tell you. I believe their website has the info too.

 

[xXped0thugXx]

most foreign counties ....european and at least middle eastern at least need adapters to the plug type. I know for a fact middle eastern countries run off of 220-240. IIRC European countries do as well but its been a while since i've been.

 

[jai6638]

Definatley need a converter for Middle east, India, Singapore ( these three countries have similar pins so one converter would do ), New Zealand and Australia. You'll probably need a converter for other countries too..

 

[91TTZ]

The important thing is the power supply. Getting a prong adapter is the easy part.

 

[jai6638]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ
The important thing is the power supply. Getting a prong adapter is the easy part.

Unless its a device that needs a lot of power, the prong adapter is sufficient.. I've used my laptops and other electronic entertainment devices with the prong adapter itself and it was fine..

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: jai6638

Originally posted by: 91TTZ
The important thing is the power supply. Getting a prong adapter is the easy part.

Unless its a device that needs a lot of power, the prong adapter is sufficient.. I've used my laptops and other electronic entertainment devices with the prong adapter itself and it was fine..

Read my original post. Most modern power supplies will accept from 110-220 (240?) volts. But they don't have to, and if you try to plug in a standard 110v power supply into 220, you'll fry the thing instantly.

I'm surprised that you actually plugged those things into the wall without first understanding how it works.

 

[jai6638]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: jai6638

Originally posted by: 91TTZ
The important thing is the power supply. Getting a prong adapter is the easy part.

Unless its a device that needs a lot of power, the prong adapter is sufficient.. I've used my laptops and other electronic entertainment devices with the prong adapter itself and it was fine..

Read my original post. Most modern power supplies will accept from 110-220 (240?) volts. But they don't have to, and if you try to plug in a standard 110v power supply into 220, you'll fry the thing instantly.

I'm surprised that you actually plugged those things into the wall without first understanding how it works.

Heard other's good experiences and decided to try it? Its worked so far and I've been a frequent traveller for the past ten years.

I ran my laptops that I bought from the US as well as other devices for a relatively long time using the plug with no probs at all... I later invested in a surge protector that had differnet plugs in it which made it safer and easier but I digress..

There is a risk, no doubt, but I'm willing to take it considering my sucess rate as well as the sucess rate of many others..

 

[2Xtreme21]

http://www.wikitravel.org lists the voltage level for each country in the facts box on the right of each country's page.

 

[91TTZ]

the information you need is right on your device.

 

[jai6638]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ I'm surprised that people keep posting external sources when the information you need is right on your device.

He's the first person who quoted an external source in this thread..


Sorry, couldnt resist

 

[Mill]

Why can't you make ONE thread for your seventy questions on International Travel?

 

[Number1]

Originally posted by: jai6638

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: jai6638

Originally posted by: 91TTZ
The important thing is the power supply. Getting a prong adapter is the easy part.

Unless its a device that needs a lot of power, the prong adapter is sufficient.. I've used my laptops and other electronic entertainment devices with the prong adapter itself and it was fine..

Read my original post. Most modern power supplies will accept from 110-220 (240?) volts. But they don't have to, and if you try to plug in a standard 110v power supply into 220, you'll fry the thing instantly.

I'm surprised that you actually plugged those things into the wall without first understanding how it works.

Heard other's good experiences and decided to try it? Its worked so far and I've been a frequent traveller for the past ten years.

I ran my laptops that I bought from the US as well as other devices for a relatively long time using the plug with no probs at all... I later invested in a surge protector that had differnet plugs in it which made it safer and easier but I digress..

There is a risk, no doubt, but I'm willing to take it considering my sucess rate as well as the sucess rate of many others..

Ha the good old plug and pray it doesn't blow up technique.
Do you close your eyes everytime you try a new device?

 

[xXped0thugXx]

Originally posted by: jai6638
Definatley need a converter for Middle east, India, Singapore ( these three countries have similar pins so one converter would do ), New Zealand and Australia. You'll probably need a converter for other countries too..

most laptops and their batteries will take 240v.... or less obviously, so like my laptop took it in the middle east , the power supplies are made for travel abroad.

 

[jai6638]

Originally posted by: xXped0thugXx

Originally posted by: jai6638
Definatley need a converter for Middle east, India, Singapore ( these three countries have similar pins so one converter would do ), New Zealand and Australia. You'll probably need a converter for other countries too..

most laptops and their batteries will take 240v.... or less obviously, so like my laptop took it in the middle east , the power supplies are made for travel abroad.

Thats what I'm saying.....

 

[jai6638]

Originally posted by: Number1

Originally posted by: jai6638

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: jai6638

Originally posted by: 91TTZ
The important thing is the power supply. Getting a prong adapter is the easy part.

Unless its a device that needs a lot of power, the prong adapter is sufficient.. I've used my laptops and other electronic entertainment devices with the prong adapter itself and it was fine..

Read my original post. Most modern power supplies will accept from 110-220 (240?) volts. But they don't have to, and if you try to plug in a standard 110v power supply into 220, you'll fry the thing instantly.

I'm surprised that you actually plugged those things into the wall without first understanding how it works.

Heard other's good experiences and decided to try it? Its worked so far and I've been a frequent traveller for the past ten years.

I ran my laptops that I bought from the US as well as other devices for a relatively long time using the plug with no probs at all... I later invested in a surge protector that had differnet plugs in it which made it safer and easier but I digress..

There is a risk, no doubt, but I'm willing to take it considering my sucess rate as well as the sucess rate of many others..

Ha the good old plug and pray it doesn't blow up technique.
Do you close your eyes everytime you try a new device?

no.

 

[Aluvus]

http://kropla.com/electric2.htm

Laptops generally use "world compatible" switching supplies that will handle just about anything.