Power conversion differences between countries

[isasir]

Does anyone know of a good link that explains the differences between the electrical power ratings of the outlets in diff't countries?

I'm going to Europe in a few days, and I'd like to bring my AA battery charger (for my digital camera) to Europe, but most converters seem to be rather pricey, for what I need it for.

 

[Zim Hosein]

What specific country in Europe are you visiting isasir?

 

[isasir]

Italy and France

 

[Eli]

What exactly do you mean?

Think of it this way. In Europe, everything is like your dryer. You wouldn't want to go plugging your battery charger into your dryer's outlet without some sort of adapter now, would you?

OK, well, you might have a gas dryer.. but whatever.

USA = 120V, 60hz.

Europe = 240(220?)V, 50hz.

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: isasir
Italy and France

Both use 220/50 with the dual poles. It'll run about $18.

 

[kami333]

Check your charger, many are able to handle 100-240v 50-60hz. Then all you need is a $2 plug converter.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: isasir
Does anyone know of a good link that explains the differences between the electrical power ratings of the outlets in diff't countries?

I'm going to Europe in a few days, and I'd like to bring my AA battery charger (for my digital camera) to Europe, but most converters seem to be rather pricey, for what I need it for.

All of europe uses 220V
Countries on the main land use a plug that looks like this (o o)

England has a plug that looks like this { _ | _ }

 

[isasir]

Originally posted by: kami333
Check your charger, many are able to handle 100-240v 50-60hz. Then all you need is a $2 plug converter.

That's what I'm trying to figure out. I don't have the charger with me right now, but there was a bunch of power ratings on the back of it, and there's a good chance it did say 100-240v, 50-60hz on the back. I'd love to be able to just buy a $2 converter.

 

[isasir]

Originally posted by: Eli
What exactly do you mean?

Think of it this way. In Europe, everything is like your dryer. You wouldn't want to go plugging your battery charger into your dryer's outlet without some sort of adapter now, would you?

OK, well, you might have a gas dryer.. but whatever.

USA = 120V, 60hz.

Europe = 240(220?)V, 50hz.

Unfortunately that's the problem. I'm a bit naive with this electrical stuff and even though I shouldn't, my dumb ass might just plug in my charger into my dryer's outlet...

 

[fbrdphreak]

As the others said, check the power rating. If its 220-240 50-60Hz, buy the plug adapter and you're AOK.

 

[isasir]

I assume this would be the adapter I'd need if the power ratings can handle 220V?

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: isasir
I assume this would be the adapter I'd need if the power ratings can handle 220V?

Looks like it...

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: isasir
I assume this would be the adapter I'd need if the power ratings can handle 220V?

Yes

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: isasir
I assume this would be the adapter I'd need if the power ratings can handle 220V?

Yes, but it's not yet in the stores. There was an older special order version of it, but they dropped it and replaced it with a store stock version, but didn't ship it out yet. So yes, that is the correct plug, but no, Radioshack doesn't have any of them.

 

[isasir]

Cool. Too bad no Radio Shacks near me apparently have it. Uh, what's a good alternate store to check?

 

[isasir]

Originally posted by: Sphexi

Originally posted by: isasir
I assume this would be the adapter I'd need if the power ratings can handle 220V?

Yes, but it's not yet in the stores. There was an older special order version of it, but they dropped it and replaced it with a store stock version, but didn't ship it out yet. So yes, that is the correct plug, but no, Radioshack doesn't have any of them.

No wonder any zip code I typed in yielded no results. Why wouldn't such a converter be more popular, so it wouldn't need a special order? It's not like it's uncommon for people from the US to visit Europe.

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: isasir
Cool. Too bad no Radio Shacks near me apparently have it. Uh, what's a good alternate store to check?

Like I said, it's not available. Don't ask me why, I have no idea. It's what's called a D2U product, special order from the stores, yet the warehouses have none.

*shrugs*

Just look for a similar one online, or call a travel agency, they tend to have them.

 

[Czar]

Originally posted by: isasir
Cool. Too bad no Radio Shacks near me apparently have it. Uh, what's a good alternate store to check?

you can probably get them at the airport as well

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: isasir

Originally posted by: Sphexi

Originally posted by: isasir
I assume this would be the adapter I'd need if the power ratings can handle 220V?

Yes, but it's not yet in the stores. There was an older special order version of it, but they dropped it and replaced it with a store stock version, but didn't ship it out yet. So yes, that is the correct plug, but no, Radioshack doesn't have any of them.

No wonder any zip code I typed in yielded no results. Why wouldn't such a converter be more popular, so it wouldn't need a special order? It's not like it's uncommon for people from the US to visit Europe.

It's extremely popular, I used to keep 10+ on hand at all times. Yet the company yanked the one I had in the store and replaced it with an identical unit but through a different method of ordering. They did this a few months ago, and have yet to get it in. Pretty pathetic actually, but nothing new.

http://electricshavershop.com/nwg-1c.htm

Same type of thing, but you can actually get ahold of it.

 

[kami333]

Walmart, travel stores, airport ($$$), maybe even AAA.