Overseas travel involves a lot of little adjustments - time differences, customs, language differences and more - but you shouldn't have to do without your favorite shaver or curling iron. Unfortunately, thanks to the differences in electrical circuitry standards around the world, you may have to forego those little homely comforts unless you invest in a voltage transformer that will allow you to plug your US appliances and personal care electronics into European or Asian electrical outlets. Choosing the right voltage transformer, sometimes called a voltage converter, is important to keep from damaging your appliance-or shorting out the electrical circuits when you plug it in. Keeping these five things in mind will help you choose a voltage transformer that suits your needs.
What is a Voltage Transformer?
A voltage transformer is an electrical device that increases or decreases the amount of voltage delivered from the electrical outlet to the item you plug into it. This is necessary because different parts of the world have different standard voltages.
When Do You Need a Voltage Transformer?
Usually, manufacturers will make products based on the standard voltage for the country or region in which they'll be sold. In the U.S., for instance, most standard outlets deliver 110v to 120v, so most electronics and small appliances are built to use 110 to 120 volts of electricity. If you take those appliances to Europe, where most countries use a 210v to 220v standard outlet, you risk damaging your electronics when you plug them into outlets that deliver too much electricity for them to handle. Likewise, if you purchase a DVD player in South Korea, which is split between 110v and 220v, you may need a converter when you get it back to the U.S.
What Kind of Voltage Transformer Do You Need?
Voltage transformers come in several different varieties. The one you choose will depend on the difference between your appliance and the voltage of the outlet. In general, there are two kinds of transformers - step up voltage converters and step down voltage converters. If your appliance is a 110v and your outlet is a 220v, you'll need a step up voltage transformer converter. If your appliance uses 220v and your outlet delivers 110v, you'll need a step down voltage transformer converter. In some cases, you can buy a step up and step down transformer converter, which can increase or decrease the voltage, depending on the settings.
What Else Do You Need to Know?
In addition to knowing the voltage your appliance is designed to use, you also need to know how many watts of electricity it requires. You'll usually find this information on the back of the appliance, or stamped somewhere on it. Converters are rated by their wattage capacity - the highest amount of wattage it can deliver. Some appliances-coffee makers, for example, or televisions-may have surge periods where they use considerably more wattage than their labels suggest. For this reason, you should always choose a converter that can handle at least 50 percent more wattage than your appliance requires.
What Else Will I Need In Order to Use My Appliances?
Different countries also have different plug and outlet configurations. Even countries that share a standard voltage may have different styles of plugs. In addition to the voltage transformer itself, you may also need plug adapters so that you can plug your converter into the wall.
What is a Voltage Transformer?
A voltage transformer is an electrical device that increases or decreases the amount of voltage delivered from the electrical outlet to the item you plug into it. This is necessary because different parts of the world have different standard voltages.
When Do You Need a Voltage Transformer?
Usually, manufacturers will make products based on the standard voltage for the country or region in which they'll be sold. In the U.S., for instance, most standard outlets deliver 110v to 120v, so most electronics and small appliances are built to use 110 to 120 volts of electricity. If you take those appliances to Europe, where most countries use a 210v to 220v standard outlet, you risk damaging your electronics when you plug them into outlets that deliver too much electricity for them to handle. Likewise, if you purchase a DVD player in South Korea, which is split between 110v and 220v, you may need a converter when you get it back to the U.S.
What Kind of Voltage Transformer Do You Need?
Voltage transformers come in several different varieties. The one you choose will depend on the difference between your appliance and the voltage of the outlet. In general, there are two kinds of transformers - step up voltage converters and step down voltage converters. If your appliance is a 110v and your outlet is a 220v, you'll need a step up voltage transformer converter. If your appliance uses 220v and your outlet delivers 110v, you'll need a step down voltage transformer converter. In some cases, you can buy a step up and step down transformer converter, which can increase or decrease the voltage, depending on the settings.
What Else Do You Need to Know?
In addition to knowing the voltage your appliance is designed to use, you also need to know how many watts of electricity it requires. You'll usually find this information on the back of the appliance, or stamped somewhere on it. Converters are rated by their wattage capacity - the highest amount of wattage it can deliver. Some appliances-coffee makers, for example, or televisions-may have surge periods where they use considerably more wattage than their labels suggest. For this reason, you should always choose a converter that can handle at least 50 percent more wattage than your appliance requires.
What Else Will I Need In Order to Use My Appliances?
Different countries also have different plug and outlet configurations. Even countries that share a standard voltage may have different styles of plugs. In addition to the voltage transformer itself, you may also need plug adapters so that you can plug your converter into the wall.
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