When I set out for one of my overseas trips from Canada to Europe, I am always loaded down with my iPod, laptop, and CD player, along with personal electric accessories. It’s always nice to take the comforts of home with me.
Before I get on the plane though, I need to make sure that all of my electronics are going to work in places like France and Germany, and that’s when I need to be thinking about overseas voltage and adapters.
Canada and the United States, and most of the Western Hemisphere, have an electrical system that runs on 110 to 120 volts. However, countries in places like Western Europe run on 220 to 240 volts and they have different shapes of wall outlets and their plugs are different too. There’s also another tricky part; 110v programs operate at 60Hz and 220v at 50Hz. A change in cycles per second can cause an appliance like an electric clock to run faster or slower depending upon the speed of the sequence.
So, what do I need to do to solve these problems? The first place to start is with a simple adapter which changes the shape and size of the plug to fit the outlet. This doesn’t change the voltage though. This is easy to find.
Let’s move on to voltage. Just about every laptop computer has dual voltage built inside and they operate on both 110v and 220v. Be careful, you may have a laptop that is without dual capability, so check that out.
If the electronics don’t contain dual voltage, we need a converter or transformer. A converter takes 220v from a power source and rapidly cuts the current on and off so that the power stream approximates 110v. Converters can most readily be used for heating appliances like hot curlers. These easily get damaged and burned up overseas without a converter which reduces the high foreign voltage. The same is true for electric razors, radios, tape recorders, and CD players.
Beware! If the device contains an electronic chip the converter will not work, and should almost never be used for electronic equipment of any kind. Also, if your motorized tool is going to be plugged in for more than a few minutes a converter should be avoided.
For electronics I always bring along a transformer. Once again, the laptop I use has a transformer built into it. For my electronic gadgets I use the transformer to let a 110v device work on a 220v grid.
Recently I purchased an adaption plug set that held the four most common plugs used by trekkers around the world. Those are denominated as A,C,D and E. Universal adaptors are in the market for use with electronics. With a universal, the most widely used adaptors are included in one tool.
Combination converters and adapters can kill two birds with one stone and heavy duty transformers give you a lot of protection and peace of mind. It is well worth spending a few extra dollars to prevent your expensive equipment from burning out.
I bring along a few other items with me too. Airline power adapters are specialized and allow my cords to plug into unusual airline outlets. A surge protector works in Europe just as effectively as it does in Canada. My iPod needs to charged and I always pack a charger. Modular telephones use adaptors too.
All it takes is a forty five minute visit to your local electronics store and a list of equipment that you are taking on your trip. Any salesman can direct you to the mechanisms you need to keep your gadgets up and running. I have never had a burn out!
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