Foreign
Electricity
Requirements
The electrical configurations of countries differ in four fundamental aspects:
Plug Configuration
There is no worldwide standard for the plug configuration, and outlets around the world differ in shape, assortment, and arrangement of plug holes. When overseas, plugs from your appliances may simply not fit in the outlets. This problem is easily remedied by an adaptor plug. An adapter plug simply allows a plug of one shape to be connected to a plug of another shape. We stock a variety of these adapter plugs and other travel needs for any country to which you may consider traveling. However, an adaptor plug does not modify the electricity, it simply changes the plug shape. To modify electricity, a transformer or converter is needed.
Current: AC or DC?
Electrical currents are either alternating currents (AC) or direct currents (DC). Fortunately, nearly all countries in the world use AC electricity. Voltage converters and appliances only work with AC electricity. If DC electricity is used, it can destroy your appliance. If you are traveling to a country with DC electricity, the electricity must be changed to AC through the use of a device called an invertor, before use with transformers and converters.
Voltage: 110 or 220?
The third way electrical configurations differ is voltage. Most outlets are either 220 volts AC (VAC) or 110 volts AC. 110VAC configurations are common in North America, but most of the world operates on 220VAC. So, to use a 110 volt appliance overseas, you need to convert the country's 220 volt electricity to 110 volts. Otherwise, you run the risk of destroying your appliance. The device made for this is voltage converter. NOTE: North American 110 volt appliances can operate without a converter in countries with voltages from 100 to 127 volts. A converter must be used in countries with voltages from 220 to 240 volts.
Cycles: 50 or 60 Hertz?
North American 110 volt electricity is generated at a frequency of 60 Hz. (Cycles) Alternating Current. Foreign 220/240 volt electricity is generated at 50 Hz. Alternating Current. This difference in cycles may cause the motor in your 60 Hz. North American appliance to operate slower when used on 50 Hz. foreign electricity. It will also cause clocks and timing circuits that use Alternating Current as a timing base to keep incorrect time. Most modern electronic equipment including battery chargers, computers, printers, stereos, tape and CD players, VCR's, etc. have internal power convertors that changes AC to DC, and thus will not be affected by the difference in cycles. IMPORTANT NOTE: Voltage converters and heavy duty transformers are strictly AC devices, and do not convert line frequency - (cycles).
Converting Foreign Electricity: Adapters, Transformers, and Converters
Adaptor Plugs
Electrical wall outlets around the world differ in shape, assortment, and arrangement of plug holes. The most common outlet requires two round pins. Many countries, however, use other types of outlets. You will need a daptor for the particular country or countries you will be visiting. These allow voltage converters, heavy duty transformers, and dual voltage appliances to fit most of the electrical outlets found worldwide. Note: adapter plugs DO NOT convert electricity; they simply modify foreign outlets. To convert electricity, you need either a transformer or a converter.
Transformer or Converter? Which one do I need?
There are two ways to change electricity voltage, transformers and solid state converters (sometimes referred to simply as converters).
Solid State or resistance type voltage converters can only be used with non-electronic heating appliances. They do not produce a normal sine wave output and will damage motorized or electronic appliances. Solid State converters will only decrease (step down) voltage. Converters should ONLY be used with an electric appliance, for short periods of time, up to a maximum of three hours.
Transformer type voltage converters can be used with any electrical appliance that meets the transformer wattage rating requirement. Transformers produce a sine wave output that is identical to normal household electricity. Transformers can either increase (step up) or decrease (step down) voltage, and can be used for longer periods of time than solid state converters. They can be used with electric AND electronic appliances. Transformers can only be used continuously at 80% of their capacity. So if you have a 1000 watt transformer, it can be used continuously ONLY with appliances rated up to 800 watts.
How to Find Voltage and Wattage Ratings
To determine the correct model voltage converter or heavy duty transformer you need, you must know the voltage and wattage requirements of your appliance. You can find this information listed on the appliance manufacturer's label located on the back or bottom of the appliance or in the specifications section of the appliance owner's manual. The label or manual will show the input voltage (110, 120, 220, 240 written as: 110 volts, 110V, 110 volts AC, or 110VAC), the wattage (100 watts or 100W), or the amperage (0.5 Amps or 0.5A or 500 mA).
IMPORTANT NOTE: If only the amperage rating is shown, multiply the input voltage by the amperage rating to find the wattage rating. Volts x Amps = Watts or 120V x 0.5A = 60W.
Is my appliance electric or electronic?
There are two categories of appliances: electric and electronic. Electric appliances are those products with simple heating devices or with universal motors such as hair dryers, irons, toothbrushes and small fans. Electronic appliances are those products with a chip or a circuit such as radios, camcorder recharges and computers.
A converter is designed to be used ONLY with electric appliances such as hair dryers, immersion heaters and irons. A transformer is designed to be used with electronic appliances (e.g. battery rechargers and computers) AND electric appliances.
Questions? Send
email to:mdirect@metrodirect.net