Worldwide International Travel Voltage Transformer Converter Buying Guide

This guide will provide help in selecting and buying the right voltage converter.

Introduction

A voltage converter is an electrical device which changes the electricity power voltage from one value to another. Electrical voltage can vary from country to country around the world. Some countries use electrical power with 220V 50Hz, whilst other countries use 110V 60Hz. Generally speaking, electrical devices manufactured in a particular country will operate on that countries voltage. For example, most electrical devices manufactured in the US will use 110V 60Hz.

There are two types of voltage converters available; step-up and step-down voltage converters. A step-down voltage converter will change a 220-250V power supply to 110V which is used in the US. A step-down voltage converter is useful to travelers from the US going overseas and taking some electrical appliances with them. A step-up voltage converter will change a 110V power supply to 220V. This is useful for travelers to the US who want to use electrical appliances which normally operate on 220V.

It is very important that when traveling to another country you are fully aware of the requirements to run any of the electrical appliances you wish to take with you. You should make sure you have enough information about the electricity voltage supply in the country you are visiting and either a step-up or step-down voltage converter as required.

How to Select the Right Converter/Transformer for your Device?

To determine the correct model voltage converter or heavy duty transformer you need, you must find the watts 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. We recommend to use a Voltage Converter / Transformer that's max watts is at least 50% higher than your appliance. Some appliances such as Power tools, Motors, Laser printers and TVs require a converter 2-3 times the watts that the appliance is rated for.

Example:
For an appliance rated at 500W, you should select a voltage converter or transformer with at least 1000W.

Other Considerations:
A higher watts rated transformer will never hurt your appliance, however if you buy one that is not strong enough, it will not work.

Items such as TVs, Microwave ovens, laser printers and power tools require a transformer with 3 times the watts rating on the equipment. This is because these items require a surge of power when the are first turned on.

If Watts are not listed on your product:
Watts may be abbreviated as W on your appliance. However if you can't find watts or w on the label of your appliance, than you may be able to Find Amps also known as amperage, and A. This can be converted to watts to select the correct converter.

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 110V x 1.5 A = 165W

What is a Voltage Converter?

Voltage converters can only be used with ungrounded (2-pin) electric heating appliances or those that have a "universal" motor, such as battery chargers, cordless phones, hair dryers, irons, etc. The majority of converters are not designed to be used continuously and should only be used for short periods of time, for example 45-60 minutes. Voltage converters should be unplugged when not in use.

What is a Voltage Transformer?

Voltage transformers are used with grounded (3-pin) appliances and can be used with both "electric" and "electronic" devices, such as radios, TVs and computers. Voltage transformers can be used for long periods of time continuously (unlike converters) and at higher wattages. Similar to converters, transformers can be either step-up or step-down.

How Much Wattage?

The wattage of a electrical device refers to the amount of electricity used by the device. In order to get the right voltage converter or transformer, you need to know the wattage of the device. Typically the wattage will be listed on the label of the device. However, if the wattage is not listed, the voltage and amperage of the device (which will be on the label) can be used to calculate the wattage.

Wattage (W) = Voltage (V) x Amperage (A)

Example:

An appliance labeled with a voltage of 110V and an amperage of 2, has a wattage of,

W = 110 x 2 = 220W

What is a Plug ? or a Plug Adapter ? 

There are various different configurations of plugs around the world which are used to connect your device to the electric power supply of the country you are in. Plug adaptors are devices that allow you to use the plug of your appliance in a country which has a power outlet of a different configuration.

Plug adaptors do not change the voltage. A voltage converter or transformer is required to change the voltage. Plug adaptors only change the shape of the plug.

Types of Voltage Converters and Plug Adaptors

If you are traveling to another country, you may need to consider what type of voltage converter or voltage transformer, and plug adapters you will need for your electrical appliances. Items such as electric shavers, hair dryers, irons, TVs, VCRs and DVD players all require electric power to work. However, different countries can have different power voltage available which is not necessarily what the appliance needs. If this is the case, you may need to convert an 110V appliance to 240V or you may need to convert a 240V appliance to 110V.

There are two main types of voltage converters:

1. step-up
2. step-down

A step-up converter will convert the electric power to a higher voltage that what the item is rated. For example, a mixer grinder made in the Europe is designed to operate with a standard 220V outlet. A step-up converter can be used to operate the mixer grinder in a country that has a 110V standard power supply like USA or Canada.

Step-down converters perform the opposite function to step-up converters. If an appliance is designed to operate using a 110V power supply, a step-down converter can be used to operate the item in a country which has 220V power outlets like in Europe, Asia, Africa or Australia.

Plug Adapters

Not only can different countries have different voltage supplies, they can also have different types of outlets for accessing the power. Therefore when visiting another country, it is necessary to not only be aware on the voltage conversion requirements, but also the need for any plug adaptors to enable appliances to be plugged in to the local power supply outlets.

Some adaptors types are flat blade, flat blade with grounding pin, round pin, round pin with grounding, round pin plug and receptacle with male grounding pin, "Schuko" plug, rectangular blade plug, oblique flat blades, round pins with spade ground, "South African" plug with oversized pin.

Adapters allow plugs to fit properly into different outlets, however, they do not convert the voltage in any way.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE OUR COMPLETE VOLTAGE CONVERTER GUIDE.