Hello, I am going to London England for a study abroad trip. I want to take my computer which is a Dell Inspiron 1501. I know that they switch voltage and you have to get an adapter for the plug but is there anything special that I need to know about the voltage change? Ive heard that there is sometimes a switch you have to flip but mine does not have anything as I can see. I just want to make sure that I don't fry my laptop when I get there! Thanks!!
Megoosh
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
All you need is the plug adapter. Any new computer is automatic for voltage change. As for the switch, it might be the little one on the outlet. There's one for each receptacle, even if it's a twin. You can't miss it when you go to plug in. I'm thinking that they all show a little red patch in the 'on' position.
Posted by
Tuscaloosa, AL
1152 posts
I think Megan was talking about the switch on the laptop. Older electronics that worked with dual voltage sometimes had a switch that had to be flipped to switch between 120 and 240. As Ed points out, newer computers simply don't have a switch; they make the change automatically. Megan, I think Ed was referring to the fact that lots of outlets in the U.K. have an on/off switch where you insert the plug. Not quite sure the reasoning behind that, but you may encounter some.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
The reason is that some older English residential wiring uses ring circuits instead of radial circuits like we do. It lets current flow in either direction and was designed to allow the same amperage to be carried on smaller wire. It came up due to copper shortages in WWII. Typically each outlet was fused - - those little switches might now be circuit breakers for all I know, but you still have to flip them.
Posted by
OP
Knoxville, TN, USA
2 posts
That is great! Thank you both! I feel much safer now taking my laptop and knowing that my baby wont fry! Haha.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32321 posts
Megan, Just to be "safe", I would highly recommend that you check the Power Supply / Charger for your Laptop, looking for the words "Input Voltage". If this states "Input Voltage 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz" then all you will need for the U.K. is inexpensive Plug Adaptors. Check the Magellan's website for a photo of the appropriate type for the U.K. I'd suggest taking at least two, as they're easy to misplace. Happy travels!