Converters needed in England for phone chargers/digital cameras?

Gay,

In order to determine whether you need a Voltage Converter, you'll need to check the Input Voltage spec's on both your Phone and Camera Chargers. If these say Input Voltage 100-240VAC, 50/60 Hz, then you'll only need Plug Adapters. If these say 115VAC, 60 Hz then you will also need a Voltage Converter. Plug Adapters for the U.K. have three large rectangular pins.

Note that some power points (outlets) in the U.K. are controlled by a small switch (which is often right on the outlet).

Happy travels!

Thank you, Ken--that was very helpful.

Kens correct. I have found that my chargers work perfectly well (and a whole lot faster) on 240v as long as I have the proper adaptor, the klunky British three prong or the two round pins on the Continent.

I'm confused, as usual. I have a converter that you can change from Europe/M.East, England/Africa, or Australia/Plillipines. I also just ordered the European Electrical Adapters for both Continental and Britain from Rick's travel store. The converter has a Voltage Selector button that can be switched from "220VAC to 110VAC Thru Transformer" to "110VAC to 110VAC as Adapter Plug". We will be in Italy, Switzerland, Austria & Hungary. We will layover at Heathrow on the trip home. Do I need both the converter and the adapter? Which Voltage Selection do I use?

Hi, Jennifer

It depends on what appliance you are trying to use. If it is a cell phone, laptop or camera charger you most likely will not need the converter-check the input voltage information on the charger like Ken says in his post, but every one I've ever seen is dual voltage, so all you need there is the proper adaptor. If you are trying to use some American made appliance like a hair dryer, don't; your voltage converter probably won't handle the load. Get a dual voltage unit here before you go, one that has a switch on the side to convert from 110v to 220v, then your don't need the converter. With me so far? Okay, if you are running some American made appliance that is rated for 110v only on European current, you will need the converter. Set the switch ion the converter to 220v/110v thru transformer.

Bottom line, you probably won't need the converter. I've travelled with one for years and never used it.

Basically, what Ash is trying to get across is that 90%, if not more, of appliances made today are set to be able to be used anywhere. This make sense for the manufacturer since they only have to change the end plug when they ship to different countries. You can spot the appliances this applies to because they have the large black plastic converter somewhere on their cord. For cell phones, it is usually at the plug, for laptops it is in the middle of the cord.

The only exception is hair dryers. When my wife and I went to England this summer, we simply bought one when we got there. We bought a $9.00 hair dryer at our first stop (that is $9.00 AFTER the 2 to 1 conversion factor in GBP this summer). We just left it at our last hotel as a gift since we don't need it here. It was worth the money to 1) not have to pack it for the plane trip and 2)not have to worry about the conversion and blowing out an expensive hair dryer that we bought from home.

By the way, many B&Bs and hotels have hair dryers you can use if you ask.

Jennifer L,

Based on your description, it sounds like your Converter is designed both as a Voltage Converter and a Plug Adapter.

If the switch is set for "220VAC to 110VAC thru Transformer", it will provide voltage reduction for low power electronic products that are designed to operate only on 110VAC. As this states "Transformer", the capacity is probably only about 50 watts, but that's the best conversion method for electronic devices such as Camera Chargers, etc.

If the switch is set to "110VAC to 110VAC as Adapter Plug", it sounds like this is a "pass through mode" that delivers whatever voltage is provided at the outlet, but provides a Plug Adapter function.

It's VERY important that you check each device that you'll be travelling with to determine the Input Voltage specifications, as I described above. Without that information, it's not possible to determine whether you'll need to pack along the Voltage Converter. If you have any further questions after checking your Chargers, etc., post another note.

If you're using the "converter" that you described in your post with electronic devices that are designed for "world operation" at 100-240VAC, it shouldn't matter which position the switch is in.

I've found that it's a good idea to pack at least two of each Plug Adapter. This has proven useful in the past as it provides the ability to charge two devices at once, and I've loaned one of the Adapaters to others in the Hostel on occasion. Finally, if I should ever forget to unplug an Adapater and it gets left behind, at least I'll have a spare.

Cheers!

What I have not been able to find an answer to is, if you go ahead and use a voltage converter, just to be safe, is that any problem? Is there any harm in using the voltage converter, even if your appliance says "input 110V-240V", etc.? I have a conversion kit and just plan to bring the converter piece along. Last time in Europe we used just a plug adapter on a camera battery charger and it burned up.

I always just take my voltage converter. You push the bar marked England or UK and Bob's your uncle. No muss no fuss & no worry. Of course its larger and therefore heavier than my Rick Steves adapter. I don't care.

Someone mentioned that some recepticles have switches in the UK. I would say thay almost all do, and it is important to note that the switches are the reverse of NA - UP is OFF and DOWN is ON.

If you are using a charger or electronic power supply like a phone charger, digital camera battery charger or laptop computer all you need is an adapter that changes the plug configuration. The chargers adapt to the voltage differences. The cheap plug converters on Rick's store or just about anywhere will work for this.
A good general rule is that anything that gets HOT (curling iron, blow dryer, clothes iron, portable steamer) will NOT work with just a plug converter. You will either need to buy a voltage converter (other poster referenced this) or do what I do - I just buy an inexpensive device there. Most places we stay have irons and blow dryers, and my wife just buys a curling iron which she keeps for a few trips until it wears out.

Simple solution - get a camera that uses regular batteries. :)

Marilyn,

To answer your question, there could be a problem in using a Voltage Converter with a product that doesn't really require it.

If the Voltage Converter uses solid-state conversion (which is typical for those designed for high wattage appliances such as hair dryers) and you use it with electronic products such as Camera or Cell phone chargers, the devices may "conflict" which could damage one or both devices. Chargers for electronic devices should be used only with Transformer type Voltage Converters.

If the Chargers and other devices you'll be travelling with are designed for "world" operation (100-240 VAC), you should have no trouble using these with Plug Adapters. I'd suggest not leaving Chargers connected while you're away from the room for any length of time.

Regarding the comment to use "regular batteries", these won't provide the same length of service as rechargeable Lithium-Ion, as the discharge characteristics are different. I've found that Li-Ion batteries are the best option at the moment.

Cheers!