questions on adapters

Stephen, a bit of further information would be very helpful. Are you referring to Plug Adapters OR Voltage Converters? The first thing you need to do is check the Input Voltage specifications on EACH device you'll be taking to Europe. If these state "100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz" then you'll only need the two pin (Euro) Plug Adapters. These only cost a few dollars, and are widely available. If you also need a Voltage Converter, then post another note and I'll provide further information.

Norm, a bit of clarification on your last post. I would not recommend connecting low-wattage devices such as Cell Phone or Camera Chargers to high-wattage Voltage Converters. While these may work without problems in some cases, there can also be "unfortunate consequences" in other cases. The majority of high-wattage travel Voltage Converters use an electronic method of conversion (somewhat like a switching power supply), which can cause problems with electronic devices which use a similar technology.

For low-wattage electronic products, use of a transformer type Converter (sometimes referred to as a "step-down Transformer) is the preferred method. Usually these are rated at 50 watts (Transformers are inherently heavy, so travel with larger models would be impractical). There are some travel Voltage Converters on the market which contain both conversion methods in the same package (see the Magellans web site); the product automatically selects the correct method based on the device that is connected to it.

The majority of Chargers for electronic products these days are designed for "world operation". It's beneficial for manufacturers to provide these, as they only have to "tool up" for one product, and simply change the plug configuration based on the country where this will be sold.

Cheers!

One other important note....

Most travel Voltage Converters are NOT rated for "continuous duty operation", so it's a good idea to disconnect these when charging is complete. Do not leave them connected for long periods of time, and especially don't leave them unattended.

Cheers!

Use the search box. This has been extensively discussed in the past/

Go to your nearest Target store and read the info on the European converter kit. It is priced much cheaper than others if you want a small model. I have used it for years.

Stephen....Italy requires a two-prong adapter. It shouldn't be clunky. They're basically just plugs. All adaptors do is let you plug your charger into the wall. It does not convert electricity.

I think what you're referring to are converters which convert European electrical current (220 volts) to U.S. standard (110-120)

Here's what you do. Look at the power cords for your phone charger and handycam charger. If they say something like: "Input 110-240V" then all you need is the adapter plug. It is imperative that it says 240v. If they only say 110-120 volts then you will need the converter. Most modern cellphone chargers, handycams, etc are dual voltage--but you must check to make sure.

Converters are dinosaurs and will soon be extinct.

First, you need to know if you need both a converter and adapter or just the adapter. Look at the label on the equipment that you are taking. On the power, if it says 110v-240v (or something close), you don't need a power converter. If its says 100v-120v (or something close), you will need a converter to convert to Europe's 220v electric.

This is separate from the adapter. If all of your electronics say 110v-240v, you don't need a converter. You just need to correct plug (adapter).

Finally, watch out for the unusual large blade on the American appliances. You will see that one blade is usually wider than the other. This is to ensure that you insert it correctly in the American outlet. If you have these wide blades, make sure that they will fit into the plugs that you have been provided. Many EU plugs do not have a slot wide enough for this wide blade and you are then out of luck. My wife found this out with her curler. Simply check and test for fit right away.

As others have noted, check first to see if your chargers already read something like "input 100-240 volts" or something similar. If so, you won't need a power CONVERTER, but you will need an ADAPTER plug. If you DO need to use your friend's CONVERTERS, then check the wattage. Many older sets came with two converters, one for high-wattage appliances like hair dryers, and another for low-wattage devices like chargers. If you plug a low-wattage device into the high-wattage adapter, you'll be OK, altho the converter may run warm, so only leave it overnight...you device may also charge a bit more slowly. But if you plug a high-wattage device (like a hair dryer) into a low-wattage converter, then you'll blow it. Wattage ratings should be listed on the converters.

Ken...if the high-wattage converters "use an electronic method of conversion (somewhat like a switching power supply) which can cause problems with electronic devices which use a similar technology," then why would you need a converter in the first place?

Norm, not all electronic products sold these days are designed for "world" or travel operation. If a person is travelling with a Camera or Cell Phone Charger (or other small electronic device) that is designed only for use on 115 VAC, then a Voltage Converter will be required to use this in Europe (more likely to be the case if the product is a few years old). Whatever input voltage the Charger is designed to use, it still has to convert line voltage to 5VDC (or whatever the product requires).

I can provide one example from personal experience. My SoniCare Toothbrush will only operate on 115 VAC, so if I want to travel with this (which I have done in the past, although not on the last trip) then I have to pack a Voltage Converter along. I use one of the auto-switching Voltage Converters from Magellan's and so far it's worked well. However, I'm always looking at ways to save weight and pack light, so don't always take it along.

Given my focus on travel these days, one of my selection criteria when buying new products is to make sure these are designed to work just about anywhere. At this point, the greater majority of the items that I travel with only require Plug Adapters (Cell Phone, two Cameras, GPS, Shaver, Portable Hard Drive and Laptop if I choose to take it along).

Cheers!

Ken....thanks, I'm aware of that. But my question had to do with your comment that you shouldn't used high wattage converters for low wattage devices because there may be problems if the high-wattage converters "use an electronic method of conversion (somewhat like a switching power supply) which can cause problems with electronic devices which use a similar technology." If the electronic devices use a "similar technology," then they must, similarly, be ones that can cope with 220 volts. I'm sorry....I don't understand the reasoning behind your argument. I've used a high-wattage converter for low-wattage chargers for 25 years and, except for watching for overheating, I haven't had a problem yet.

Norm,

A few additional comments on your most recent post. Sorry for the delay, but "work" has been keeping me busy for the last few days (thank goodness retirement is coming next year!).

Regarding my comment that "you shouldn't use high wattage converters for low wattage devices because there may be problems", the key word here is "may". This will depend to a large extent on the design of the two devices. If one is connecting a high-wattage solid-state Converter to a Charger (for example) that also uses the same technology, then unfortunate consequences may occur. However, if one of the devices uses different technology (Transformer), the devices may operate without any apparent problems.

Given the 25-year old "vintage" of your low wattage Chargers, I suspect these use Transformer-based voltage conversion, hence the lack of problems so far. Transformers are not as sensitive to the "choppy" square waves produced by the solid-state Voltage Converters. The fact that you have to watch for "overheating" is one clue. With the Transformer operating at 50 Hz, core saturation may be occurring due to the fact this is operating at about 17% below it's frequency design range. This could explain the heating.

You may be interested in having a look at the "Cautions" in This document (the third "Caution" regarding use of non-heating electronic devices is the one that covers this situation).

Another good description is provided at This site. The section describing "Thyristor Based Converters" is especially relevant. They caution on using these with Transformers, however your 25 year old Chargers likely have very robust design parameters, and that's why they haven't failed so far.

Hope this helps.

Cheers!

Norm,

On the second link I provided, click on the section titled "Voltage Conversion Issues and Common Types of Voltage Converters" to get to the appropriate information.

Thanks for all that Ken....yes, it is a big clunky thing, so it must be transformer-based. Luckily for me I haven't encountered any problems. I was just putting together a packing list for a coming trip and I think I'm finally updated enough that I can dispense with converters altogether! Yay!