TRANSFORMERS/CONVERTERS/ADAPTERS/WATTAGE/FREQUENCY
Step
Down Transformers * Step
Up / Step Down Transformers * 0-50
Watt Step Down Transformer *
Automatic Voltage
Regulated Transformers * Plug
Adapters * Surge
Protectors * Plug
Adapters Kits * Voltage
Converters * Telephone
Outlet Plug Adapters * Plug
Adapter / Voltage Converter Kits *
International Electrical
Information
If you
just want to order Converters, Transformers, or Adapters follow links
on this page.
INTRODUCTION
Most
of the world outside of North America uses electricity at
approximately 220 volts/50hz. while most North American appliances
are designed for 110 volts/60hz. In addition to the voltage/frequency
problems, the wall outlets (receptacles) configurations are also
different from country to country (there are 10 different grounded
wall outlet plug adapters and 6 different ungrounded wall outlet plug
adapters). The solution to the different voltage/frequencies you will
encounter as you travel is either a VOLTAGE CONVERTER or a
TRANSFORMER depending on the type of appliances or equipment you plan
to use. The solutions to the problem of wall outlet (receptacle)
differences are PLUG ADAPTERS (but remember:
plug adapters don't change the voltage).
UNGROUNDED CONVERTERS
If
the appliances or eqipment you intend to take overseas with you are
all ungrounded and you will only need to use them one at a time for
short periods of time, then you might consider an Ungrounded Voltage
Converter as a solution to the differences in voltages as you travel.
Ungrounded
Converters can be used only for ungrounded appliances (2 pins on the
plug) and only with "electric" (never "electronic")
appliances, that is, appliances that are used for heating purposes
and / or use "universal" motors (curling irons, hair
dryers, steam inhalers, bottle warmers, irons, etc). Converters and
Transformer/Converters do not change the frequency differences (hz or
cycles) you will encounter outside of North America. The issue of
Frequency will be covered below.
You must
always read and follow all instructions about converters and all
electrical devices for your safety. U.S. visitors to foreign
countries will want to convert the 220 volts to 110 volts through the
use of one of our "step down" converters. The following
"step down" converters are available: a 0-50 watts model, a
50-1875 watt model, and a "hi-lo" 0-1875 watt model (it has
a setting switch for 0-25 watts and for 26-1875). We also carry a
"step up" 0-50 watt model for the use of foreign low
wattage appliances in this country.
Converters
are for ungrounded (2 pins) appliances only. You can follow the link
below for instructions and specifications of all our models. You will
also find a link below that will take you to a listing of over 220
countries that gives their voltages and required adapters. Most
converters are not designed for "continuous duty" and
should be used for short periods of time, 45 minutes to an hour. They
must be unplugged from the wall when not in use.
UNGROUNDED CONVERTER /
TRANSFORMER
There is a converter/transformer (our TA-50A) , a hybrid if you will,
that like a converter can only be used with ungrounded appliances but
like a transformer produces a full sine wave electrical output,
making it suitable for continuous use and and it be used with all
electronic devices except computers.
GROUNDED TRANSFORMERS
Transformers
can be used with grounded plugs (3 pin) and can be used with
"electric" and "electronic" appliances
alike(unlike a ungrounded converter that can only be used for
"electric appliances"). "Electronic" refers to
those devices and appliances that contain electronic circuitry of
some sort such as: most radios, some shavers, fax machines,
computers, printers, etc. We carry transformers that just "step
down" 220/240 volts to 110/120 volts (as would apply to a U.S.
visitor to a foreign country) and we carry step up / step down
transformers that will, with just the flip of a switch, "step up
(110/120 to 220/240 for the foreign visitor to the U.S.)" or
"step down" 220/240 volts to 110/120 volts.
Features
of all the Transformers include: off/on power switch, replaceable
safety fuse, heavy duty metal case, 5' of cord with either a European
grounded "schuko" plug (on the step down transformers) or a
grounded U.S. plug (on the step up / step down comination), and a
power indicator light. There is 1 U.S. grounded outlet on the 100 and
200 watt models and 2 U.S. grounded outlets on the remaining seven
models which go up to 3000 watts. For warranty information click on
the link below. The Transformers like the Converters do not change
the frequencies. That issue is covered below.
WALL
OUTLET (RECEPTACLE) PLUG ADAPTERS
If
you were looking for a worldwide standard, forget it! There are at
least 13 different configurations that we know of, each requiring its
own adapter. And if that wasn't complicated enough, some countries
use 2, 3, 4, and even 5 different configurations in different areas
within their borders. ADAPTERS are a simple solution (once you have
found the right one[s]) to the configuration problem and we have
attempted to provide you with the best source for finding the correct
adapters.
Adapters
are available as either grounded or ungrounded. Which one you need
depends on the plug of the appliance or equipment you intend to use
overseas. A plug with 2 pins or blades is ungrounded and one with 3
pins or blades is grounded. Usually you can use an ungrounded plug in
a gounded adapter but not vice versa. One very important warning!!
Adapters do not change voltages!
Click on the Worldwide Voltages and
Adapters Selection Page link below for what is fast becoming the most
reliable source for International
Electricity and Telephone Solutions.
We use the
most reliable sources we can find, including the U.S. Department of
Commerce and travelers like yourself. We appreciate your assistance
in trying to create a reliable source for what is obviously a
complicated issue and to make this information available to all
travelers with no obligation to buy. We've done a lot of research in
order ensure the accuracy of the information you find here (there are
over 200 countries listed here), but I can only guarantee that it
isn't infallible and there will be some mistakes and/or omissions. In
cases where we found sources that recommended different or additional
adapters for the same country we included them all (we hope that "it
is better to have and not need than to need and not have"
applies here).
FREQUENCY, CYCLES, HERTZ, HZ (60 HZ
vs. 50HZ)
AC
frequency refers to the number of cycles that electrical voltage or
current (maximum positive values then maximum negative values) goes
through each second. It would never be important in your life if you
never left the North America. But if you do leave the U.S., in
addition to having to deal with those "pesky" higher
voltages in other countries, you may also have to contend with the
lower frequencies (50 hertz) in most foreign countries.
Appliances
and equipment that simply contain heating elements with no electronic
timers, microchips, or other electronic circuitry are unaffected by
frequency. Many appliances convert the incoming AC into DC which has
no frequency, others have electronic circuitry that automatically
senses and then compensates for the frequency and voltage
differences, and still others can be manually switched from one
voltage/frequency to another.
WATTAGE CALCULATION (volt X amp = watts)
Wattage
refers to the amount of power (electricity) consumed by your
appliances and equipment. Sounds simple, doesn't it? Actually it is
very simple and it is important to know a little about it because you
need to know wattage in order to choose a Converter or a Transformer.
The wattage of most appliances and equipment is found on decals or
labels of some sort on the appliance or equipment or in the owner's
manual. In addition, the decals or labels also usually give the
voltage and/or amperage of the appliance.
If the
wattage isn't given you can still figure it out if you know the
voltage and amperage. If you multiply the voltage times the amperage,
the result equals the wattage of the appliance. For example, the
decal on the appliance you want to take overseas doesn't list the
wattage but gives the voltage as 120 volts and the amperage is 1.1.
To find the wattage of that particular appliance, multiply the
voltage 120 times the amperage 1.1, 120X1.1=132 watts.
TRANSFORMER
SELECTION
The
manufacturers of transformers recommend that the connected wattage
not exceed 90% of the Transformer's rated wattage. For example, don't
connect more than 450 watts to a 500 watt transformer.
Now
that you know how to figure the wattage (either look on the label or
do the simple math) you are ready to select a Converter and/or a
Transformer. To choose either one you first decide which appliances
you want to use, second get the wattage of each item, and third,
decide how many appliances you will use at one time. See which of the
three situations below applies to you, then look at the solutions and
examples:
3). You
will bring and use more than one appliance.
SOLUTION
1). Just find the wattage of that one appliance and choose
the Converter or Transformer that suits your needs.
SOLUTION
2).If you know for a fact that you will never use more than
one appliance or piece of equipment or combination thereof at one
time then you find the highest wattage of your appliances and choose
the Converter or Transformer that has a higher wattage than that one
appliance.
SOLUTION
3). Add all of the appliance wattage you will use at one time
and once again choose the Converter or Transformer with a wattage
rating higher than the total of all the appliances you intend to use
at one time:
EXAMPLE
1. If your ungrounded appliance has a wattage of 550 watts
you can choose between the ungrounded step down Hi-Lo Converter (use
it with the wattage switch set before plugging into the wall at
25-1875 watts) or the step down MW-800 (it is also possible to use
the MW-800D step up / step down Transformer). WARNING! Always switch
to correct wattage range before plugging into an adapter that should
already be in the wall outlet, if an adapter is used. If your
appliance is grounded or you want to use it for long periods of
time, you will have to choose one of the Transformer model because
the Converters aren't grounded. The advantages of Converters are
they are: inexpensive, lightweight, and compact.
EXAMPLE
2.In this example you could choose the ungrounded Hi-Lo
Converter that has two settings 0-25 watts and 25-1875 watts.
WARNING! Always switch to correct wattage range before plugging into
an adapter that should already be in the wall outlet, if an adapter
is used. You could also choose the step down Transformer MW-2000
(step up/ step down MW-2000D if using foreign appliances in the
U.S.)The Hi-Lo Converter is not intended for continuous use and must
be unplugged from adapter which also must be removed from wall
outlet as soon as you are finished with appliance or equipment.The
advantages of Converters are they are: inexpensive, lightweight, and
compact.
EXAMPLE
3A. You are bringing 3 ungrounded appliances that you have to
use at the same time with the following wattages: 1400, 350, and
150. The total of all the wattages is 1900 watts which is too high
for any of the converters but you could choose the step down
Transformer model MW-3000 (or for the same price, the MW-3000D, step
up / step down model). Remember you don't want to load the
transformer more than approximately 90% of its rated wattage.
EXAMPLE 3B. You want to bring a 300
watt grounded appliance, a 500 watt ungrounded, and a 800 watt
grounded appliance and you have to use them all at the same time for
long periods of time. You would add all the wattages, 1600 watts
total, and choose the MW-2000 model Transformer. You couldn't choose
a straight Converter, even though it has a wattage rating above the
1600 watts of all these appliances for two very important reasons,
1). you have some grounded appliances
and 2).you intend to use them for long
periods of time. Either of the previous reasons preclude the use of
a Converter, they can't be used for long periods of time and they
aren't grounded. The advantages of Converters are they are:
inexpensive, lightweight, and compact.
TOO MUCH
INFORMATION? NOT ENOUGH?
We
realize that this can be a difficult topic to digest and we will be
glad to try to help you sort things out before your trip, free of
charge and no obligation. Because of the high volume of requests we
do ask that when you e-mail us (button on the left) with your
questions that you please include the following information:
If you need personal assistance with international electrical issues such as voltage converters, wall outlet adapters, voltage transformers, or any other problem you can reach us toll free 877-894-1960, 8:00 A.M. until Midnight EST 7 days / week. Your patience is appreciated though, as we receive a high volume of requests and we attempt to be as thorough as possible with each inquiry. If you get the operator or the answering machine, please leave your name, a brief message, and a day and evening number where you can be reached. We answer all calls in the order in which we receive them. We respond to all calls and messages.
You can click on the icon below to send an email with your questions:
Step
Down Transformers * Step
Up / Step Down Transformers * 0-50
Watt Step Down Transformer *
Automatic Voltage
Regulated Transformers * Plug
Adapters * Surge
Protectors * Plug
Adapters Kits * Voltage
Converters * Telephone
Outlet Plug Adapters * Plug
Adapter / Voltage Converter Kits *
International Electrical
Information
