INTERNATIONAL ELECTRICITY INFORMATION

INTRODUCTION

Most of the world outside of North America uses electricity at 220230/240 volts/50hz. while most North American appliances are designed for 110/120 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.

There is no solution to the frequency difference issue but it is not a problem for many appliances. The solutions to the problem of wall outlet (receptacle) differences are plug adapters (but remember: plug adapters don't change the voltage or frequency). The solution to the different voltages you will encounter as you travel with U.S. appliances is a power converter of some type.

POWER CONVERTER INTRODUCTION

A power converter can be any device that converts a voltage from one value to another. A power converter, as relates to international travel, will either step up (increase) or step down (decrease) one voltage to another voltage. As an example, a power converter could convert a European voltage of say, 220 volts, to a U.S. voltage of 120 volts. Power converters are known by many names: transformer, autotransformer, isolated transformer, voltage converter, etc. but for our purposes we have limited the power converter scope to include just transformers and solid state voltage converters. More on Power Converters.

SOLID STATE VOLTAGE CONVERTER

If an appliance to be used overseas is multi voltage or dual voltage (see World Travel Guide #1) then you may just need plug adapters. You should never use a solid state voltage converter with a multi or dual voltage appliance as it will probably malfunction

If the U.S. appliances are not multi or dual voltage but are ungrounded (2 pin plug) you may be able to use a solid state voltage converter to step down the foreign voltage to U.S. voltage. The solid state voltage converters have some limitations on their use, so be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Click here for some solid state voltage converters that may suit your particular situation.

We strongly recommend you take multi voltage or dual voltage appliances when traveling abroad. Most laptops, chargers (cell phone, digital camera, iPod, etc.) , and many other electronic appliances are multi voltage but you may need to verify that with the manufacturer. We have a selection of dual voltage appliances here. More on Voltage Converter.

DUAL VOLTAGE APPLIANCES

Dual voltage appliances can simplify your life when traveling abroad. They can eliminate the need (hassle) for a transformer or voltage converter. You could buy a ungrounded plug adapter kit like our 6 piece AK-UNGR power adapter kit and be set for any country in the world. More about dual voltage appliances.

UNGROUNDED TRANSFORMER

There are some travel-size ungrounded transformers available for use with some electronic devices if you have some that are ungrounded but not multi voltage. Because of their compact size and weight some of them have time limits on their use even though they are true sine wave transformers. See a selection of these travel-size transformers here.

GROUNDED TRANSFORMERS

Grounded transformers produce a full sine wave electrical output and don't have the same limitations that solid states voltage converters have. They can usually be used 24/7 with any appliance that does not exceed its watts rating. Transformers do not change the frequency. Large selection of grounded power converter transformers here.

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. Plug adapters are a simple solution to the wall outlet configuration problem. Our World Electric Guide provides a list of all the countries in the world showing which adapters are needed in each

Plug 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 grounded adapter but not vice versa. One very important warning!! Plug adapters do not change voltages!

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 as accurate as possible. We've done a lot of research in order to insure the accuracy of the information you find here (there are over 240 countries listed here). In cases where we found sources that recommended different or additional adapters for the same country we included them all hoping that "it is better to have and not need than to need and not have" applies here. More about Power Adapter.

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. If you do leave the U.S. with your electrical appliances, in addition to having to deal with the 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 usually unaffected by difference in 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. Still others can be manually switched from one voltage/frequency to another.

WATTS CALCULATION (volt X amp = watts)

Watts refers to the amount of power (electricity) consumed by your appliances. 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 watts in order to choose a converter or a transformer. The watts 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 watts isn't listed on the appliance 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 watts of the appliance. For example, the decal on the appliance you want to take overseas doesn't list the watts but gives the voltage as 120 volts and the amperage is 1.1. To find the watts of that particular appliance, multiply the voltage 120 times the amperage 1.1, 120 X 1.1 = 132 watts.

TRANSFORMER SELECTION

The manufacturers of all transformers recommend that the connected watts not exceed 90% of the transformer's rated watts. For example, don't connect more than 450 watts to a 500 watt transformer.

Now that you know how to figure the watts (either look on the label or do the simple math) you are ready to select a transformer. To choose the correct one, you first decide which appliances you want to use, second get the watts 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:

• 1). You will bring and use only 1 appliance.

• 2). You will bring more than one appliance but use only one at a time.

• 3). You will bring and use more than one appliance.

• SOLUTION 1). Just find the watts of that one appliance and choose the 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 watts of your appliances and choose the transformer that has a higher watts than that one appliance.

• SOLUTION 3). Add all of the appliance watts you will use at one time and choose the transformer with a watts rating higher than the total of all the appliances you intend to use at one time

• You must be sure to allow for any surges associated with your appliance. Click here for more on surges.

  Click on the world travel category below that best describes your situation, concerns or applications for more information:

  WORLD TRAVEL GUIDE #1 - Help! What do I really need?

  A quickie, "down 'n dirty", analysis of your situation

  WORLD TRAVEL GUIDE #2 - In-depth analysis of your needs

  An elaboration on the more abridged world travel guide #1 but still easy to comprehend

  WORLD TRAVEL GUIDE #3 - Quick overview of International Electricity Issues

  This world travel guide is important and contains some very helpful world travel information but it may be more information than you need or want. It includes the issues of surge, frequency, and outlet configurations that may affect you as you travel the world.

  WORLD TRAVEL GUIDE #4 - To and from certain countries with electrical standards similar to the U.S.

  Many countries, especially in Central America and Caribbean, have electrical standards very similar to the U.S. and Canada. The following countries have some special requirements: Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guam, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Micronesia, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Palau, Puerto Rico, Saba and Saba (St. Eustatius), Taiwan, Trinidad, Tobago, Turks/Caicos Islands, United States of America, Venezuela, and Virgin Islands

  WORLD TRAVEL GUIDE #5 - Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

  You are not alone in your confusion about International Electricity and what it means to you when you travel. This world travel guide contains some very common questions that should prove helpful in determining what you actually may or may not need.

  WORLD TRAVEL GUIDE #6 - Relocating to 220/230/240 volt countries with US/Canada 110/120 volt household appliances

  World travel guide you will want to review if moving US/Canada 110/120 volt appliances to a 220/230/240 volt country. This world travel guide covers those issues necessary for you to decide which appliances make sense to be relocated with you.

  Still Need Help Deciding? Click here for World Travel help!

Click on the world travel category below that best describes your situation, concerns or applications for more information:

WORLD TRAVEL GUIDE #1 - Help! What do I really need?

A quickie, "down 'n dirty", analysis of your situation

WORLD TRAVEL GUIDE #2 - In-depth analysis of your needs

An elaboration on the more abridged world travel guide #1 but still easy to comprehend

WORLD TRAVEL GUIDE #3 - Quick overview of International Electricity Issues

This world travel guide is important and contains some very helpful world travel information but it may be more information than you need or want. It includes the issues of surge, frequency, and outlet configurations that may affect you as you travel the world.

WORLD TRAVEL GUIDE #4 - To and from certain countries with electrical standards similar to the U.S.

Many countries, especially in Central America and Caribbean, have electrical standards very similar to the U.S. and Canada. The following countries have some special requirements: Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guam, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Micronesia, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Palau, Puerto Rico, Saba and Saba (St. Eustatius), Taiwan, Trinidad, Tobago, Turks/Caicos Islands, United States of America, Venezuela, and Virgin Islands

WORLD TRAVEL GUIDE #5 - Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

You are not alone in your confusion about International Electricity and what it means to you when you travel. This world travel guide contains some very common questions that should prove helpful in determining what you actually may or may not need.

WORLD TRAVEL GUIDE #6 - Relocating to 220/230/240 volt countries with US/Canada 110/120 volt household appliances

World travel guide you will want to review if moving US/Canada 110/120 volt appliances to a 220/230/240 volt country. This world travel guide covers those issues necessary for you to decide which appliances make sense to be relocated with you.

Still Need Help Deciding? Click here for World Travel help!