POWER ADAPTER - DETAILS

The power adapter chart above shows in detail the universal design of the female side of these grounded (3 pin power plug) power adapters. The female side of the power adapters is shown in the picture at the left. There are 15 images in the grounded power adapter chart showing how the power plugs from different countries mate with these power adapters.

As you can see this design also accepts all power plugs from U.S. and Canadian appliances both grounded (3 pin plugs) and ungrounded (2 pin plugs). This clever design will accept all grounded and ungrounded power plugs from every country in the world with the exception of the large power plug used in some areas of India and South Africa. Our WA-10L power adapter shows what that one exception looks like.

The list below clarifies what you see in the power adapter chart above. Each detail above is numbered 1-15 and the list below explains what each represents with examples of our power adapters that match. If you click on the examples, you will find large images of each configuration.

The power plug outlet configuration for all countries in the world can be seen at our World Electric Guide by clicking on the destination country of your choice. Be aware that many countries have more than one possible power adapter configuration. Also, the World Electric Guide shows you both the grounded (3 pin plug) and ungrounded (2 pin plug) power adapters. You may not need both.

Detail #1: Shows compatibility with a U.S. grounded power plug as seen in this image of our WA-5 power adapter.

Detail #2: Shows compatibility with a U.S. ungrounded polarized (one pin larger than the other) power plug as seen in this image of our #3 power adapter. The picture shows a non-polarized power adapter but the design does accept a U.S. polarized ungrounded power plug also.

Detail #3: Shows compatibility with a “British-style” grounded or ungrounded power plug as seen in these images of our WA-7 (grounded) power adapter and the #5 “British-style” ungrounded power plug.

Detail #4: Shows compatibility with a “European-style” ungrounded power plug which has 4mm round pins as seen in this image of our #1 power adapter.

Detail #5: Shows compatibility with a “European-style” ungrounded power plug which has 5mm round pins as seen in this image of our #6 power adapter.

Detail #6: Shows compatibility with a grounded power plug as seen in this image of our WA-10 power adapter.

Detail #7: Shows compatibility with a grounded power plug as seen in this image of our WA-11A power adapter.

Detail #8: Shows compatibility with a grounded power plug as seen in this image of our WA-12A power adapter.

Detail #9: Shows compatibility with a grounded power plug as seen in this image of our WA-14 power adapter.

Detail #10: Shows compatibility with a grounded power plug as seen in this image of our WA-15 power adapter.

Detail #11: Shows compatibility with a grounded power plug as seen in this image of our WA-16 power adapter.

Detail #12: Shows compatibility with a ungrounded power plug as seen in this image of our #2 power adapter.

Detail #13: Shows compatibility with a grounded power plug as seen in this image of our WA-18 power adapter.

Detail #14: Shows compatibility with a grounded power plug as seen in this image of our WA-20 power adapter.

Detail #15: Shows compatibility with a grounded U.S., Taiwan 220 volt, 20 amp power plug. We don't have a power adapter that has this configuration but the female side of these adapters will accept a plug that has this configuration.

More Power Plug Adapter Information:

• Many appliances are what they call "multi-voltage" or "dual-voltage". If you have an electrical appliance that you want to use in a foreign country (where the voltage can be 220/230/240) and the appliance is multi-voltage (says input 100-240 volts) or dual voltage (says input 125/250 volts) you usually only need a plug adapter. The input voltage (and the watts or amps) information can usually be found on a charger but it could be anywhere on the appliance. It is often on the main body of the appliance in the same color where it can be difficult to see. Some dual voltage appliances have switches and some others are self-sensing, switching to the higher voltages for you automatically. There are entirely too many appliances manufactured for us to know if some have additional limitations or restrictions put on them by the manufacturers, so, if you aren't sure, contact a tech rep with the appliance manufacturer or the retailer.

• If you determine that your appliances only need plug adapters take a look at our World Electric Guide. It is a list of all the countries in the world showing their voltage, frequency and, when you click on the country name, it shows which plug adapter(s) are needed there. Many countries have more than one configuration so there are often more than one adapter required.

• We strongly recommend the convenience of dual voltage appliances. Dual voltage appliances can be bought from us at our Dual Voltage Appliance Store but many hair appliances and shavers sold at stores like TARGET are dual voltage. Most laptops, cell phone chargers, digital camera chargers, camcorder chargers, and similar chargers are multi-voltage. If they are they will usually say somewhere (on the charger usually), input 100-240 volts, 50/60 Hz). If they don't actually say that, they can usually be made available by the manufacturers. CPAP machines (medical devices needed by many travelers) are usually dual voltage (input 100-240 volts) or can be made available by the manufacturers.

• Dual voltage appliances are extremely convenient when traveling. They allow you to avoid the weight, hassle and having to deal with heavy transformers and voltage converters. They save money also because most are ungrounded and ungrounded plug adapters are less expensive and more compact than grounded adapters. Dual Voltage Appliances can be bought here and a complete set of ungrounded adapters, such as our AK-UNGR Kit, can be had for under $20.00. All of the Dual Voltage Appliances that we sell require just ungrounded plug adapters and the ungrounded adapter kit AK-UNGR is available here

• If an appliance is not multi or dual voltage but you still want to use it when you travel, you will need a transformer or a combination transformer / solid state voltage converter. Any appliance containing any electronic components such as laptops, chargers, some hair straighteners and curling irons, etc. will require an actual transformer while many non-electronic appliances (most, but not all, hair dryers, travel irons, most curling irons, etc) can just use the solid state voltage converters and don't usually require a transformer. Even automatic shut-off usually requires electronics.

• If your appliance is not multi or dual voltage, but you still want to use it when you travel, there are voltage converters like the VCSP or the VCAP that can perform both functions with some restrictions. These voltage converters can handle both electronic appliances up to 50 watts and non-electronic appliances up to 2000 watts. Most small electronic appliances are under 50 watts. Most hair dryers are under 2000 watts. We said most, not all, so be sure to check your appliance or with the manufacturer to be sure. The VCSP and VCAP combination voltage converters all have some limitations on their use. Follow instructions carefully. Usually they can only be used for short time periods and only with ungrounded (2 pin plugs), non-electronic devices or appliances. Transformers usually have no such limitations other than to be sure you don't exceed its watt rating. Again, to avoid all of this hassle, we recommend dual voltage or multi-voltage appliances found at our Dual Voltage Appliance Store or sometimes at retail stores like Target

• If you want to use a surge protector for your electronic appliances while overseas, you definitely want to consider one of these surge protectors most of which are rated up to 250 volts. A US surge protector cannot be used in 220-240 volt countries since they are designed and approved for a maximum voltage of 125 volts. We also have power strips if you just need to provide more outlets than provided in most foreign countries without the surge protection.

• If your appliance requires a transformer and needs more than the maximum 50 watts available with the VCSP and VCAP you will need one of these Transformer Store transformers. As you can see, these transformers are available in sizes from 100 watts up to 8000 watts and in a variety of types which may or may not apply to you. Transformers are sized according to the maximum watts (amps) that they can provide.

• All appliances have the watts (or sometimes amps) they require posted somewhere on them. The appliance may list the power required as so many amps (for example, .5 A) in which case you can multiply volts times amps to find the watts (V x A = W). In the example .5 A times 120 volts equals 60 watts. It may also show the amps as so many mA (milli-amps). In this example, 50 mA converts (50 divided by 1000 = ..05) to .05 amps. In the same formula, .05 times 120 (volts) = 6 watts as an example.

Note 1: The outlets in Japan are very similar to the outlets in U.S. however, they do not have as many grounded (3 pin) and polarized (one flat pin bigger than the other) outlets. The voltage in Japan is 100 volts and the frequency is 50 Hz in some areas and 60 Hz in others. There is no practical way to change frequency but many U.S. appliances will only be marginally affected by this difference. For more specific recommendations email us CustomerService@traveloasis.com

Note 2: Mexico has a voltage of 127 volts in most areas but varies widely (higher or lower). It is best to contact somewhere you are going to find out if you are going to have problems with your appliances. There is no practical solution to this voltage situation.

Note 3: The voltage and frequency in Colombia, El Salvador, Haiti, Costa Rica, parts of Ecuador, and some other countries (see our World Electric Guide) are the same as in the US. The outlets, however, while very similar to the outlets in U.S. do not have as many grounded (3 pin) and polarized (one flat pin bigger than the other) outlets. It is best to contact your destination to find out if you are going to have problems with your appliances.