Travel Adapter? Voltage Converters? Which Do I Need For My Trip?!
So you are ready to travel to some far far away destination but how will you keep your phone, computer, camera, etc charged to capture and share your trip?! Time and time again, people forget that different parts of the world actually use different electrical voltages! This is because different countries and even regions within countries—developed their own electricity standards. So before you jump in your car, hop on your next plane or train it is important to make sure you have the right travel gear to keep you charged.
Lets Start With The Basics:
So what is the difference between Travel Adapters and Voltage Converters? An adapter changes the shape of your plug, not the electrical voltage, allowing you to plug appliances into wall outlets in countries with different-shaped plugs than your own. It adapts the plug so you can actually use the plug! An electric converter changes the voltage of your electronic device. It alters the voltage by converting or “stepping down” the electrical voltage from the outlet for your devices.
Understand Plug Types
Step one is to be sure that the plugs for your devices will plug into the wall. More than 50 countries around the world have outlets that accept U.S.-style “A” plugs, so American travelers can take a sigh of relief! Even if two countries operate on the same voltage, their outlets might not take the same shape of plug.
In countries and regions where the plug type differs from your native one, you will need a travel adapter plug that allows your device to plug into the adaptor and have the correct prong configuration for that outlet. International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) states that there are actually 14 different types of plugs, listed Type A through Type N.
These are the seven most common plug types around the world
Determining The Plug Type You Need
Now that you have a basic gist of the notion that there are different plug types, its time to see some of the most common plug types in some of the most traveled destinations. For the full list by country check out IEC World Plugs List.
What about Universal Outlets?
You may come across accommodations, modes or transportation, restaurants or cafes that have outlets designed to accept multiple types of plugs. This is a plus because you may not need a travel adaptor to charge your favorite electronics but it is advised to still know the type of adaptor needed in the respective region or country you are traveling too. You can always check with your accommodations before leaving so you aren’t stranded with a dead battery.
Short and Long Term Travel
Depending on the length of your trip you may want to go ahead and purchase local chargers for your devices. Say you plan to stay in a country for several months or move abroad completely, replacing your device with one purchased locally, to match the exact voltage, is worth consideration and advised! As a general rule of thumb, the world runs in two voltage ranges: 110-127V or 220-240V. If the device you want to charge falls with the range, you won’t run into any problems short term; it will work and it will charge but it is not best for the plug and product.
Checking Your Device Voltage
Before you travel, and especially before you plug something into a wall, it is important to look for the input voltage on the plug or power cord. Sometimes this is listed on the plug or power cord, but sometimes it is found on the devise itself. Can’t find it in either spot? The user manual or a quick Google search may do the trick. Most devices these days are designed to run within either the 110-127V or 220-240V voltage range but again its important to be on the safe side before you fry your device!
Additional Tips
Buy adapter plugs before you leave: Its best to plan ahead and buy an adaptor before you leave for your trip but if you forget, most international airports have connivence stores which sell them or any large transportation location such as large train stations. Adapters are available at most travel/luggage stores, pharmacies, electronics stores in most countries.
Look at the back side of adaptors: Most adaptors allows you to plug your device directly into it but some now allow USB ports to directly plug into.
Check your plug, adaptor and universal before: Double-check that they have the specific plug or outlet is correct before going in for the charge
Multiple devices?: Have a lot of items to charge or plug in? Buy an adapter plug for each device and plug each one into a separate outlet. Or you can buy a single adapter plug and a power strip with multiple outlets but we advise spending the extra money to have a multi-outlet surge protector because it adds a level of protection for places with less stable electrical grids and ensures your devises (and you) stay safe!