Download Electricity

ELECTRICITY:
Take a look at the picture and find the similar information on your appliance (it will either be on the
plug or on the appliance itself).
Look at the underlined part in this photo. You can see that this product will take 100-240V. This
means that the appliance will work in both the US (which takes 110V) and Europe (and indeed the
rest of the world, most of which uses 220-240V).
If your product is similarly labeled, your product will also work in Europe. The only problem is that the plug won't
physically fit - for this you will need an adapter (England uses a 3-prong plug; France/Spain use a 2-prong plug. PIX pg.2)
If your appliance doesn't mention compatibility with 240V, then you'll need to adapt the power your appliance receives
from the wall. You will need to buy a Voltage Converter.
OR: Plan to share electronics, especially if you’re traveling with a friend!
What Devices Are You Bringing?
Electrical devices use heating elements or mechanical motors. Many are rated for dual-voltage, and may be
automatic or manual. Examples:
 Hair dryer
 Electric shaver or toothbrush
 Irons (for clothes or hair)
Electronic devices use chips, circuits or electronic motors. Most are rated formulti-voltages. Examples:
 Laptop, notebook, tablet, e-reader
 Smartphone, cellphone, MP3 player
 Camera
 Battery chargers (for devices with rechargeable batteries)
Both types of devices are likely to need an adapter plug to work in 220V foreign outlets. Our adapter plug
chart below lists the most common ones.
Some devices of either type, however, are single-voltage rated and may require a voltage converter or
a transformer in addition to an adapter plug. How do you know? First, read the device's power supply label.
How to Read a Power Supply Label
The label on your device will indicate if a voltage converter or transformer is necessary. This may be: a) affixed directly
to the back of the device; b) on the AC transformer box of the power supply lead; or c) molded into the plastic on the
plug. It is often in very small print.
The INPUT line contains the key information—whether the voltage (V) is single, dual or multi. Examples:
Single-voltage device: INPUT AC120Vac 60Hz 200W
Dual-voltage device: INPUT AC120/240V 50-60Hz 1300W
Multi-voltage device: INPUT AC100 — 240V 50-60Hz 14W OUTPUT DC 1.2V 2.3A
Dual-voltage devices use a slash to separate the 2 voltages (in this case, 120V/240V); multi-voltage items use a dash to
indicate the range of voltages (in this case, 100—240V).
Items with a small voltage range (such as 100—120V) are considered single-voltage items since they will not
accommodate a 220V power supply. For practical purposes, there is no difference between 100V and 120V or, for that
matter, between 220V and 240V. These small ranges are designed to accommodate voltage fluctuations only.
Device Conversion Chart
Device and Type of
Voltage (INPUT)
Power Supply in
Destination Country
Adapter
Plug
Needed?
Converter
Needed?
Transformer
Needed?
Any type, single:
110, 115, 120, 125V
110-125V
Yes
No
No
Electrical, single:
110, 115, 120, 125V
220, 230, 240V
Yes
Yes, or a
transformer
Yes, or a
converter
Electronic, single:
110, 115, 120, 125V
220, 230, 240V
Yes
No
Yes
Electrical, dual:
120/240V
110, 220, 230,
240V
Yes
No
No
Electronic, multi:
100-240V
110, 220, 230,
240V
Yes
No
No
ADAPTER PLUGS:
ENGLAND (3-prong)
FRANCE/SPAIN (2-prong, rounded)