![]() Then, be sure to buy a converter with a wattage rating that is two to three times higher than the device you plan to operate in order to safely convert. You need to know the wattage of your device in order to determine the appropriate voltage converter to purchase so look on the indications label of your device for the W to get this information. But many heating devices needing a higher setting can consume between 1000W and 2000W. You can find out the wattage of your device by looking for the W on the power label.Ī low-watt range is typically 23W to 50W, which is usually the wattage range of the most common travel electronics. Watts: Watts (W) measure how much power a device uses. Read on for all you need to know about watts. To determine now what model of converter you’ll need, you will have to figure out the wattage of your device and purchase a voltage converter that complements that. Single voltage devices require a plug adapter AND a voltage converter and/or a transformer for international travel. If you see something on the power label that looks more like 110V AC or 120V AC, it’s a single voltage device. How do I know if my device is single voltage? Many digital dual voltage devices adjust automatically. Some dv devices have settings on them so be sure it’s switched to the correct V before operating it. ![]() These devices should read something like 100/240V (V=voltage) or 110~220V AC (V AC=volts, alternating current). Plug adapters do not convert electricity converters do that, but you won’t need one for a dual voltage device. Many common persovonal devices-like an iPhone charger, laptops, and cameras-that people like to travel with can be easily powered up abroad with a simple plug adapter because they are dual voltage devices. Plug adapters are much smaller, lighter, and, thankfully, they’re also pretty cheap. Luckily, many travel gadgets are dual voltage, so you’ll only need a plug adapter, also called a travel adapter. Is my device dual voltage? How can I tell?Ī dual voltage device can accept both 110-120V and 220-240V. Here’s how you can tell and why it’s important: This can be discovered by determining if your device is a single voltage device or a dual voltage device. A transformer steps up the voltage from 110 to 220/240 (or many others!) and feeds that voltage down a single "Line" along with the Common and Ground.First off, let’s find out if you need a voltage converter or simply a plug adapter. In a typical US Home environment, 220V uses 2 Lines (Hot) and a Ground vs a typical 110V connection where you have a Line, Common, and Ground. However Commercial / Industrial applications often have a transformer (or several transformers) that "step up" the voltage on a single phase. Note: This is regarding *Single Phase* 220/240V, NOT 220V you would get in most home environments in the US. Older and cheaper equipment (mostly power supplies) may have a "switch" that you simply take a small flathead screwdriver and move it from 110 to 220, while newer equipment is often auto-sensing. Computers, Switching Power Supplies, Radios, etc) have a very wide usable voltage range generally something like 80-260VAC 50/60hz. ![]() ![]() You can simply buy a 110v to 220v converter to make the appliance works smoothly. ![]() In some countries, you can get severely punished if anything goes wrong because you tried this. In all cases, you are probably contravening local regulations, because in most countries, the electrical sockets are designed to accept only certain plugs, in order that you do not mismatch appliance voltage and outlet voltage. Determining the wattage/load is usually performed by the design engineer to meet the performance specs set by the electrical engineer. It is current that is your enemy, a piece wire that is warm at 110V (120v) will turn into a fuse at 220V (230v, 240v), all other things being equal. The insulation is usually not a problem unless there is a major flaw in the design. If you plug a 220V device into 110V outlet, it will normally last a little longer before it dies.Īn AC mechanical drive may fail to start, or it may take up more current than it is designed for, and eventually burn out. If it is a universal drive, (or DC), it may spin up to twice its intended speed, and wear out quickly. If it is some AC drive, it most likely will burn out very quickly. If it is some kind of heating device, (toaster, incandescent light, lamp, bulb, space heater) it will develop close to four times the designed heat, and probably burn out in minutes, or seconds. If you plug an 110V appliance in 220V outlet (same as 120v to 230v, 240v) you can only hope that some protection device disconnects the power to the appliance. The mathematical reference is Ohm's Law and the Power Triangle. It depends upon the nature of the appliance but generally speaking if the voltage is too high it draws too much current and burns out, if the voltage is too low it draws too little current and/or does not perform to its rating. ![]()
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