![]() ![]() The line frequency throughout Europe is 50 cycles per second, 50Hz for short. How do you do that? You should not even try. Knowing if and when you must change European electricity so that it can be safely used in your gizmos is a significant nuisance for travelers. The purpose of this page is to bring you up to full power on the biggestīuggy-boo facing international travelers, that "electric converter" you have been advised to buy. Household items to bring and to bring not when you are relocating to Holland, France, Germany, and Switzerland. It is big volume and dead weight.Īmerican appliances may work but probably not. For example, you don't need to bring your hairblower. Most of what you need is in your bathroom right now. Personal Care Items for Europe: Pack Your Toothbrush and Toilet Paper Send an email if you need clarification on anything.Īdditional chapters discussing everything from hairblowers to televisions are at: This is a somewhat technical explanation with photo illustrations of just about everything you need to know. The bottom line is this: if you are unsure if you should use a plug adapter or voltage converter, you are always safe to use this converter.This Internet edition of chapter 11 is presented in three parts:Įlectric Converters for Europe: Should I use an electric converter in Europe? No.Įlectric power converters convert 220 volts to 110 volts but do not convert frequency.Ĭonverters can destroy your phones, ipads, cameras, computers, and chargers.Īmerican plugs do not fit in electric outlets in Europe.Įven if your gizmo is rated for 220 volts and 50Hz you can not plug it in.Īmerican plugs do not fit in any electric outlet in Europe.Įuropean Voltage Essentials: 220 Volts of Electric Power at 50Hz Frequency. Rather than use 6 plug adapters to charge our laptop, drone batteries, 2 cell phones, and 2 Kid’s Kindles, we can do all of that at the same time using a single outlet. The size, weight, and multiple charging ports make this converter our favorite. You won’t blow any fuses or ruin any devices. It comes with all of the plug adapters you may need for travel all over the world and is a voltage converter. ![]() ![]() When in doubt, convert voltage.Ĭonfused about a specific device? No worries, maybe the easiest solution is to simply use this device. Therefore, we always charge them using the voltage converter. For example, I honestly don’t know if our power bank or Bluetooth headphones can accept 240V or if they would explode. This device “converts” the voltage power down from 220-240 volts to the American 100-120 volts that all of our devices can always safely utilize. In this scenario, you need a voltage converter (NOT simply a plug adaptor). Some electronics give no indication and could be a problem if you use a plug adapter at 240 volts. Newer electronics, like our drone battery charger (see picture), clearly show it can accept input at a range of voltage. Generally speaking tablets, phones, and laptops can all be plugged into any voltage using just a plug adapter. A 220-240 volt European plug will destroy the device and create a safety hazard. Older style hair straightener or blow-dryer? Look out! Some of our American electronics (most but not all older items) can only handle receiving between 100-120 volts. Plug in a heating pad (only 110 volts!) to a 240 volt outlet with a plug adapter, and it will explode (true story, ask us later). This is where it starts to get a little bit more confusing. This creates connection issues, and we always have to watch out for this. Also, as you can see in the picture, adding a plug into the adapter can cause a wall plug to pull away slightly. WARNING: some devices cannot accept the higher voltage that most of the world’s plugs contain. On this trip, we use it at night in the kids’ room to plug in a Kindle for white noise. This universal adaptor is similar to what we use all over Europe. This is a very simple device that allows for your American plugs to be inserted into various worldwide electrical receptacles. This is where a plug adapter is required. However, plug receptacles look different outside of the USA! Step one is to figure out how to get your American-sized plug to fit. Any electrical device you travel with can be plugged into any outlet. In the United States, power outlets have the same size. But do you need a plug adapter or voltage converter? Learn the differences and what your trip needs are (hint: we use both), and find links for easy purchase below. You might even know that there is a different voltage for most of the world. You may know that outlets come in different sizes around the world. COVID-19 vaccinations are allowing for tourism to open, and prices are great (read more about our experience with COVID protocols in France here). Now is a great time to start planning your trip to Europe.
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