Can I use this charger in every country? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: FoxAdriano
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2025, 07:01:29 pm
content: Hello,someone told me that I can't use this charger while traveling around the world. Is that true? It doesn't seem so to me.Thanks for some info.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2025, 07:52:29 pm
content: I have never traveled to a country that did not fit into "100 to 240 V, 50-60 Hz" for single-phase AC power.The only possible exception would be DC, but that is now exceedingly rare.

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2025, 09:38:00 pm
content: Yes; it has what they call a "universal" power input ("AC 100-240 V/50-60 Hz", says so right on it).

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2025, 09:45:40 pm
content: Quote from: TimFox on May 13, 2025, 07:52:29 pmSome parts of San Francisco apparently still have DC service (at 250V DC), but it's for things like elevators and machinery. I don't think consumers would -ever- get that. So OP will be absolutely fine!The power label is kind of confusing, it implies 100W from USB-C1 but then 65W in the latter part with the ratings summed together, I assume it's a clumsy way of saying the total load of the supply should not exceed 200W, but it doesn't directly state that.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2025, 09:53:11 pm
content: Sure, but you'll need a bag of plug adapters. Or something like:https://www.amazon.de/Kopp-Konturenstecker-Schuko-Stecker-internationaler-172201018/dp/B000QY191E/

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2025, 10:43:54 pm
content: Quote from: tom66 on May 13, 2025, 09:45:40 pmI had to check that claim, and sure enough, SF does (or at least did as of 2012, probly still does) distribute DC:https://spectrum.ieee.org/san-franciscos-secret-dc-grid

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 13, 2025, 10:50:36 pm
content: Quote from: Benta on May 13, 2025, 09:53:11 pmI don't believe this garbage is safe. Never buy stuff with user accessible unused prongs.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2025, 11:10:36 pm
content: Quote from: Analog Kid on May 13, 2025, 10:43:54 pmBut you won't find a DC outlet in your hotel room...The east coast ended DC service relatively late, by supplying rectifiers to high-rise elevators, etc.

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2025, 11:36:07 pm
content: Quote from: TimFox on May 13, 2025, 11:10:36 pmUntil you do (image below), but that gets back around to the OPs larger question of how to power devices while travelling:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/universal-travel-adapter-pd-(power-delivery)-help!/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/is-this-adapter-better-for-travel-or-this-other-one/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/can-i-charge-my-pocket-3-with-this-charger/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/can-this-power-bank-power-a-30w-led-lamp-for-camera/

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2025, 12:02:41 am
content: Quote from: wraper on May 13, 2025, 10:50:36 pmBelieving is nice, but belongs in the church, not here.It's a simple mechanical device, where only one set of prongs can be connected at any time. You know, like a rotary switch.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 14, 2025, 12:24:24 am
content: Quote from: Benta on May 14, 2025, 12:02:41 amAnd internal rotating contacts could never possibly go wrong, short adjacent prongs when in intermediate position. Top notch safety design, my ass.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2025, 05:34:58 am
content: Yes, that charger should work everywhere.Quote from: FoxAdriano on May 13, 2025, 07:01:29 pmWhy do you suspect it might not work?Quote from: TimFox on May 13, 2025, 07:52:29 pmUsually the SMPS inside such a power brick will have a bridge with some filtering right after the mains input, so it will work even with DC. Not guaranteed, but usually it works with either AC or DC.

author: Ranayna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2025, 07:32:21 am
content: Quote from: Someone on May 13, 2025, 11:36:07 pmAre you refering to the USB sockets? Otherwise, there is not indication whether one or more of the other sockets is DC. Or does the US use Schuko for DC? Which would be absolutely hare brained stupid.EDIT: And i wouldn't trust these USB sockets *at all*. For electrical safety reasons, as well as IT security reasons.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2025, 07:51:37 am
content: Now I see the OP is keep asking the same question over and over.