Travel converters help - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: wardenclyffe
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2011, 12:32:38 am
content: Hey guys,I have got a friend who is going to study in the UK for two years and she was recently shopping for a travel converter to go from 220V to 110V for her US appliances and such. I haven't seen the description myself, but she told me that the one she was looking at specifically said not to use it with computers or electric circuitry. I don't have a clue as to why this is the case unless they are trying to protect against that rare external power supply that isn't dual voltage. Does anyone know why this would be the case? Is it a grounding thing or possibly a wattage level? Sorry I can't provide much more information than that, but I am hoping someone out there is familiar with these international adapters and can help me out.

author: Computeruser
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2011, 12:37:07 am
content: If your friend is going for two years, it would really be better to get appliances that span 100V through 240V without any adapters.My computer, camera, phone, and hairdryer all span that range (the hairdryer needs to be switched).Little convertors are most like not transformers and may put out a waveform that averages out correctly, but may have a lot of harmonics and damage delicate equipment.For a long period, it is best to prepare properly with appliances that adapt. ... C

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2011, 02:10:55 am
content: To be precise, the converter needs to go from 240 V to 120 V, but most of them will be a bit vague about voltages.The lightweight, lower cost travel converters use a fairly ugly kind of switch mode power scheme with a horrible output waveform containing lots of noise. They should only be used for heating devices like hair dryers or travel kettles. The output is not clean enough for electronics. There are voltage converters that use proper transformers, but those are really heavy and not convenient for travelling.That being said, Computeruser is right, almost anything you travel with these days has universal voltage input. You only need a plug converter, not a voltage converter.On the subject of plug converters, here is a comparison of good (on the left) and bad (on the right):Note that the good one has a fuse, it has insulated pins for live and neutral, and it has a connected earth pin. The bad one does not have any of those.As far as I can recall, I bought the good one from Maplin in the UK (a long time ago), and I bought the bad one from some unknown shop probably in the US. I recommend getting adapters like the good one (and maybe waiting until arriving in the UK to buy them, since they will then comply with UK electrical standards).Edit: Maplin still sell the one I have:http://www.maplin.co.uk/tourist-to-uk-travel-adaptor-with-edge-guard-29828

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2011, 04:31:12 pm
content: You can buy little transformers about the size of wallwarts but they're normally only rated up to 65VA.The limiting factor is the current: it's best to check the current rating of an appliance before using it with a transformer.I agree with the advice given above: the best solution is to just buy new equipment in the UK which will work from the UK voltage.

author: electrodynatronic
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 17, 2011, 09:52:08 pm
content: Your friend has a computer that which does not have a universal power supply? Is it an Osborne or a Commodore64? Tell her to upgrade! She can run Wordstar in an emulator. My old clunker Thinkpad has one "input 100-240 VAC 50/60Hz" The old clunker Thinkpad that I had before this one also had a universal power supply. I have travelled all over the world and always been able to us my laptop either by replacing the cord part that plugs in, or getting a little adapter.Also, it's nonsense that computers need special high quality electricity. Feed them a beautiful sine wave and they'll just turn it into noisy DC anyway.As far as wall warts go, go to an electronics shop and get new ones when she gets there.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2011, 12:31:14 am
content: Most international adapters ( transformers ) , are made to serve low wattage like 10-30W ( the most common ones),and up to 100W-250W the most powerful.The old televisions that need about 80W was covered by the large one adapters.The smaller ones are good for electrical shaving machines / old mini chargers/ and radio CD players.No way to operate a hair dryer with those, but this stuff is cheap, she will get a new one.All laptop chargers have universal power supply, plus all the mobile phone chargers.And about the computer PSU, there must be some information on it.It could be 120V onlyorswitchable to 110-220 by switchoruniversal power supply.As soon she gets there she will find a local computers technician to help her.Here is an example of one converter at 300W .. its simply BIG and a bit heavy. ( Yes its my)