Dumb, low-tech questions
 

1.In the UK, standard household current is 230V/50 Hz. They have funny power connectors, too. Many places advertise "shaver points". I assume these are US-style outlets that will supply 115 volts (50 HZ?)with enough power to run a shaver. Maybe a dozen watts or so. Is this correct?

2. Given the above, if I were to plug in a 1500 watt hairdryer in the "shaver points". all hell would probably break loose. What does one do about hair dryers, if they are not provided? I might not mind carrying adapter plugs, but I'm not going to schlepp a transformer around the world with me.

Buy a dual volatage travel hair dryer

http://www.brookstone.com/shop/produ...s=hair%20dryer

or

Let your hair air dry http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

I wouldn't use the shaver points for anything but a shaver. I once had a Nokia phone charger die from this point (it was a 100V-250V, but something is not good with some of these hotel power points)

A dual voltage hair dryer as suggested is your best bet.

Get dual volatge appliances for when you travel. Hair dryer, iron, battery charger, cell phone chargers, just make sure anything you buy to travel with is dual volatge, and carry a converter with you.

The shaver points, I believe, put out VERY low current. My cellphone charger fried a shavepoint in Hong Kong to the point where it shut down...

I can't speak to "shaver points", but cheap voltage "converters" clip the input power using diodes. This is generally OK for resistive appliances like hairdryers but very bad for modern electronics.

Your cellphone shut down Hong Kong? What does it run on?

What kind of adapter should I get to run my laptop? It's brand new, and I've been told it's dual voltage, but that I still need a plug adapter...

Buster the plug adapter you need depends on where you're going and what shape plugs will be there. In most cases a basic set that you can buy at Target, Staples, or Radio Shack will cover your needs.

Buster what you need is a travel plug NOT a conveter. Don't let someone sell you a convertor... All notebook power supplies are dual voltage these days.

Thanks for reminding me - will pull out the travel plug now for my trip to Ams!

Depending on where you're staying, a lot of places have hairdryers so you don't need to bring one. But if you do, a dual voltage one (obtainable at any store) plus travel plug & you're ok.

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Sharon

[This message has been edited by SkiAdcock (edited 08-26-2003).]

Also see:

http://kropla.com/electric2.htm