Power conversion?....Is a plug converter all I need for 110 to 220
 

I am heading to Europe late this week.... I got a plug converter for my laptop adaptor..... but the lady at the travel store said make sure the computer adaptor says it is good for 110-220.... (which it does)......

But then it got me to thinking.... can I use this plug converter for things like my sonicare toothbrush recharger or my electric shaver.... or do I need some sort of additional power converter? :confused:

She's correct. However your shaver is most likely not a freevolt model (100-240V) so you will need a small transformer for that. But at the same time, my experience has been that in Europe many hotels have a 110V plug in the bathroom for your shaver (labeled Shaver Only) so you can try and push your luck there. Otherwise I'd say you're stuck having to pick up a mini-transformer at Radio Shack.

Hi, I am traveling to Asia (from the US) next month and need help determining what I need to buy to be able to use my electrical things (laptop, cell phone charger, electric shaver, etc) abroad.

I am traveling to Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand which all seem to have 220V/ 50Hz requirements.

I also found this website, which seems to be a good resource, but I'm still confused.

So, what the heck do I need to buy!!??!!! :confused:

World Electric Guide
 

I've always found the WORLD ELECTRIC GUIDE a valuable resource: http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm

Most chargers for laptop computers, cameras, phones are dual voltages, so you can plug them in 110 or 220 outlets. Hong Kong/Singapore use the same outlet/plug type; Thailand uses continental Europe outlets/plugs. All of them use 220. Philippines is the only Asian country that uses North American outlets/plugs but they are on 220, not 110.

If you find that you do not have the right adapter for the outlet, just call the concierge and ask for one.

Spot on. Just to add - the HK/SGP plug is the same (unsurprisingly given their collonial background) as the UK one ie 3 flat pins.

Japan is 110 and uses the same outlets as the US

However, it's 50Hz. Synchronous AC motors run slower. Used to mess up turntables (to play vinyl records) and clocks that had motors inside them, but who uses either of those now? Probably won't affect anything the average person would travel with, or even own, today.

Thanks for the detailed reply.
So, are you saying that I won't need a converter at all for my phone charger, for example? So for the purposes of my trip, all I would need is this and this then right?

Thanks for all the help guys, I am usually a pretty smart guy, but this stuff is just baffling to me :)

Yes, you don't need to buy a converter/transformer and you'll only need to have the standard UK plug for HK and Singapore outlets. Don't bother buying them since the concierge can loan you one.

To be sure that your chargers work on 110 and 220 volts, check the label. If it says "INPUT 100-240V" then you can plug it pretty much anywhere in the world without the use of a converter/transformer.

Thank you Peregrine and all who replied - you definitely saved me some money.

I will probably just buy the UK adaptor, as we are staying part of the time in Thailand at some smaller B&B type places that will not have full concierge service.

Thanks again!

I always find that I forget or lose loose plug adaptors while traveling.

i've seen good ones on sale for in-flight for like CX, SQ, LH, etc.

Here is one for LH

http://www.lh-worldshop.com/products...bmLocale=en_EN

there is also this one that I think looks like this, but the picture is so bad

http://doitbest.com/shop/product.asp...065&sku=554529

I'm pretty sure its the one I use. I like the little small box form factor. Then again I carry around a little airport express.

Bummer - just saw that my electric razor only says 125v on it. So maybe I will have to buy a converter after all :td:

Wait a minute. Most chain hotels in Asia (Europe and Latin America as well) come with standard 110-125v North American outlets in the bathroom (for shavers and dryers).

The electrical situation in Japan is actually even more complicated. :)

The voltage is slightly lower than in the US, nominally 100 V rather than 120 V. This isn't usually a problem, though, since most US appliances are designed to behave reasonably in "brownouts." The frequency varies from region to region: in Tokyo it is 50 Hz, while in Osaka it is 60 Hz. The dividing line between the two halves of the power grid is somewhere in between.

Also, two-wire outlets without a safety ground are much more common in Japan than in the US.