Wireless router for use in 220V countries.
 

I was looking (in the U.S.) at wireless routers to be used in countries where power supply is nominally 220 volts/50 Hz. I am specifically looking at netgear WGR614NA. I presume NA in the model number may have something to do with North America. That makes me wonder if NA means 110 Volts/60Hz only or it indicates the plug configuration (flat pins versus round pins in the plug). The power adapter specs indicate Power Adapter:

* 12.0 VDC, 1.0 A; plug is localized to country of sale


Does any one have authoritative information on this? The label on the power adapter says 110 Volts/60 Hz at 1 Amp, which makes me think it cannot be used in countries with 220V power supply.

I will also appreciate a if someone can recommend a router which comes with a power adapter good for universal voltage (110-240 V and 50/60 Hz).

Thanks in advance

Not sure specifically about that model, but my Linksys WRT54G only accepts 120V/60Hz input on the power brick. It would seem that, unlike most computer/laptops, the power bricks for these are not universal :td:

Thanks for your reply. I did have a US Robotics 5461 that I have away which had a universal voltage power adapter. But that was more than a year and half ago.

Most of the consumer-level equipment on the market comes with an appropriate power cube, which, as you suspect, is limited to 110V or 220V only. If you must have something with a universal (multi-range) voltage capability, there will probably be something in Cisco's catalogue, but also at Cisco's price.

My recommendation would be simply to buy a 230V power cube for your N American router. You can buy a generic 12V 1000mA cube, with various tips, in most electronic shops. Please bear in mind that to be properly legal in some countries (e.g. France) there can be various restrictions on the frequencies and power levels you use, even for 802.11b/g. I believe you have to be more careful still when using 802.11a.

Most routers nowadays are so cheap that they can't afford a switching power supply with them, so they ship them with a cheap power brick. Like the previous posters said; just find a universal 220V brick and use that or get a stepdown transformer rated for 1A.

Something like this might help
http://www.amazon.com/Jwin-JWNJAC52-...5342535&sr=8-9

(but this one is only 500ma )

Thanks all. Unless I can find it a place such as Circuit City, Office Depot etc. I will have to do without it on this trip as I am leaving tomorrow. Thank you all for your help.

Travel routers are dual voltage.

you'll have a better luck with a Radio Shack.

What about an Airport Express. It is dual voltage:

http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/specs.html

You can probably get it at an Apple Store or a Best Buy.

buy one at the airport or electonics store when you arrive

Just beware of polarity. Usually, + is the centre but there were oddballs with centre -ve polarity in the past.

Squeezing every dime out of the suppliers, who are almost all located in China. I wonder how much it would cost for dual voltage. Much less than a buck?

I definitely agree on the post recommending the Airport Express. Easy to travel with and has worked everywhere I have taken it. Initially bought it cause the Netgear I purchased did work on the 220 in Argentina but would not work with my ISP there. The Airport works great. Does not offer great range but then that was not an issue for me.

Sam

I second the Airport Express.

I have the WEP setup and stored on my laptop and BlackBerry. When I get to the hotel, if there is no wireless, I just plug it in to the power and plug the network cable in. Good to go!

I couple this with UMA on T-Mobile so that I get free calls to the US from Mexico, Europe and China! Makes the hour long calls to the family much less painless!