You’ve renewed your passport, bought your plane ticket and have your destination accommodations confirmed and in order. Now it’s time to prepare for the little details of traveling overseas. TOP PRIORITY: making sure you have the right equipment needed to use the electrical appliances you’re brining on your trip.
All electrical sockets are not created equal! You need to know what type of voltage is used in the country you’re visiting and what type of adapter or converter is needed to provide the juice to energize your electrical appliance. A few of these must-have appliances: curling iron, dryer, laptop computer.
Do You Need Electrical Appliances?
Always something to consider – do you really need them? They may be convenience, but they provide extra weight, too. Most hotels offer hair dryers and irons, and you can easily convert to manual razors and toothbrushes instead of their electric counterparts. OR, you may simply want to consider purchasing a hair dryer or electric razor in your final destination. Battery-operated appliances provide another solution.
Converters
Most American-made electrical appliances work at 110 volts. While Japan, most of North America, and parts of South America and the Caribbean use voltage between 100-125, the vast majority of the world uses 220-240 volts. Be sure to check the label and/or owner’s manual on your appliance before buying a converter, as it might be designed to work at BOTH 110 and 220 volts – particularly if it’s a newer laptop. KEY: if your appliance only operates at 110 volts, you will definitely need to buy a voltage converter. Further complicated details: some electronics are designed for 60-cycles-per-second electricity and cannot tolerate the 50-cycles-per-second electricity found in many countries. If you are not educated in advance, you risk blowing a fuse in your hotel.
Adapter Plugs
Even if two countries operate on the same voltage, their OUTLETS might not take the same shape of plug – and that’s where an adapter comes in. An adapter will allow you only to plug your appliance into another type of outlet – not change the electrical voltage.
Where to buy adapters and converters? We recommend purchasing at most travel/luggage stores and at electronic stores like Best Buy and Radio Shack. Prices range from a few dollars to $20, so they are relatively inexpensive, in the big scheme of things. A little knowledge and research before you go will alleviate the stress of struggles – allowing you only the time to enjoy every bit of the experience – whether it’s business or pleasure.
