Traveling with Electric Appliances and Computers

Using electrical appliances around the world can be a taxing experience. There are different voltages and different plugs. Using a laptop and a modem adds a layer of complexity to your travel planning.

In the United States, most handheld, electrical appliances, such as razors, use 110/120 volt, alternating current. Many other countries use 220/240 volt current. To safely use your razor or curling iron you need to change the voltage to 120 volts. For simple heating appliances, like an iron, you can use a converter. A converter, as its name implies converts the 240 volt current to the 120 volts that your American appliance wants.

For more sophisticated devices like laptop computers, buy a transformer. Transformers are more expensive and heavier than converters, BUT they do a better job and are safer for things with chips. If you only want to carry a single unit, make it a transformer.

The next problem is that plug at the end of the cord on your curling iron or laptop won't work in many other countries. It almost seems as if each country has its own assortment of wall outlets. Make a list of the countries you plan to visit and then research what adapters you need for each country. An adapter accepts the plug on the end of the cord of your appliance. The other end plugs into the wall outlet in another country. If you plan to travel to four countries, you may need four adapters!

Things get a little easier for your dial-up modem connection. Most European nations use the same phone connectors as the United States. (its called an RJ-11.) The trouble using your modem is the wide variety of dial tones you will encounter around the world. (It is recommended that you instruct your modem to ignore dial tone when dialing up overseas.)

For an extensive assortment of adapters, transformers, and converters, visit the Travel Store.