Using USA electronics (110V) in Europe (220V)

This is very important question to me, hope you guyz wilbe able to help me. I'm going back from USA to Europe. As you know we use different power (220V instead of 110). I decided to bring some electronics back with me. The question is, are they gonna work over there?

I made some research, plz correct me if I'm wrong.
Issue # 1 Voltage 110 into 220
Issue # 2 Different plugs/sockets.

Well, for most products you can use power converter, I use it when I'm at home, but here is where the tricky question is:

Some electronics put in specs that input can be 100V~240V. Well, I guess laptop can convert power, cause it has that huge thing on the power cord, but what about other stiff, like wireless router, and, just out of curiosity, monitors?

Is it gonna be enough to use just plug adapter?

 

You need to read the label on the stock power supplies and/or devices and see if they will accept 120-240V. If your laptop is sufficiently old enough, it may NOT have such a flexible power supply. If your devices are not rated for 120-240V operation, you will need to find a transformer AND an adapter: a transformer to change the voltage and an adapter to fit the European socket of your choice.

 

If it says 100V~240V on the plug, its safe to plug it in. If not, don't try, you will fry it.

The plug can be converted with an adapter, or you can buy a new European cord for your notebook, but beware most countries use Europlugs, but some, like UK don't. Its a totally different socket design.

 

We like to be awkward in the UK - driving on the left FTW!

 

I use an imported (from the USA) computer here in Germany without problems.
But as the others already said you shouldn't try it by hit or miss.

First check the voltage range. It must support 220V. My Fujitsu power brick supports 100-240V @ 50-60Hz. So it will work fine in both USA and Europe.

Second: The plug. Most laptop power bricks have a replaceable AC cable. So you can just replace the old cable with a new cable which has a plug which is used in the country you go to.

Devices which don't have a removeable AC cable need a socket adapter. Sadly this looks ugly.
It's also possible that some cheaper AC adapters (they are often quadratic, heavy and use a simple transformer) don't support both 110V and 220V. For such AC adapters you'll also have to buy a voltage converter. But because this is a waste of money, energy, space, .. you'll better just buy a new AC adapter in the European country which has the same output ratings the old had (Voltage and the same or higher current)

 

Almost every European Country got there own Outlet connector besides a few.

I am from Germany and i used to use a Washer from Germany over here which worked ok for about 2 Years then i start having issues with it.

Long story short FrankTabletuser is right...

The most Devices like Wireless router Printers Speakers which using a little AC adapter at the Outlet and a DC Voltage at the Unit, you just buy one with the rated low output Voltage and that`s it (Radio Shack). Notebooks most likely just need an Outlet adapter to use them (like a Travel Plug Kit). You can use a Desktop only if you have a switching Power supply in it and with adapters or you buy a new Cable with the correct plug.

If you planing of bringing stuff back to the US just make sure they do 110~220 (120~240) Volts and 50/60 hertz. If a Device does not say 50 Hertz it will most likely Died sooner or later. TV`s wont work because of the TV system here in the States NTSC in Germany and most European Countries using PAL.

Just a side note my Washer died because of the 50 hertz here in the US. The Dirty water return Pump is setup up for 60hertz so water income and return where out of balance. The Pump died after 2 years of using.

Hope that Helps....


Little_Ho

 

I don't recall having a notebook with a PSU that won't work on all normal mains voltages - switch mode power supplies have been in existence for over 20 years.

As for all the other AC adaptors, if they are heavy (= old-fashioned transformers) then the voltage / frequency range is likely to be limited. If they are relatively light (= electronic switch mode PSU) then they are more likely to handle a wide voltage and frequency range.

The best solution for any equipment for which the PSU doesn't like the European voltage is to look for a universal AC adaptor. These come with a selection of different power tips and a range of output voltages. See this as an example.

John

 

Yep, thanks for the answers. It's more then what I hoped for.