International Voltage-Finder Search Engine Find Voltages Around The World

If you are going to use electrical appliances abroad, you need to know what type of electrical voltage is used in the country where you're traveling and what type of adapter or plug is needed to plug your appliances into the outlet.

Most electrical appliances made for use in the U.S. work at 115 volts. While most of North and South America, the Caribbean and Japan also use 110-voltage electricity, most countries in Europe and other parts of the world have 220-volt electrical outlets. (References to 110 or 220 volts are approximate; actual voltage may vary in either case, but the amount of variance from the "official" voltage is generally insignificant.)

You can buy voltage converters that will convert 110-volt appliances to 220, however, to complicate matters there are different types of converters for different types of appliances. Small electronics, razors and non-heating appliances will need a 50-watt converter. Heating appliances such as dryers, irons, coffee makers and other high-power electrical appliances need a 1600-watt converter. You can also purchase combination converters for both types. Check the label on your electrical appliance to find its wattage. To further complicate matters, some electronics such as TV's, VCRs and computers are designed for 60 cycles-per-second (HZ) electricity and cannot tolerate the 50 cycles-per-second (HZ) electricity found in many countries. Even if you have the right converter you run the risk of blowing a fuse in your hotel or burning out your electrical appliances. 

Given the complexities of safely using your electrical appliances overseas, you may want to consider some alternatives. If you plan on staying in one country for awhile, you might want to buy a hair dryer or electric razor there. Battery operated appliances are another option if you don't mind constantly replacing the batteries. Or, you can do as many experienced travelers do and leave all the electrical appliances at home. You probably don't really need them and they're often more trouble than they're worth overseas. 

If you must take some electrical appliances with you abroad, your best bet is to buy travel-size dual-voltage appliances that can run on both 110 and 220 currents. Make sure the switch is on the proper voltage for the country you are in before using the appliance. You will also need to carry adapter plugs with you to fit the outlets in the countries you're visiting.
 

Adaptor Plugs

An adapter will allow you only to plug your appliance into another type of outlet. It will not change the electrical voltage. There are several types of electrical plugs that are used about 95% of the time around the world. We have diagrams of adapter plugs and the countries in which they are used - you can view them on the next page - Click Here -
 

Where To Buy Adapters & Converters

Converters and sets of adapter plugs are available at travel & luggage stores and at Radio Shack. A set of adapter plugs costs around $10 US and in some stores you can buy an individual adapter for only a couple of dollars. If you are having trouble locating the converter or adapter that you need, try calling Magellan's in the U.S. at 800-962-4943, or call Franzus at 203-723-6664 and ask them for a distributor near you. If you need more information about electricity in the country you are visiting, you can try asking Magellan's or you can order a comprehensive guide to electric current abroad from the U.S. Department of Commerce National Technical Information Service (NTIS) by calling 703-605-6050 or 800-553-6847. One thing we've seen on-line is the: 
Franzus All In One Travel Adapter Plug - it is designed for the four most common adapter plug configurations housed in a compact, easy-to-use one piece unit. Surge protection keeps appliances safe, accepts grounded, ungrounded, polarized and non-polarized plugs from dozens of countries.  It is available on-line - Franzus All In One Travel Adapter Plug - 
Also See: 
GeoPlug 5 in 1 Adaptor Plug Kit System -GeoPlug 5 in 1 Adaptor Plug Kit System -  Voltage Valet's patented GeoPlug allows you to connect voltage converters, transformers and dual voltage appliances to foreign electrical outlets. The GeoPlug includes the 5 most common plug configurations found world wide. The unique rotation action presents the plug you need-one at a time. 
Customised Adaptor Plug & Power Cable kits - Customised Adaptor Plug & Power Cable kits -  for business travellers with PC & MAC portable & laptop computers to access Email and FAX services Internationally with Impactron Telephone & Power connector kits 
Travel adapters & plug sets for using appliances overseas - TRAVELARTS - Travel adapters & plug sets - 
Recommended - World Wide Phone Guide -World Wide Phone Guide - This is a guide to some typical issues that may arise when you try to hook up your modem in a different country. It includes a table of telephone plugs used worldwide, ways to deal with hard wired phone systems, and how to handle special situations like digital phones and tax impulses. This is intended especially for world travelers and “road warriors,” although the information here can also be useful for people who have purchased and/or moved computer equipment from one country to another. 

Source: U.S. Dept of Commerce
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