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Travel Articles by David Bear
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Making foreign connections

09-07-2003

Electricity can be a rude shock for first-time travelers to foreign destinations; or perhaps more accurately, an absence of shock.

Electrical power is neither generated nor delivered the same way everywhere around the world. If you plan to take any plug-in devices overseas, be aware that the electrical current and voltage may be dramatically different from how it is in the United States. Even in places where the power is the same as home, different wall outlets may make plugging into that power stream impossible.

For unprepared travelers, these current affairs can be frustrating, costly, even dangerous. Here are points to consider on plugs and power.

First, electricity is generally delivered at either 110/125 volts AC (alternating current) or at 220/250 volts AC. The lower current, which is standard in the United States, also is used across Canada and Mexico, as well as almost all other countries in the Western Hemisphere and islands in the Caribbean. The higher voltage is common across Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.

But there are many exceptions.

For example, in Japan, the current is delivered at 100 volts. In more than two dozen countries, the electrical service is 110 volts in some areas and 220 volts in others.

Powering an electrical device that has a motor designed for 110 volts on 220-volt current will make it work twice as fast and is likely to fry any delicate circuitry. Heat-producing devices will also run twice as hot. On the other hand, trying to operate a device designed for higher voltage on lower power will not produce the desired result. That's why bringing foreign devices back to use at home is not a good idea.

Another point: although alternating current (AC) is the standard most places, some areas of Argentina, Brazil, India and South Africa use direct current (DC). That is also the case on many cruise ships, particularly older and smaller ones.

Even the AC standards vary. In the United States, the current alternates 60 times (60 hertz) a second, but in some other counties, it cycles only 50 times a second. The difference probably won't harm your appliance, although devices that depend on the cycle for timing will run slow.

Before you head overseas, check the electrical specifications of the places you'll be visiting. Many appliances today are designed to be dual voltage and can be easily changed to accommodate different electrical systems. For appliances that are not dual current, you will need an electricity converter.

Low-wattage converters work for appliances that use no more than 50 watts of power.

Higher wattage converters are available for appliances that use up to 2,000 watts of power. These tend to be heat-producing devices such as hair dryers, irons, hot plates, coffee makers, curling irons and heating coils.

If the wattage is not indicated on your appliance, you can multiply the voltage by the amperage to determine the wattage. Thus a 120-volt appliance that uses 6 amps of power will draw 720 watts.

No converter is intended for appliances that are used for long periods, such as power tools, or for appliances with complex electronic circuitry, such as fax machines and VCRs. Appliances such as those require a step-down transformer. Fortunately, battery chargers come with many laptop computers, and camcorders have their own transformers built in.

Step-down transformers come in several sizes, based on the electrical requirements of the appliance you're using. Common ratings are 100, 250, 500 and 1,000 watts. The larger transformers may be heavy, weighing down your luggage.

Every electrical device carries information about its voltage and wattage requirements. Always use a transformer rated at least 10 percent higher than the appliance. Never use a transformer in a 110-volt plug. Also remember to unplug the converter or transformer when you're not using it to prevent it from overheating.

If you acquire any 220-volt appliance overseas, you will need to buy a "reverse" transformer for it to run once you get home.

Unfortunately, getting the power source rectified to your appliance is not the end of the story. Electrical connections are the other primary concern.

There are 13 plug configurations in use throughout the world. Five are ungrounded, and eight are grounded.

The ungrounded plug we use in the United States (two flat, parallel prongs) is the standard throughout the Western Hemisphere, at least in those countries that run on 110 AC.

Most ungrounded plugs in Europe and Asia have two fat, round prongs, while plugs in Britain and Ireland have three flat or two oversized round prongs. In Australia, New Zealand and much of the South Pacific, ungrounded plugs have two flat prongs, but they are set at angles.

All grounded plugs have three prongs, but they may be flat, round or a combination of the two, and the angles and orientation also vary. Even the shape of the plug and the receptacle in which it fits can vary.

Confused? Well, here are some general rules of thumb. Since the two-pronged system is used in North, Central and most of South America, the Caribbean and Japan, U.S. travelers need power converters and adapter plugs only for trips to Europe, Britain, Asia, Africa and Australia. Before traveling to any of those destinations, you can check the specific voltage and plug requirements at the Web site operated by the Franzus Co., a wholesaler of this sort of electrical equipment (www.travel-accessories-products.com/voltage_guide.htm) or call 1-800-706-7064.

Basic kits containing a simple transformer and the five most common plug configurations begin at about $25. Basic step-down converters are slightly more expensive, while heavier-duty converters can run $100 or more. Electrical kits can be purchased at most computer and travel stores, as well as major retailers, such as Wal-Mart and Kmart.

Of course, it is also possible to avoid all of these issues by leaving your plug-in appliances at home. Batteries are much more universal than plugs.



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