Quick Reference Guide to Voltage Converters

Voltage converters are usually purchased in the form of devices that allow appliances made for voltage in one region to work in a region with a different voltage. Voltage converters are sometimes referred to as "travel adapters" and "power converters." Most electrical outlets in the world supply power at 100-120 Volts or 210-240 Volts. If you live in a region with 110V electricity and move or travel to a region with 220V electricity, you'll need a voltage converter to be able to use your home devices in the new region.

What Kind of Converter Do I Need for Travel?

You need to know the voltage of the equipment you'll be traveling with and the mains voltage in the country you'll be visiting. You'll also need to know the power consumption of the appliance you'll be traveling with. Say you have a 110V toaster that you want to use in Germany, which has 220V mains. If the toaster requires 800 watts of power to work, you'll want a converter that can handle 25% to 30% more wattage than what the toaster needs and that will make your toaster work with 220V electricity. If you need a converter for a motorized appliance, your converter should handle twice the wattage the appliance uses.

What Do Step Up and Down Voltage Converter Transformers Do?

Step up and down voltage converters are very versatile. Suppose you have a 110V device that you want to use in a country that uses 220V supply. You will need a step down converter to step the 220V down so that it won't fry your 110V appliance. And if you have a 220V device you want to use in a country that has 110V supply, you'll need a step up voltage converter to step the voltage up to where it will operate the 220V appliance. Step up and down voltage converter transformers are devices that can step appliances up or down. These are handy for people who travel frequently to regions with different mains voltages.

Why Good Voltage Converters Are Heavy

Voltage converters and voltage transformers require many features to safely and effectively control and distribute voltage. Although lightweight metals like aluminum can be used in transformer coils, heavy copper is a better choice. Copper coils increase transformer efficiency and reduce the amount of heat generated, so these devices may be heavier than you would expect. However, they are worth it because they last longer and cost less (in terms of electricity) to operate.

Final Considerations for Selecting the Correct Voltage Converter

You may visit a country, like Vietnam or Brazil, where dual voltage exists. In these places, you may be able to use your 110V devices or 220V devices. However, buying a voltage converter is recommended, since dual voltage is not always available everywhere throughout countries that offer it. Be certain that the voltage converter you buy can handle more than the wattage of the equipment you will need to use. Using a converter that can handle twice the wattage of the device you plan to use it with is wise. Using an underpowered voltage converter can cause heat buildup and make your appliances shut down altogether.

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+Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon International. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2013 (Mon Apr 30 2012) Majon International. Majon International is one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing and internet advertising companies on the web. Visit their main business resource internet marketing web site at: http://www.majon.com