[Hidden-tech] European Voltage: Adapter or Voltage Converter

[ussailis at shaysnet.com]

Check the power supply for the computer before you do anything else. It
will give the input voltage.

Most laptop power supplies can accacpt anything from 100 Volts (Japan) to
240 Volts (UK), 50 Hz (most of the world), and 60 Hz (Most of the
Americas). Where you are going is 220 / 230 Volts, 50 Hz. 

If your computer is similar, all you need is a plug adaptor, available at
any hardware store there for about a USD. You don't need a voltage
converter. The plug adaptor is just that. A device that connects our plug
to their plug.

I believe that all the countries you mentioned use the same plug...at least
for most buildings. I have seen something different in Switzerland once.

Incidently, the UK uses a completly different plug. An adaptor for the UK
costs about 2lbs 50. I got one at a 'farmers market' in Swanzey.

Radio Shack did sell a set of plug adaptors here for about $15.

Now, if your power supply doesn't describe different input voltages assume
you CAN NOT use it without a voltage converter. You can get a voltage
converter at You-Do-It Electronics in Needham, MA. They can be seen, and
are very close to Rt 128. Call first. It is best to get the voltage
converter on this side of the pond. They are not plentiful there.
----

The camera is a differnt kettle of fish. Many use a 'wall cube,' power
supply which may or may not allow many voltages. A rule of thumb is if the
wall cube is heavy it can NEVER be connected to any different voltage or
frequency. If it is light, read it. If there is no info about input
voltages, assume you CAN NOT use it. This is a case where you would be best
not to read the owners manual, as the mfg might have changed wall cube
power supply since the manual was written.

----

Do NOT use a plug adaptor for any other device, unless you want to kill the
device, blow building fuses or start a fire.


Jim Ussailis
jim at nationalwireless.com



Original Message:
-----------------
From: Afranio Torres-Neto webal at hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 24 May 2007 17:48:48 -0400
To: hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net
Subject: [Hidden-tech] European Voltage: Adapter or Voltage Converter


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  Hello Everyone !!!

  My brother is going to Copenhagen, Denmark pretty soon and I would like
to 
know since he is bringing his laptop(2 years old) with him and his digital 
camera with rechargeable battery, what does he need to buy/bring so both 
equipments won't burn once he plugs into the outlet. Most of the stores I 
visited said just to get an adapter only, his laptop would change the 
voltage automatically.

  He also plans to go to Brussels, Sweden, Italy and France. If you have 
been there and like to contact me directly that would be great, places to 
see and things to do so I could pass it on to him. My brother will be 
studying there for one month studying: the rise of the Right Wing Political 
party of France and Denmark.

  Thanks in advance,
  Afranio Torres Neto

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