Voltage Converters or Voltage Transformers: What’s the Difference?
Voltage converters and voltage transformers allow you to operate your electric devices safely in foreign countries where the electrical outlet standards are different than your own home country. They have the same purpose – converting electricity from one voltage to another – but their function is slightly different. Some of your electrical devices don’t care which one you choose. Others, such as your cell phone, laptop or iPad, will be very unhappy if you try to plug them into the wrong one. How do you decide between voltage converters and voltage transformers?
Why You Need Converters or Transformers
The electrical system in the United States is a 110V system – that is, the electricity from your household electrical outlet is delivered at 110 volts. In Europe and many other areas of the world, the electric system is a 220V system. Electrical devices made for use in the respective areas are specifically designed to operate on the local electrical system. They won’t operate properly – or may be damaged – if you try to run them at a higher or lower voltage than the one for which they were designed. Voltage transformers and converters either step up the voltage from 110V to 220V or step down the voltage from 220V to 110V so that it can be used by your electrical appliance or device.
Do You Need a Converter or Voltage Transformer?
The choice between a voltage converter and voltage transformer depends on two basic factors – the type of electrical device you’ll be using, and the length of time you’ll be using it. In a nutshell:
If you want to plug in an electrical appliance with a heating element, pump or electrical motor, you can use a voltage converter. That includes such items as your hair dryer, curling irons, heated rollers, personal fan, coffee maker or hot water pot.
If the item you want to power uses electronic chips or circuits, you need to use a voltage transformer. That includes items such as your laptop computer, printer, VCR, television, cell phone charger, MP3 player and e-reader.
If you’re in doubt, use a transformer. Any kind of electrical device will operate happily with voltage transformers. Electronic devices will not work with – and may be damaged by – voltage converters.
The second factor to consider when deciding between converters and voltage transformers is the amount of time your item will be in use. Voltage transformers are designed for long-term, continuous use. Voltage converters are designed to be used for no more than an hour or two at a time. If you’ll be plugging in your item and leaving it plugged in continuously, choose a voltage transformer. For electrical appliances, like hair dryers, that you’ll be using for a short time and unplugging, voltage converters will be fine.
In addition to deciding between a transformer and converter and choosing a step up or step down converter/transformer, you also need to choose one that can handle enough wattage for your needs.
Check the label for all of the devices you intend to plug into the voltage converter at the same time, and add up the number of watts on each of them. That’s the minimum wattage that your voltage converter or transformer should be rated to handle. Most experts advise that you add at least 25 percent of that number to itself and choose a transformer or converter that can handle that amount. For example, if you intend to use your voltage converter for a hair dryer that requires 150 watts and cup warmer that requires 75 watts, you should use a voltage converter that is rated for at least 285 watts.
While you can purchase step up voltage converters or transformer or a step down voltage transformer or converter, it may make more sense to purchase a single device that can step voltage up or down. Many of these step up and step down voltage converter/transformers can operate with all of your devices and automatically sense exactly what your device needs.
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the world’s MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.
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