ADAPTER & CONVERTER FINDER

Please visit our new Going In Style responsive mobile travel adapter website www.goinginstyle.net for easy shopping on iPads, tablets and smart phones.

Adapter List by Country

The Adapter List by Country lists all countries alphabetically along with the corresponding Adapters you need for that country. This Adapter Plug chart also contains voltage information for each country - which will help you to determine whether or not you need a converter or a transformer to change the voltage for your American appliance. Note that Voltage Converters and Transformers are only needed if the country you are visiting is 220 volts, 230 volts, or 240 volts or if you are from a 220-240 volt country and are visiting the United States.

Adapter List by Country >> https://www.goinginstyle.mobi/pages/adapter-list-by-country

Adapters

Electrical plug adapters are usually required when you travel abroad. Adapters enable your appliances to be plugged in to any type of electrical outlet around the world by changing the pin configuration of your voltage power plug. Remember - Travel Adapter Plugs do not change the voltage or the current that comes out of the outlet.

Adapter & Converter Kits

Adapters and Converters packaged together make an easy solution for the traveler who is visiting multiple countries with different electrical outlets. Generally, only non-grounded adapters are included in the adapter/converter kits so be sure to buy grounded adapters as well if you are planning to use grounded (3 prong) appliances. Note that we do offer a Grounded Adapter Plug Kit for Europe – but this does not come with any converters – just the plugs. Always double-check the wattage of your appliances to ensure that you choose the right converter or transformer.

Voltage Converters

Converters change the voltage of the electricity coming out of the wall outlet to be compatible with your appliances. Going In Style has both converters for both Americans traveling to Europe and Europeans traveling to America. It is important to remember that converters are only designed for short-term use (20 – 25 minutes) - prolonged use will cause the converter to automatically shut down after time – but without damage to either your converter or your appliance.

Voltage Transformers

Transformers (sometimes deceptively called converters) perform the same function as a converter; namely, to modify the electrical wall voltage to be compatible with your appliances. The key difference here is that transformers are designed to operate continuously, whereas converters are meant only for short-term use. The trade-off is that voltage transformers are heavier in weight than voltage converters.

Phone & Modem Accessories

Need accessories for connecting your computer up to the internet? Going In Style offers a wide selection of telephone and modem accessories for your laptop or notebook computer. 

DETAILS: ABOUT ADAPTERS & CONVERTERS & TRANSFORMERS

All your Appliances are Dual Voltage ?

If all your appliances are dual voltage and are labeled 100 - 240V (look for the 240V), then you do not need a Converter nor do you need a Transformer.  Please go to the “See Adapter List by Country Chart”, review the list of countries you are traveling to and choose your adapter plugs. Adapter plugs are all you will need. Read our blog post on Dual Voltage Appliances >> https://www.goinginstyle.mobi/blogs/news/about-dual-voltage-appliances

ABOUT ADAPTERS

Electrical plug adapters are usually required when you travel abroad. Adapters enable your appliances to be plugged into any type of electrical outlet around the world by changing the pin configuration of your voltage power plug. You may find that the electrical outlets in other countries require rounded pins, are recessed into the wall, or have 3 angled input slots, etc. The power cords of our American appliances will not fit into most of these kinds of outlets, and so you will need an adapter to change the pin configuration to fit these foreign electrical outlets. Travel Adapter Plugs do not change the voltage or the current that comes out of the outlet.

If you have a question about changing electrical voltage, please scroll down to the section on “About Voltage Converters” or “About Voltage Transformers” below.

Do I need an Adapter Plug?

You will need to jot down answers to the following 3 questions.

Where are you going? _______________
List all the countries you are visiting.

What appliances are you taking with you? _______________
List everything you plan to use. If you plan to use multiple appliances simultaneously, you may need multiple adapters.

Are my appliances grounded or non-grounded? _______________
Some items, particularly computers, often require a grounding circuit for safety reasons. In the U.S., grounded appliances have a three-prong plug. If you plan to use any grounded appliances, you will need to purchase a grounded adapter. Non-grounded appliances have plugs with only two prongs. On your list, mark which appliances, if any, are grounded.

All your appliances are dual voltage? If yes, please go to the “See Adapter List by Country Chart” from the link below and choose your adapters.  If no, then read on.

ABOUT ADAPTER & CONVERTER KITS

Adapters and Converters packaged together make an easy solution for the traveler who is visiting multiple countries with different electrical outlets.

Generally, only non-grounded adapters are included in the adapter/converter kits so be sure to buy grounded adapters as well if you are planning to use grounded (3 prong) appliances.  Note that we do offer a Grounded Adapter Plug Kit for Europe – but this does not come with any converters – just the plugs.  Always double-check the wattage of your appliances to ensure that you choose the right converter or transformer (see About Voltage Converters below).

ABOUT VOLTAGE CONVERTERS
Converters change the voltage of the electricity coming out of the wall outlet to be compatible with your appliances. Going In Style has both converters for both Americans traveling to Europe and Europeans traveling to America.  It is important to remember that converters are only designed for short-term use (20 – 25 minutes) - prolonged use will cause the converter to automatically shut down after time – but without damage to either your converter or your appliance.

Do I need a Voltage Converter?
In most cases, Yes.  Appliances in the United States typically use anywhere between 110 and 130 volts of alternating current (AC). A majority of the world’s countries, however, use 220 – 240 volts. If your appliance can only run on 110 – 130 volts, you will need to use a converter.
If, however, your appliance is dual voltage you will not need to use a converter. Dual voltage appliances require only a plug adapter and can then be plugged directly into any foreign outlet.  Additionally, the country to which you are traveling may not use a different voltage than the United States. For example, Canada and Mexico both use 120V which is the same as us.  If your destination country does not use a different voltage, you will not need a converter nor a transformer.

How do I tell if my appliance is dual voltage?
All appliances have an electrical specification sticker located somewhere on the item. It may be on the handle, power cord, or on the reverse side of the appliance. Locate this label and look for the following:
120/240 VAC or 120 – 240 VAC
The numbers may be slightly different, but if you see this designation with a 200 number in it, then your appliance is dual voltage ( anywhere from 220-260 volts is okay).  However, if the 200 number is missing, your appliance is not dual voltage.
It is more and more common for appliances to be dual voltage.  If your appliances are relatively new, this is probably the case…. But check that electrical spec sticker just to make sure.  Note to Mac users: All Apple products are dual voltage, including computers, iPods, etc. You do not need a converter to run these appliances; however, you will need an adapter plug.

OK, so I need a converter.  Which one do I use?
The type of converter you use is dictated by the wattage of the appliances you are planning to use. Remember that spec sticker? Check it again, and this time look for a number followed by a “W” for Watts – for example “35W.”  (Note: If it has a number with an A next to it, then take that number times 120 to get the total Watts.  0.5A means 0.5 x 120 = 60 Watts). Most chargers, such as for cameras and cell phones, are low-wattage appliances. Small electronics are also low wattage.  A 50W converter should be sufficient for these devices, but always be sure to double-check your appliance. If your device draws more than 50W, you cannot use this converter.
Most higher powered appliances, especially hair dryers, coffee makers, and other heating appliances often draw between 900W and 1600W, and they may go as high as 2000W. For all appliances rated 51W – 1600W use a 1600W converter. For appliances above 1600W use a 2000W converter.

I have a 220 – 240 volt appliance that is not dual voltage, and I want to use it in a 110 – 130 volt country. What do I need?
Besides an adapter to fit the country’s outlets, you will need what is called a reverse converter. These converters are designed to allow current to be converted from a higher voltage down to a lower voltage. To find the reverse converter that is right for your device, simply determine the wattage of your appliance, and choose an appropriate converter.

Do I need a surge protector?
If you are taking any electronic equipment such as a laptop computer that might be subject to damage from an electrical voltage or current surge, it could be useful to carry a 220 volt surge protector such as our Travel Surge Protector – 220 Volt.

ABOUT VOLTAGE TRANSFORMERS

Transformers (sometimes deceptively called converters) perform the same function as a converter; namely, to modify the electrical wall voltage to be compatible with your appliances. The key difference here is that transformers are designed to operate continuously, whereas converters are meant only for short-term use. The trade-off is that voltage transformers are heavier in weight than voltage converters.

Do I need a voltage  transformer?
If you are planning to bring a laptop computer or other electronic or electric device that is not dual voltage you will need to use a transformer. In this case, you will need to double-check the wattage requirements of your computer or device in order to choose the right wattage transformer.

Any other appliance which you plan to use continuously and which is not dual voltage will require a transformer.  Note:  Our most common transformer is rated up to 85W. It is labeled as a “converter,” but is really a transformer because it is designed to operate continuously.

ABOUT PHONE & MODEM ACCESSORIES

Do I need a phone or modem accessory?
It is unlikely that you will a phone or modem laptop accessory, unless you are traveling abroad and do not expect to have access to a wireless connection. If you do think you may need access to the internet via a telephone connection, Going In Style can provide telephone adapter plugs for all countries.   

Note: Cell phone users. If you are planning to take your cell phone abroad, first check with your service provider to see what service is available for your specific cell phone and calling plan. Rick Steves recommends that you consider buying a European phone and using it when you travel to Europe. You can then purchase SIM cards for $25-$50 with a phone number and starter credit. If you have an America tri-band phone that is unlocked for other SIM cards, you can take your American phone to Europe and buy an European SIM card there when you arrive.

IN SUMMARY – ADAPTER & CONVERTER FINDER