Travel in Electrical systems
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Introduction
Electrical systems differ around the world. Some use 50 hertz; some 60. Some use 110-120 volts; others 220-240. Some are on all the time, barring an ice storm or earthquake; some run a few hours a day. The plugs are different. The traveler, if he is bringing electrical appliances, must be prepared to adapt.
It can be daunting, but it actually isn't too hard. There are only two main type of electric systems used around the world, with varying physical connections:
- 110-120 volt, at 60 hertz frequency (in general North and Central Americas, Western Japan)
- 220-240 volt, at 50 hertz frequency (in general whole Europe and rest of the World with some exceptions)
Occasionally, you will find 110-120 volts @ 50 Hz such as in Tokyo, Japan; and conversely, 220-240 volts @ 60 Hz such as in Manila, the Philippines. Such systems are not common worldwide, though.
If the voltage and frequency for your device is the same as where you are travelling, then you need only worry about the physical plug. (The small difference between 110V and 120V, or 220V and 240V, can be safely ignored.) A device that lets you insert a plug into a different socket is an adapter: these are small, cheap, safe and pretty much unbreakable.
If the voltage for your device is not the same, then you will need a transformer to convert the voltage to the local system. Transformers are basically chunks of iron wrapped in wires, which means that they are large and heavy. To use one, you must verify that the voltage is being stepped up (low to high voltage) or stepped down (high to low voltage) in the right direction: plugging a 110-to-220V step-up transformer into a 220V socket will get you 440V and a fried device. You must also make sure that the wattage of your device does not exceed the transformer's limit, as doing so may cause the transformer to overheat and even catch fire.
To convert 240V to 120V, lighter weight "switching" converters are available and can handle larger wattage loads up to 1600 watts. (They can only down-convert voltage -- not raise it.) Switching converters cannot be used with any appliance which contains electronic parts. Unlike a transformer, the converter works by rapidly switching itself on and off. This produces the equivalent lower voltage, though with a very different waveform which neither electronic parts nor their power supplies can handle. A more sophisticated switching power supply is used in all modern desktop computers to produce 5 and 12 volts direct current (DC). Most of these computers have a small recessed switch on the back near the fan and power cord to change from 120V to 240V (or vice versa). While desktop computers are too big for short-term travelers, the good news for those staying longer is that most computer hardware can be used in any country with reliable electric current. Always use high quality surge protection with sensitive electronic equipment.
If the frequency is not is same, there is really nothing you can do about that. Unlike voltage, frequency cannot easily be converted. (Foreign embassies have to use expensive generators as large as a refrigerator to convert to their home current.) Most travel items will work OK on either 50 or 60 Hz. If all the electrical appliance does is produce heat and/or light, then the frequency does not matter. Caution: Voltage does matter! (see above) On the other hand, appliances that are motorized without the option of batteries or display the time are dependent on the frequency to work correctly. Some travel items containing an electric motor such as a hairdryer might say 50/60 Hz on the label, which means it will work on either frequency.
Many low-voltage devices like laptops and cell phone chargers have special transformers built-in that can use either electrical system. Read the label on your adapter for the specifications. If it says something like:
INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz
then this is the best situation, where you only need a physical adapter. If it does not specify the whole range of voltages and says only one voltage, you need to make sure the country you are in matches this voltage or use a transformer. You can often ignore the frequency for battery charging and small electronic devices (except stand-alone digital alarm clocks). The efficiency may be somewhat affected though.
Specifics
For example, between England and Germany, you need only an adapter. You stick your English plug in the adapter, which connects the rectangular phase and neutral prongs to the round German ones and puts the ground where the German outlet expects it, and you're good to go. If you're an American traveling to Europe, you'll need a voltage converter, except for devices, such as computers, which have power supplies that can take either voltage. If the frequency is different, don't take a plug-in clock - it'll show 20 or 28.8 hours in a day.
Things that are interchangable
Laptop computers
Most laptop computers with external power adapters will handle either 220 or 120 volts fine. However you will need to make sure that you have the plug that matches the outlet for the country you are going to. Also it is a good idea to bring a 2 to 3 prong adapter if your laptop requires ground.
Radios
Radios also tend to be interchangable from country to country. The exact FM range being used can vary from country to country though, so you may not be able to access all stations. Japan, in particular, has an FM band from 78 MHz to 100 MHz rather than the more common 88 MHz to 108 MHz. Also many modern digital electronic radios come with preset AM tuning frequencies either at 9kHz or 10kHz intervals, depending on the scheme used in the country the radio is intended for. You may find a modern digital radio has difficulty tuning in some stations if this is the case. A simple (and cheap) pocket AM/FM transistor radios may give just as good a performance in these cases.
Mobile phones and digital cameras
Chargers for these may work with both 110V and 240V systems, though you may still need an adaptor plug or have to use the shaver socket. However it pays to check. You may be able to get a second charger for the other voltage system, or even a dual voltage charger designed for both systems.
However, your mobile phone handset may not always be compatable with the country's network or you may be limited to certain cellular providers. You should check this, and arrange for a suitable handset if need be, before you leave home. Once you are on your travels you may discover you need to buy a second phone.
Equipment using standard batteries
Battery sizes and voltages tend to be standard from place to place, and equipment that uses batteries tends to be interchangable.
Things that are not interchangable
Lamps
Lamps, and their light bulbs are very sensitive to the supply voltage. If you shift between voltage systems, you will need to change the light bulbs to match the voltage, unless the lamp is designed to operate on both systems, say through a low voltage adaptor. It may be that you will need to have an electrician completely rewire a lamp when you get home to comply with your country's electrical safety standards. This may not be a problem for a one off special item, but if you are going into the importing business it could be a showstopper.
Also watch out for the light bulb connection. Many countries have standardised on one style of connector. In 110-120V systems this is often a screw connector while in 220-240V systems it is often a bayonet connector. These connectors also come in at least two different sizes. Be sure you can obtain light bulbs of the right voltage, size and connector shape in the country you intend to use the lamp, and at a reasonable price, otherwise the lamp may become little more than junk when the bulb fails.
Electric motors
The electric motors in things like hairdryers, electric shavers, refrigerators, washing machines and other whiteware are often sensitive to the supply frequency. Even if you use a step-up or step-down transformer, the different supply frequencies may mean motors run at the wrong speed and may burn out. They are likely to run on a higher or lower speed (rpm). In general they could have a shorter livespan. My microwave from Europe (50 Hz) doesn't work at all with 60 Hz. The washmachine mainmotor works at a higher speed but the cheap pumpmotor doesn't work and makes a ratteling sound because the magnets are not in synchorisity. I replaced a pump motor and the machine works very well. All heater elements work properly, all simple kitchen machines work properly also. The main problems are with the microwave, the (cheap)pump motors without capacitor. So, I can't adjust the capacitor value for good functioning.
Electric Shavers
Hotels often provide a special electrical outlet specifically for electric shavers. The plugs often allow any voltage shaver to be plugged into them and be used safely in front of the bathroom mirror. They may also accept your cellphone adaptor or similar low power battery charging unit. Many -- but not all -- electric shavers sold today are dual voltage 50/60Hz and some will even recharge the battery at 12VDC (such as in an automobile). Check the label and instructions for compatibility.
Hairdryers
Hairdryers are a particular risk, if you accidentally plug your 120 Volt hairdryer into a 240 Volt outlet you may find it catching fire in your hands! Similarly a 240 Volt hairdryer in a 120 Volt outlet may run slowly and not heat up enough. Most good hotels and motels will be able to supply a hair drier, it may even be a room fitting. However it may be worthwhile buying a hairdryer suited for the electrical system of countries you may be travelling in. Or else borrow your host's one.
Nowadays, in the USA and Canada most new hairdryers are dual voltage with two speeds for 120V and one speed for 240V. Even though it's motorized, it will work on either 50 or 60 Hz. They make a good voltage tester if you're ever unsure of what it is in a new location. Set the voltage switch to 240V and turn it on low (the only speed available). If it runs at low speed like at home, the voltage is 120V and you can reset the switch. If it runs like it's on high speed, the voltage is 240V -- so leave the switch where it is.
Clocks
An electric clock of any sort is very sensitive to the type of current. If the voltage if doubled or halved it will not function at all and may burn out. Furthermore, the electric frequency (50 or 60 HZ) is used to keep the time. Thus, if a clock made for the USA were used in Europe -- even with a voltage adapter -- it would lose 10 minutes per hour! Obviously, not a great idea if you have a train to catch. Conversely, a European clock would gain 12 minutes per hour in the USA. The best solution is to just use a battery operated or wind-up clock.
Video equipment
Televisions, many radios, video and DVD players, as well as videotapes, are often specific to the broadcast system used in the country that they are sold in. Often -- but not always -- the video standard used has to do with the frequency of the country's electric current. The frames per second of video will be exactly one-half the electric frequency. For example, the USA is 60 Hz and its television is 30 frames per second, while Europe is 50 Hz and its television is 25 frames per second. The main three television broadcast systems are PAL, the closest to a worldwide standard, NTSC, used mostly in the Americas and some East Asian countries (notably Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and Taiwan) and SECAM, originally from France and adopted by much of Eastern Europe and the Middle East, but there are various incompatibilities even within these supposed standards. Brazil has a schizophrenic system using PAL colour with NTSC size and frame rate called "PAL-M". Despite the name, DVDs and video tape are the same as NTSC (without region coding -- see below), but all players and TV sets are useless outside Brazil unless they have a separate NTSC setting. There is no difference between PAL and SECAM for unconverted DIGITAL video including DVDs. However, any analog output to a television set would be in the native format of the country of location.
Before purchasing any video equipment, read the manual and warranty carefully. For TVs and VCRs don't forget about cable television frequencies -- they may not be the same -- even if everything else is. Unless you have an internationally compatible device you may find your expensive looking system is little more than worthless junk in another country because it won't work with your country's broadcast system. Your warranty is probably only valid in the country of purchase, and you may need to return the goods to the place you purchased them from. Basically, the maxim to follow is Buyer Beware.
DVDs, infuriatingly, have a completely artificial limitation introduced in the form of region coding, which attempts to limits the region where the discs can be used. The workaround are to obtain either a regionless DVD player which ignores the code, or purchase region 0 discs that can be played on any device. Note that most DVD players in the USA, Canada, Japan, (and elsewhere using NTSC format) cannot play PAL DVDs (even with a matching or region 0 code). If purchasing a new player look for the words "PAL playback" in the features. You may have better luck using a player manufactured by JVC, Philips/Magnavox, or CyberHome. If all else fails, a computer DVD-ROM can play any DVD movie, though there's a limit on how many times you can change the region code. Unlike televsion sets, computer monitors can automatically handle both 25 (PAL & SECAM) and 30 (NTSC) frames per second.
Videocameras can usually be charged with both electrical systems so you can record during travels and view it back home. Digital cameras and videocameras can usually output to both PAL, NTSC, and SECAM, so you can view your recording while travelling. Bring a phono to SCART adaptor when travelling to Europe.
VHS and other tape formats, while becoming out of date, still exist. There is no compatibility between NTSC and PAL. Professional conversions will probably cost most than the original. Samsung Electronics makes several VCR models that will play and record any format, though these machines are hard to find locally (try online and mail order) and relatively expensive.
Television sets often won't work correctly in another country from where they were sold -- even if the voltage and video standard are the same. For example, a television set made for the USA will skip a few channels in Japan.
Stay safe
The first time you use electrical equipment on a voltage system you haven't used before, watch for excessive heat, strange smells, and smoke. The is especially true for those residing in countries with 120V (USA, Canada, Japan, etc.) Smoke is a sure sign your equipment cannot cope with the voltage system.
If your electrical equipment gets very hot, smells of burning or starts to smoke, turn it off at the wall or the main switch immediately, then carefully unplug the equipment. Do not disconnect or unplug by just grabbing the smoking device, its plug or cord, and then unplugging it, as these parts are probably very hot, and the insulation could be melted or unsafe -- which could result in electrocution.
Unfortunately, you may find your expensive equipment has been fried and needs to be replaced because the wrong voltage was used. However, if the equipment only got hot and did not smoke or produce strange burning smells you may be lucky.
Also, do not rely on the fusebox fuses protecting your equipment. They are normally not sensitive enough, though if they do blow when you plug your equipment in, you should have things checked by a competent local electrician before using the suspect equipment again.
External Link
See the World Electric Power Guide (http://kropla.com/electric.htm) for more detailed information