Is there a way to charge electronics in Europe with breaking them?

Question

I'm going to Europe (Poland), in the summer and I have alot of electronics I want to bring. But a relative told me that the outlets and voltage is different there.
Is there a way to still charge my items with out them breaking?
Can I buy special plugs?
Where?

Answer 1

Yes there is a difference. Expect 220 volt (not U.S. 120 volt) service at 50 cycles (not U.S. 60 cycles) and all sorts of wierd outlets (the Europeans seem to delight in inventing their own outlets, country by country). So, start here --- look at the chargers for your laptop/videocam/digitalcam, etc. Read the really fine print on the charger. Many of the stuff built now will operate over the entire range of 120 - 240 volts. Makes it saleable world wide. If so, you are in luck and all you need to do is to go to somewhere like a luggage store and get a bag of outlet convertors. They are each just a little plastic gizmo that plugs into the foreign outlet and offers you a US outlet.

But, look out for the 220 volt thing. If you have to, the same luggage store (hey, they supply stuff for people to travel, so that is where you find all this stuff) can supply you with a small step-down transformer to give you 120 from their 240.

For electronics, I would not worry about the 50 cycle / 60 cycle issue. The power supply makes it into DC anyway. You shouldn't need very many watts of capacity if you are just charging your electronics, so it will be reasonably small, perhaps just a couple of pounds.

If you were taking serious power stuff (hair dryers? toasters, mixers, waffle irons) you have a problem. Taking a hair dryer? Check if it has a 220 volt switch or something. That is another item of international commerce. But, they pull most of 1KW so could be a problem. On the other hand, they are cheap as dirt, so if a problem, get a new one in Poland.

Have a good trip.

Answer 2

Europe runs on 230 V, I presume you are from America. America runs on 110 V. This is important. If you plug your american devices into a European socket they will be destroyed. You need to buy a converter.

There is also a difference in frequency - Europe is 50Hz, America is 60Hz, but this shouldn't affect things too much. Most electronics will work independent of the frequency.

Answer 3

buy a 220-to-110 converter with European plug (two round prongs, not square UK prongs). Large hardware and travel stores have them, as well as airport shops.

Or plan to buy locally made chargers for your devices.

Note that cell phone will not work unless it is a 3- or 4-band GMS one. Cingular and T-mobile use GSM in US, and you can read phone manual for how many bands does it support.

Answer 4

ok then first of all you'll love france and spain because i have been there multiple of circumstances. first of all i'd attempt the go back and forth save on which i'd booked the vacation at, or at a electric powered save. Sorry favor i could help you yet i'm in Australia so good success.