Hi there, it's Ernest from Trip Astute. In this video, we're covering a common
question asked by international travelers, which is, "what is the
difference between a voltage adaptor and converter?"
(light chiming music)
I remember the first time I went overseas I wrestled with this question. To me, they seemed to be the
same thing, but when I looked online, the prices varied dramatically between
adapters and converters. So today, we're going to break it down. Let's talk about
adapters. Adapters come in a variety of shapes and sizes from all-in-one units
to kits for different plug sizes. They're also fairly inexpensive.
Basically, all the adapter does is that it allows you to plug your current
device into another plug. For example, in North America, we're used to the two or
three prong plug. But here's the adapter for the UK. It's quite different. From a
technical standpoint, your device is receiving the actual voltage from the
electrical plug. In general, that means a voltage anywhere from 100 to 240 volts
at 50 or 60 Hertz frequency. For example, in North America, our typical electric
plugs run at 120 volts at 60 Hz. However, in the UK, the electrical plugs
run at 230 volts at 50 Hz. A converter, on the other hand, converts the voltage
and frequency from your destination's electrical plug to your normal power
supply's voltage and frequency. They are more expensive than adapters and
generally start around $30 to $40. They also tend to be larger and more
clunky since the units are actually processing the electrical current. Now
why does this even matter? Well, if your device is rated to run at at 120 volts
and you connect it to 230 volts, you could overload and fry your device.
Luckily most electronic device chargers are ready to handle a range of power, so
they should be able to adapt. You can generally see the range listed on your
charger, so it's worth checking them out when packing for your trip. I personally haven't seen a phone,
computer, or camera in the last 10 years that isn't able to accept various
voltages from around the world. However, certain household devices are
notorious for causing overloads and burnouts. These include hair dryers and
hair curlers. These are typically electrical devices that function more as
small appliances. These devices are more sensitive and have to be plugged into
the rated power supply. I've heard horror stories of hair dryers and electrical
plugs burning up because of this mismatch. So, for most travelers, you can
probably get away without a converter when traveling. However, if you're heading
to a special event or want or need to have a hair dryer with you, here are your
options. Number one: buy a converter. There are a ton
out there and I've included links to a few on Amazon. Most come with adapters as
well, so you won't need to purchase those in addition to the converter. Number two:
buy a travel version of the device that accepts multiple voltages. For example, in
the case of hair dryers, most of the manufacturers offer a travel version
that can accept two or more voltages. Number three: call your lodging in
advance and arrange to borrow one. This can be a bit of a pain, but you can often
use Skype or another online service to make a cheap international call. Also, we
did a quick video on calling international numbers, so definitely
check it out if you need help with dialing internationally. Keep in mind
that it's not always customary for hostels and even some smaller hotels to
have hair dryers in the room. So don't be surprised if they don't have one
available to use. Number four: buy one at your destination. This is definitely a
last resort, but it's always an option if all else fails. This way, you can always
get a device that is rated for the local voltage and frequency. Have you ever had
any issues with charging or using your electronic devices while traveling? if so,
please share your story in the comments section. And if you have any questions,
please let us know. I've included some helpful articles below with the voltage
and frequency for every country. Also, I've added Amazon links to some adapters
and converters that you can purchase if needed. As always, I do get a small
percentage if you use my links. It doesn't cost you
anything extra, but it helps us to build more content for this channel. Until next
time, travel safe and travel smart