Using Your Electronics In Europe.

When travelling you can run into problems when using your electronics. Europe’s electrical system is different from ours in two ways: the voltage of the current and the shape of the plug and socket.

First would be the plug and socket types. If you live the US or Canada than you’ll usually have a type A or B plug, but when you bring your electronics to a different country you will need an adapter to fit your plug into their socket.

Another problem that may come that should be considered immediately is the voltage. American appliances run on 110 volts, while European appliances are 220 volts. Newer travel accessories and electronic gadgets usually are dual voltage, which means they work on both American and European current. If you see a that the voltage is printed on the item or its plug and it says 110–220 than you’re OK in Europe. Some older appliances have a voltage switch marked 110 (US) and 220 (Europe) and it should be switched it to 220 before you use it in Europe.

Some older appliances aren’t equipped to deal with the voltage difference at all, and they could be damaged or destroyed if plugged directly into a European wall outlet. To make these work, you’d need to buy a separate, bulky converter (about $30), but it’s not worth it. Buy something that has both 110 and 220 volts.

If it’s totally necessary than you can get Transformer 200 Watt Step Up/Down converter 110/120 Volt – 220/240 Volt. This will convert the voltage to what you need and depending on what you buy it should have the right socket to plug in a European wire to the outlet.