Travel Tips - Electricity
Auto AppliancesAppliances that operate on power supplied by your car cigarette lighter will work just as well in a rental car overseas. 12 volt car batteries are standard. |
Check the VoltsCheck the voltage requirements on any appliances you plan to bring abroad. If your appliances are not dual-voltage, you may need a voltage transformer as well as an adaptor plug. |
Dual-Voltage AppliancesWhenever possible, purchase dual voltage appliances. That way, all you need is an adaptor plug when traveling abroad. |
Electrical QualityIf you travel with a laptop and worry about the quality of the electricity (power surges, spikes, etc.), plug your laptop into the wall socket only for charging, and operate it on battery power. |
How do you tell if your appliance is dual-voltage?If the electrical input requirements displayed on your appliance read something like 100/250 volts, the appliance is dual-voltage and a transformer will not be needed in countries overseas. |
Switch Dual Voltage Appliances As You PackIf you travel with dual voltage appliances that have voltage switches, flip the switches to the foreign voltage as you pack - you may not remember to when you arrive. |
Voltage RequirementsIf you see an electronic item that you wish to bring home as a souvenir, check its voltage requirements. If it is not dual-voltage, you may need a transformer to operate it at home. |
