If you're planning to visit the beautiful Philippine islands for a short vacation or an extended stay, your going to have plenty of things to do and new places to see. Embarking on a foreign adventure among a different culture is always enjoyable and exciting, but it's best to make sure that you research your destination and arrive prepared to avoid any unnecessary complications. Before packing your bags and catching your flight to the Philippines, please be sure to consider what you're going to do about using your electronics.

 

Many countries have varying standards when it comes to electricity. Certain regions, and even individual countries utilize a standard voltage at which electricity is delivered at. In North America, the standard voltage is 120 Volts. Devices that are made and sold in North America are designed and manufactured to operate specifically at 120 volts. However, in the Philippines the standard electrical voltage is 220 Volts. This means that the electronics sold there are designed to be used specifically with the 220 volt system. If you were to try and use electronics from North America in the Philippines, the voltage would be too high for the device to handle and will likely result in your electronics being damaged or ruined. The higher voltage also poses a serious risk of electrocution or fire when using electronics that are meant to be used at a lower voltage. On the other hand, electronics from the Philippines cannot be used in North America because the lower voltage means that there isn't enough electricity to properly power the device. While this can also result in damage to the device from improper voltage, the risk of electrocution or fire is significantly lower.

 

Now that you're aware of the varying voltage, the next step is deciding what to do about it. This depends on a few things, from the length of your stay to the particular electronics you plan to bring along for your travels. If you plan on moving to the Philippines, living abroad or staying for an extended period of time, it's likely that you'll be bringing more things along for your trip than you would if you were taking a short vacation. In this case, you'll most likely be in search of a simple, all-encompassing solution that allows you to use the electronics that you already have. Thankfully, there are devices that do exactly that - allow you to use your electronics in a foreign country without having to worry about the difference in voltage. They're called voltage converters, or voltage transformers.

 

A voltage converter or transformer is a device that transforms (or converts) the electricity from one voltage to another, either up or down. While your electronics are plugged in directly to the converter itself, the converter plugs into a standard wall outlet and then transforms the voltage and delivers the electricity to your devices at the safe and proper voltage that they were designed for. This eliminates the hassle of purchasing new electronics and ensures your devices can be used both safely and effectively.

 

There are different types of converters available, depending on your destination and the functionality required. The simplest, most common type of voltage converter is the Step Down Converter. This type does exactly what it says - it steps the electricity down. A step-down converter is ideal for using 120 volt electronics in a 220 volt country because it converts the 220 volts down to 120 volts. There is also the Step Up/Step Down Converter. This type is capable of transforming voltage down (just like a step down converter) but it can also step the voltage up - from 120 up to 220 volts. A Step Up/Step Down Converter is typically ideal for someone who is living abroad or traveling frequently because it can be used anywhere in the world to properly power devices designed for any voltage.

 

For more information on purchasing a voltage converter, including how to choose a model with the correct wattage for your electronics - check out this helpful voltage converter buying guide. Traveling is supposed to be fun, not a hassle. Being prepared with a voltage converter for the Philippines will give you more time to enjoy your trip without worrying about the little things such as charging your phone or laptop, or drying your hair.

 

Are you planning to travel abroad, relocate or vacation to Africa in the near future? If you're from North America, you should be aware that the electrical system there operates at a different voltage and you'll need to be properly prepared before embarking on your trip.

 

In Africa, the standard electrical voltage is 220 Volts, which applies to the whole continent. However, in North America, the standard voltage is 110 Volts. On both continents, consumer electronics are specifically designed and manufactured to work with the native electrical voltage. This means that North American electronics are designed to operate with a 110 (or 120) Volt electrical system, while electronics in Africa are designed to operate with a 220 (or 240) Volt electrical system.

 

What this means is that North American electronics cannot be used in Africa and African electronics cannot be used in North America. The difference in voltage will either be too low to efficiently power the electronics, or too high for the device to handle. Attempting to plug-in or operate electronics devices in a foreign environment where the voltage differs can result in damage to your electronics, fire, and even electrocution.

 

What you'll need to do in order to properly and safely use your electronics in Africa is purchase a voltage converter. A voltage converter is a device that plugs into the wall and converts the voltage from 220 volts down to 110 volts and has its own electrical outlets built into it, where you can plug-in and use your electronics devices safely, without worry.

 

There are many different types and models of voltage converters, depending on where you're traveling. They also come in different sizes which are rated by the wattage they can handle. The size of the converter you'll need to purchase depends on the wattage that your electronics require to operate. Higher wattage electronics will naturally require a higher wattage voltage converter to be used safely without the risk of damage or injury.

 

For more information on how to choose the proper voltage converters for Africa, please visit our voltage converter buying guide. It contains all the necessary information needed to identify the proper type of converter you'll need, as well as the size. You'll also learn about the different plugs and sockets which vary from country to country and how you can be prepared with foreign plug adapters.

 

At 220 Electronics, we sell a complete line of high quality voltage converters that can be utilized wherever you're traveling. From step-up converter and step-down converters to travel voltage converters, we carry everything you need to efficiently and effectively power your electronics in a foreign country. Check out our inventory today! We've been the trusted source for international electronics for over 30 years. 

If you're in Europe, Africa, Asia or Australia and plan to take a trip to the USA and bring electronics along with you, heed this friendly warning:

 

If you're unaware or uninformed (don't worry, many are), North America's electrical system operates at a different voltage than what you're used to at home (and if you've never thought about voltage, you might not actually be "used to" voltage at all). Regardless, please know that there is, in fact, something different here.

 

What does that mean?

Well, instead of a standard 220/240 volts being delivered like your used to, our electricity is delivered at 110/120 volts. This difference is important to be aware of, solely because you can't just bring your electronics and/or appliances here to the USA and plug them into an outlet.

 

Why Not?

Because the electronics sold in your country were specifically designed to operate at the voltage that's native to your country, which is 220 volts. Since your electronics were made for a 220 volt system, they require that specific voltage to operate safely and properly. The lower voltage (110 volts) that's used here in North America is not sufficient to properly power your electronics. If you attempt to use devices in the US that were originally purchased overseas you risk damaging them, fire, electrocuting yourself, or worse.

 

What do I do?

The answer is simple. You're going to need to purchase a voltage converter. Voltage converters plug into the outlet and then convert the electrical current to the proper voltage for your appliances. In your case, you'll need a Step-up converter. A step-up voltage converter steps the 110 volt electricity up to 220 volts, thereby allowing you to safely and effectively use your electronics with ease.

 

Is that all?

Well, yes and no. While a voltage converter is the perfect answer for traveling and using electronics in the US, you'll still need to be aware that there are different sizes of converters. The sizes are rated in Watts. Certain appliances and devices use more watts than others, so you'll need to be sure that you purchase a converter that can deliver the watts you'll need. Check on the manufacturers label of your device or appliance for the wattage rating.

 

To learn more, view our voltage converter buying guide. The guide will teach you everything you need to know, from start to finish about traveling with electronics and choosing the proper voltage converter for the USA.

Voltage Converters for Thailand

While Thailand is a popular country for many North American tourists, as well as a popular place to relocate for business, there are many differences, both cultural and economical, between this beautiful country and the western world.

 

One thing that might not come into consideration for most travelers is the 220 volt standard electrical system. In North America, the standard voltage is 110 volts, and this is the voltage that nearly all of our electronics and appliances are designed for. In Thailand, the 220 volt standard is a much higher voltage than our electronics can properly handle and any attempt to use 110 volt products with the Thai electrical system can result in damaged electronics, the risk of electrical shock and even fire.

 

To properly protect your sensitive and expensive electronics, as well as yourself, you'll need to utilize what's known as a voltage converter, or voltage transformer. A voltage converter is a device that is designed to change the voltage to the proper operating level of your electronics. In the example of using North American electronics in Thailand, a Step-Down voltage converter will be needed, as it will reduce, or "step-down" the voltage from 220 volts to 110 volts.

 

A step-down voltage converter is generally inexpensive and well worth the investment to ensure the safe and proper use of your electronic devices. Converters are easy to use, and work by simply plugging directly into the wall outlet. The converter simply processes and reduces the voltage internally, and then delivers power directly to your electronics via its own built-in outlets which your devices plug right into.

 

The kind of electronics you are going to use in Thailand are what will determine the type of voltage converter you need. There are many different sizes of voltage converters and they are rated by wattage, or the number of watts. If you're using a low wattage device, you'll be able to get by with a smaller converter, but you'll need a higher wattage model if you plan to use electronics that require a higher number of watts to operate. More information on voltage converters for Thailand can be found in our voltage converter buying guide. Keep in mind that as a safety measure, it's highly recommended to purchase a model that's rated for a wattage approximately 3 times higher than the devices you'll be using.

 

Educating yourself about the different voltages between countries, especially before embarking on a trip or relocation can save you precious time and money. The last thing you want to experience is a broken laptop on a business trip, or an electric razor that's started a fire in your hotel room. Not only are these situations a major inconvenience, they can also completely ruin your trip depending on the circumstances.

 

At 220-Electronics, we have a wide range of voltage converters for Thailand, ranging from simple travel converters to high-powered converters rated at 15,000 watts. With over 30 years of experience in the international electronics industry we hold the knowledge and product inventory to ensure you have safe travels each and every time, regardless of your destination. Visit our website at www.220-Electronics.com for more information and to browse our complete selection of voltage converters. If you still have questions or concerns, of expert staff will be glad to assist you in making the correct purchase for your needs. We look forward to hearing from you, and we hope you enjoy your trip to Thailand!

Are you thinking of relocating or traveling to Australia? If you answered yes, you've probably done quite a bit of research on the subject. You might be relocating for business, or simply taking an extended vacation to experience the "Land of Oz". While Australia offers quite an amazing experience, there's a rather important factor you may be overlooking - traveling with electronics.

 

If you plan to relocate, stay for an extended period of time or even take a short vacation, chances are that you'll be traveling with some sort of electronic devices. From an electric razor or hair dryer to a laptop or digital camera, it's nearly impossible to leave home and travel with out bringing along items that require electricity. Herein lies the problem.

 

In Australia, the standard electrical voltage is different from North America. In Australia, electricity is delivered at 220 volts, meaning 220 volts is what comes out of a wall socket or outlet. In North America, electricity is delivered at 110 volts. This causes complications and unexpected inconveniences for travelers who bring electronics along and are not prepared for this change.

 

When you purchase electronics, voltage is never a concern. This is because electronics are manufactured to operate at the voltage of the country or region on which they are sold. For example, electronics sold in North America are designed to run on a 110 volt electrical standard, while electronics sold in Australia are designed to run on a 220 volt standard. The devices are only intended to function with that specific voltage. In other words, you cannot just take your US purchased laptop to Australia and plug it into an outlet to charge - the result could be anything from an immediately ruined laptop to electrical shock or fire.

 

If this is all news to you, don't worry there's no need for alarm. Thankfully, there are solutions to using electronics overseas, with one of the most convenient being voltage converters. Using a voltage converter for Australia will let you to travel with any and all the electronics you need to be comfortable and productive on your trip.

 

A voltage converter is a device that plugs into an electrical outlet and alters the voltage, allowing you power your electronics the same way you would at home. They are safe, relatively inexpensive and very easy to use. The converter itself plugs right into the wall like any other electronic. The required voltage converters for Australia are called a "step-down" converter. By design, it steps the voltage down from 220 volts to 110 volts. On the front of the converter there are outlets for your devices to plug into, which (thanks to the voltage converter) have an output of 110 volts - the same output required to use your electronics properly, safely and without the risk of damage. It's a very simple and convenient way to use your foreign electronics overseas.

 

However, there is another factor to using voltage converters and it depends what you're traveling with - wattage. All electrical devices and equipment draw electricity, which is measured in watts. A cell phone charger, clock radio or an electric razor all use a rather low wattage of less than 100 watts. On the other hand, a hair dryer, curling iron or electric blanket draw a much higher wattage - some up to 1,200 watts. If you fail to purchase a converter with a sufficient wattage, you revisit the risk of fire, electrical shock or damage to your devices. To prevent that scenario, it's important to identify the number of watts you'll be using.

 

Anything that's electric will have a tag on the cord or a label on itself that states the wattage. For example, a hair dryer purchased in North America may have a label reading 110V, 720 watts. The label is telling you that the product was manufactured to operate at 110 volts, and draws 720 watts. Since you'll be using a converter, the 110V mentioned is not important. The fact that is uses 720 watts is quite important however, because with anything less it will not operate.

 

When purchasing a voltage converter for Australia, it's also very important to use the general rule that the wattage of your converter should be 2 to 3 times higher than whatever you'll be using. Certain electronics require a surge of power to start up, or might use a higher wattage if they're on a higher setting. Because of this, it's important that you have a higher voltage than recommended on the label to ensure there is absolutely zero chance of damage or failure of your electronics. Additionally, the extra voltage allows some flexibility should you need to use a secondary device at the same time.

 

Ideally, you're going to want to check the electronics you plan to travel with and make a quick, short list of their wattage. If you're bringing a 1,100 watt hair dryer, a 80 watt electric razor, a 190 watt laptop and 650 watt curling iron, you have a total of 2,220 watts. If you planned to use them all in unison you'd need (at least) a 2,500 watt voltage converter - and although it's unlikely you'd use them all at the same time, 2,500 watts is just over double the number of watts used by the hair dryer alone. It's always better to be safe than sorry when determining the wattage of the converter you're going to purchase.

 

Please keep in mind that while the voltage is different in other countries, often times so are the outlets themselves. There's a whole slough of different types of electrical sockets around the world. If your voltage converter doesn't come with foreign plug adapters than you'll need to purchase one of those as well, which can be picked up relatively cheap; usually less than $5.

 

Now that you've learned about traveling to foreign countries with electronics all you need to do is figure out your wattage and buy a voltage converter for Australia. At 220-electronics, we sell a wide range of voltage converters for use in all foreign countries. We are specialists in international relocation and have over 30 years of experience. Visit our website at www.220-Electronics.com to browse and buy from our complete inventory of voltage converters.

Being an electronics business based in North America, we understand that many people travel to Europe for business and vacation. Alternatively, many people permanently relocate to Europe. Regardless of the reason, anyone who's traveling or moving with electronics should understand that Europe's electricity operates at a standard voltage of 220 volts. Alternatively, the North American system operates at a standard 110 volts. This means that you won't be able bring and operate your electronic devices overseas by simply plugging them in. You're going to either need to buy new electronics when you arrive overseas, or purchase a voltage converter.

 

Since the voltage difference is such a common problem with those who travel or relocate, we've decided created an article about voltage converters for Europe. It's a cheaper and easier option than purchasing new electronics for overseas use. The following information will teach you everything you need to know about visiting or relocating to Europe with your electronics.

 

To begin with, it's common practice that electronics are manufactured to operate only at the voltage of the country in which they are sold. Since Europe uses a standard electrical delivery of 220 volts, people traveling from North America will find that their locally purchased electronics are not suited for use with the European electrical system overseas. The 220 volts encountered in Europe is too high, and can ruin your expensive electronics the second you plug them in. Sometimes this can even result in personal injury or a fire.

 

Fortunately, voltage converters offer an effective and economical solution to using electronics overseas. There are many different types of voltage converters but for the purpose of this article we're going to focus on voltage converters for Europe. These are called Step-down converters. A Step-down converter is used to lower (hence the term 'step-down') the electrical voltage from 220 volts to 110 volts. Step-down converters work by plugging directly into the foreign outlet/socket. The voltage converter's internal parts step the electricity down to 110 volts and then deliver it to the electrical outlets/sockets that are on the converter. All you have to do is simply plug your 110 volt electronics into the converter and you can safely and efficiently power your 110 volt electronic devices. It's truly that simple. However, there's another factor you'll need to consider before actually purchasing a voltage converter; Wattage.

 

Voltage converters are available in a variety off wattages, from 100 watts up to 5, 10 and even 15 thousand watts. In order to choose which voltage converter you should purchase, you're going to need to know how many watts your electronics use. The wattage can easily be found on the manufacturers label that's affixed to the device. Surprisingly, some electronics use next to nothing in wattage when overs use easily over 1,000 watts at normal operating power. This makes it extremely important to have a good idea of what kind of wattage you'll be using. If you still need help in choosing the right converter, view our voltage converter buying guide for more in depth detail.

 

Once the wattage you'll be using is determined, you're going to need to round that wattage up by 2 to 3 times. This is a precautionary measure that prevents accidental failure or malfunction should the voltage converter not be able to deliver the draw that your electronics are using. Generally speaking, if you need to use around 1,000 watts of power then you should purchase a 2,500 to 3,000 watt voltage converter for Europe. This will ensure that you can have multiple devices plugged in and operating without running the risk of failure, fire, or electrical shock.

 

Now that you have a better understanding of traveling with electronics, you'll need to find a reputable retailer where you can purchase a converter. 220-Electronics carries a complete inventory of voltage converters for Europe. We are specialists in overseas electronics with over 30 years of experience and carry high quality products offered to you at low, discount prices. Visit us now at www.220-Electronics.com to find exactly what you need to enjoy your trip and your electronics.