A/C Adaptor Overseas

azproc · 03-04-2007, 09:36 PM

Hi all,

I'm going to be travelling over to England from Canada and would like a few tips on the A/C supply and my peripherals.

I'm planning on bringing my laptop and my digital camera battery charger. Now since I'm not that versed in voltage stuff... I need some help

My laptop is a Dell XPS M1210, and my camera is an Olympus Stylus 410.

Now, as far as i know, there are outlet convertors (without voltage changes) and voltage changers (the 85w and 2000w,1600w kind).

Which one should I bring with me? I've looked on my A/C adaptors for both laptop & battery charger... they say they have a range from 100-240V A/C... dunno what else you guys need to help me.

Also, on an airplane, is there anything i should be aware of for A/C sources?

Thanks!

Protoplasm72 · 03-04-2007, 10:25 PM

I don't travel overseas but I travel enough around the US to know all the tricks for getting power on airplanes. I fly united which has very limited in flight power options but some airlines like American have power on most planes if you know where to sit. Take a look at this website to see if there will be power on your flight.

The Ultimate Guide to In-Seat Laptop Power Ports

**Gorganzola** · 03-05-2007, 12:58 AM

Four primary things affect your ability to use an eletronic device in a given place on the planet.

Power
Voltage
Hertz
Physical plug

The first is a no brainer, it's pretty obvious that you are going to have power where you are. The second is voltage. Europe uses 220-240V whereas North America uses 110-120V. If your adapater has a listed voltage range of 100V to 240V that means that it can handle anything in that range to produce enough power for your electronic device to operate as expected. Next is Hertz (Hz). North America uses 60Hz, Europe uses 50Hz. Your adapter should read something like 50-60Hz. Last is the physical shape of the plug. You may find this useful in the pursuit of the physical shape: Domestic AC power plugs and sockets - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

When it comes down to it, your notebook will work fine in the UK with an appropriate physical adapter. There is no requirement for getting something to convert from 240V/50Hz to 120V/60Hz as the adapter will handle that just fine.

As for the battery charger, if it reads Input 100-240V 50-60Hz then it too only needs a physical adapter. If it reads, Input 100-120V 60Hz then you will need something to covert the 240V/50Hz to something the charger can use. It may be worth going with Alkalines for the trip or buying a charger when you get over there if this is the case vs. buying a power adapter.

Monkey Hanger · 03-05-2007, 05:54 AM

UK power is 230v and 50Hz.

Adapters are available from Amazon.

azproc · 03-05-2007, 08:59 PM

Thanks Protoplasm, MH, and especially Gorganzola for the info.
I'm borrowing an outlet changer (no voltage conversion) from a friend who goes to Europe quite a bit.

Cheers !

**Gorganzola** · 03-06-2007, 12:51 AM

np, that is what we are here for. I hope you enjoy the trip.

03-04-2007, 09:36 PM	#1
azproc MD of Technology Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 604	A/C Adaptor Overseas Hi all, I'm going to be travelling over to England from Canada and would like a few tips on the A/C supply and my peripherals. I'm planning on bringing my laptop and my digital camera battery charger. Now since I'm not that versed in voltage stuff... I need some help My laptop is a Dell XPS M1210, and my camera is an Olympus Stylus 410. Now, as far as i know, there are outlet convertors (without voltage changes) and voltage changers (the 85w and 2000w,1600w kind). Which one should I bring with me? I've looked on my A/C adaptors for both laptop & battery charger... they say they have a range from 100-240V A/C... dunno what else you guys need to help me. Also, on an airplane, is there anything i should be aware of for A/C sources? Thanks! __________________ Azproc ASUS P5W DH Deluxe - 1101 - Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 - 2x512MB OCZ PC2-5400 Gold XTC 4-4-4-12 - Seagate 7200.10 320GB - soon to be replaced ASUS EN5750 128MB - Thermaltake TR2 430W - 17 Samsung 710N - XP Pro SP2 Gigabyte GA-8KNXP - F12 - Intel P4 2.4C HT @ 2.88GHz, 240MHz Clock using 5/4 - 2X512MB OCZ Plat. 3200 Dual running 2/3/2/5 - SB LIVE 5.1 - Seagate SATA 120GB - former ATI (BBA) X850XT @ 554/591 - now XFX 7800GS Xtreme @ 460/1350 Thermaltake 480W FC - 20.1 Viewsonic VX2025WM LCD - XP Pro SP2 - 3DMARK 03/05/05 = 11708/5739/5860
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03-04-2007, 10:25 PM	#2
Protoplasm72 Mmmm..... Folding@Home Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 3,298	I don't travel overseas but I travel enough around the US to know all the tricks for getting power on airplanes. I fly united which has very limited in flight power options but some airlines like American have power on most planes if you know where to sit. Take a look at this website to see if there will be power on your flight. The Ultimate Guide to In-Seat Laptop Power Ports __________________ proto My Folding Details "Friends, Family, Religion... These are the three demons you must slay in order to succeed in business" C.M. Burns
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03-05-2007, 12:58 AM	#3
Gorganzola ABXZone > Facebook Join Date: May 2001 Location: Hangin' with the fruits Posts: 9,397	Four primary things affect your ability to use an eletronic device in a given place on the planet. Power Voltage Hertz Physical plug The first is a no brainer, it's pretty obvious that you are going to have power where you are. The second is voltage. Europe uses 220-240V whereas North America uses 110-120V. If your adapater has a listed voltage range of 100V to 240V that means that it can handle anything in that range to produce enough power for your electronic device to operate as expected. Next is Hertz (Hz). North America uses 60Hz, Europe uses 50Hz. Your adapter should read something like 50-60Hz. Last is the physical shape of the plug. You may find this useful in the pursuit of the physical shape: Domestic AC power plugs and sockets - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. When it comes down to it, your notebook will work fine in the UK with an appropriate physical adapter. There is no requirement for getting something to convert from 240V/50Hz to 120V/60Hz as the adapter will handle that just fine. As for the battery charger, if it reads Input 100-240V 50-60Hz then it too only needs a physical adapter. If it reads, Input 100-120V 60Hz then you will need something to covert the 240V/50Hz to something the charger can use. It may be worth going with Alkalines for the trip or buying a charger when you get over there if this is the case vs. buying a power adapter. __________________ TTFN. I wasn't asleep at the switch, I was drunk. -- Homer J. Simpson Q. How many dull people does it take to change a lightbulb? A. One. A very useful tool on these forums: You can Meebo in public.
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03-05-2007, 05:54 AM	#4
Monkey Hanger Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 10,590	UK power is 230v and 50Hz. Adapters are available from Amazon.
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03-05-2007, 08:59 PM	#5
azproc MD of Technology Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 604	Thanks Protoplasm, MH, and especially Gorganzola for the info. I'm borrowing an outlet changer (no voltage conversion) from a friend who goes to Europe quite a bit. Cheers ! __________________ Azproc ASUS P5W DH Deluxe - 1101 - Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 - 2x512MB OCZ PC2-5400 Gold XTC 4-4-4-12 - Seagate 7200.10 320GB - soon to be replaced ASUS EN5750 128MB - Thermaltake TR2 430W - 17 Samsung 710N - XP Pro SP2 Gigabyte GA-8KNXP - F12 - Intel P4 2.4C HT @ 2.88GHz, 240MHz Clock using 5/4 - 2X512MB OCZ Plat. 3200 Dual running 2/3/2/5 - SB LIVE 5.1 - Seagate SATA 120GB - former ATI (BBA) X850XT @ 554/591 - now XFX 7800GS Xtreme @ 460/1350 Thermaltake 480W FC - 20.1 Viewsonic VX2025WM LCD - XP Pro SP2 - 3DMARK 03/05/05 = 11708/5739/5860
(Offline)

03-06-2007, 12:51 AM	#6
Gorganzola ABXZone > Facebook Join Date: May 2001 Location: Hangin' with the fruits Posts: 9,397	np, that is what we are here for. I hope you enjoy the trip. __________________ TTFN. I wasn't asleep at the switch, I was drunk. -- Homer J. Simpson Q. How many dull people does it take to change a lightbulb? A. One. A very useful tool on these forums: You can Meebo in public.
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