International Voltage Types

• North America, Central America, the northern half of South America and a few Asian countries operate on the American standard of 120-volt, 60-cycle alternating current. Europe, Africa, most of Asia and the southern half of South America run on European 240-volt, 50-cycle alternating current. Further complicating matters are the 16 different configurations of electric plug used around the world.
  
  

Plug Adapters

• Two electric plug configurations dominate worldwide. They are the North American plug, with two flat power blades and a round grounding prong, and the European plug, with two round power prongs and a grounding clip at the top edge. There are ungrounded versions of both these plug types that lack the grounding prong or grounding clip. But a world traveler may also encounter one of the 14 other plug types. If you have a dual-voltage appliance, you can go online to find the electric plug type used where you are going and buy the appropriate adapter to mate your plug to local power outlets.
  
  

Common Appliances

• Many dual-voltage appliances are high-wattage heating devices, such as clothes steamers, irons, hair dryers and beverage makers. These gadgets typically have a switch to set the voltage. Most of the power supplies and chargers for laptop computers, cellphones, iPods, video cameras, digital cameras and other small electrical devices under 50 watts are dual-voltage. They automatically adjust to either type of power once you have your plug adapter. The maker’s identification plate tells you whether the device is dual-voltage.
  
  

Transformers and Converters

• If your device works only on 120-volt American standard power, you need a voltage transformer to use it in countries that run on the 240-volt European power standard. If your device includes a clock or timer, you also need a cycle converter to convert 50-cycle European current to 60-cycle American current to keep accurate time. Adapter plugs, transformers and converters are available at travel agencies, luggage shops and other businesses that cater to travelers’ needs.