Is there a device that transforms the voltage?
Other - Electronics - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
a plug is a plug, it will work any where
2 :
They make adapters that will allow you to plug your appliances into other types of plugs that may be different than the ones you have. I'm not sure what kind of plugs they use in Greece but I've seen adapter kits for travelers who are going to a country that may use one that's different from the ones used in the United States.. Look up international electrical adapter kits.
3 :
Ignore the "plug is a plug" answer. First, you won't be able to just plug it in. The plugs are physically different. A US plug simply will not fit in an outlet in Europe or many other areas of the world. This part of the problem is easy. A plug adapter costs maybe $5 for a high quality grounded model, $1 or so for a cheap ungrounded,. Second, and this is much more serious, there is a voltage problem. Your US-bought device expects 120 volts maximum from the wall outlet. The outlet in Greece will supply 240 volts. Voltage in electricity is a little like pressure in a water pipe: Too much pressure and the pipe will burst. Similarly, two times the expected voltage will quickly burn out many devices (not to mention create a fire hazard). Some devices such as laptop computers do commonly come with "universal" power supplies - that's the "power brick" in the middle of the cord - that can handle anything from 100 volts to 240 volts. To know for certain, check your device (or its power adapter) carefully. Look for the power input spec; it should be near where the power cord entersw the unit. If it has a "universal" supply it will say something like "100-240V, 50-60 Hz AC". That means it will work anywhere in the world (with a plug adapter). My electric shaver does this too, and it doesn't have a separate power adapter. The "universal" power supply is built right in. A few devices have 120/240 voltage switches. My hair dryer is like that. But I don't carry it for travel; most hotels have them. If your device does not say that, and does not have a 120/240 switch, you must assume it can only run on 120 volts (i.e .US current) and will need a voltage adapter to run on 240. Good adapters are called "transformers." They are neither cheap nor lightweight. There are cheap and lightweight gadgets sold in travel stores called "voltage converters", only $20 or so for one that will handle up to 1500 watts, but they do not work very well and can actually cause damage to a lot of equipment. I wouldn't use one for anything more complicated than a light bulb, and I would *never* leave the vicinity with one of these things plugged in. Yet another problem is that the frequency of the alternating current is different. The US uses "60 Hz" power, most other places use 50 Hz. Very few devices you're likely to be carrying will care about this, but if one of yours does, there really is no reasonably priced way to do the conversion.
