The Nuts and Bolts About Volts, A No-Nonsense Guide To 110v and 220v Adaptors

1. I didn’t want to face the embarrassment going through customs
2. I didn’t know if it would work when I plugged it into the wall when I got home

For those who don’t know there are two types of voltage adapter: 110V and 220V.

So what is a voltage adapter and what does it have to do with your gadgets and electrical devices?

At the risk of oversimplification, the voltage which pushes the power out of the wall outlet into your refrigerator, computer, TV and other electronic devices.

To make life complicated it is different from country to country.

Like the NTSC/PAL and ATSC/DVB debate differences in standards are largely down to tradition and regional pride (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_Currents) but that doesn’t mean electricity production and climate conditions don’t come into play.

So while there are two types of adapters, 110V and 220V there are four voltage ‘settings’, for wont of a better word.

• 220-240v at 50hz
• 220-240v at 60hz
• 110-127v at 50hz
• 110-127v at 60hz

Use the wrong adapter and the adapter itself might overheat and melt, potentially causing an electrical fire or the product itself might be irreversibly damaged.

But how can you avoid disaster?

Simply locate your country on the map and then you’ll know what your voltage requirements are. For more specific information visit the the Mains Power Systems Wikipedia page (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_power_systems#Table_of_mains_voltages_and_frequencies) for a country by country list.

And the next time you’re shopping on Chinavasion check out the voltage on the electronic items. If you’re not sure, or it looks like we don’t have it just send us an email and if we don’t have it we’ll probably be able to get one for you.