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Using US electrical devices in Eastern Europe

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Old Sep 2nd, 2008, 05:25 PM
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Using US electrical devices in Eastern Europe

I'm traveling to Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, and the Cz Republic. I need to safely power up an ipod touch and a canon digital camera battery. Would someone recommend what I need to purchase to avoid frying these devices? Thank you!
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Old Sep 2nd, 2008, 05:43 PM
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There is a multitude of threads on this - there was a thread this afternoon. Put the words converter or adaptor in the search box.

Basically a voltage converter converts voltage and an adaptor converts the plug at the end of your power cord to the plug in the AC outlet. You may not need a converter if there is one within your unit such as laptops have. But you will always need a plug adaptor.
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Old Sep 3rd, 2008, 08:54 AM
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My Canon has a converter built in so all that is necessary is an adaptor. Ditto with the ipod. Read the manual.
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Old Sep 3rd, 2008, 11:09 AM
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All you neeed is a plug adapter, that changes the US style plug (2 flat blades) to a European style plug (2 round pins) You DO NOT need a voltage convertor as both adapters run on 110-220 volts.
Check the style plug you need for Hungary, I dont remember, but the others use std round plugs, such as in France
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Old Sep 4th, 2008, 11:11 AM
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Thank you for your advice... you all were very helpful.
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Old Sep 4th, 2008, 01:57 PM
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I would recommend that you buy the adaptor when you arrive. I purchased the adaptor prior to arriving in Italy only to find out that the 2 round prongs were too fat for the outlet. My son bought one for his IPod there and worked perfectly. Needless to say, I am taking his to Germany in a couple weeks. The plug unit on the device will alert you to the voltage. If the range, as stated earlier, is 110-220/240, then the device is fine with an adaptor. I would consult an expert if you need a converter. I got a converter and an adaptor for my hair dryer for use in Ireland and upon 1st use, the thing caught fire. The converter was not right for the appliance...
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Old Sep 4th, 2008, 05:38 PM
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Just returned from a trip to Germany, Austria, Italy, Hungary and Romania. I can tell you the two-prong Continental Europe adapter you can buy at any electronics store (or Wal-Mart/Target for that matter) will work in all five countries. In Italy, you may find that country's older outlet, which is three smaller round holes, but every hotel I stayed there also had the newer Continental Europe adapter in the bathroom. Kinda tough to charge the laptop in there, but I had no issues besides that.

As has been noted previously on this thread, both electronic items you mention should work on the higher voltage outlets in Europe without the converter.

Budapest is outstanding, by the way. You can't help but enjoy that city.
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