taniakatbi

So I'm studying in the South of France, and I would like to use my U.S curler&straighter (already blew out my blow dryer) so I know that I need not only an a adapter, but I also need a converter. I bought a universal adapter/converter today and it says 6a max 100-240 V. And it has switches that change from U.S.A, Europe, and U.K. Will this fry my american curling iron if it says 120v/240v 50/60 Hz or my flat iron that says 120v 60hz? help!

janisj

Your straightener won't necessarily work any better that your dear departed hair dryer did. Since your are there for some length of time . . I'd definitely buy a European spec curling iron/flat iron

It will be money well spent

Sarastro

You do not need, nor do you want a converter. Any such device capable of safely handling the demands of a hairdryer/curling iron would weigh more than a brick and cost you a great deal more than simply going to Darty, Carrefour, or Auchan and purchasing devices designed to be operated at 220vac.

I have seen both hair dryers and flat irons sold at Darty in Montpellier for as little as 15€.

zippo

Your curling iron says it will work at any voltage so you need no voltage converter for it, only an adapter.(using a converter will do no harm providing the iron takes less than 6Amps of current - probably OK.I'd avoid it.)
Your flat iron will need a converter for the UK and France as you will be applying twice the voltage it expects.
(ie it may fry without a converter))
The mains frequency (measured in Hz) makes no difference for these items.
When using a voltage converter always make sure it can supply enough current, or the converter itself may fry.Your 6Amp converter is fairly powerful, but check all the same - look at the plate on the devices you are supplying from it.
If running more than one device, add up the current ratings.
If no current rating is stated, you can work it out from the wattage. (watts = amps x volts)

Sidny

Agree with janisj! IME, US hair appliances don't work in Europe (even though they seem like they should since they're dual voltage and I'm using the proper adapter). Absolutely spend the money and pick up one locally, so much less frustrating!

BeachGirl247

Agree with above - your US hairdryer (which pulls about 1875 watts) will not work through a converter. It handles much lower items such as electric razors and such. Buy a european model hairdryer when you get there.

My dual voltage hot iron works fine, though through an adaptor.

kerouac

Put away your American items. You must buy European replacements. A transformer will not help due to the different cycles (60 vs 50).

J62

The frequency (60 vs 50 hertz) doesn't make a difference when it comes to heating appliances. For motors and clocks, yes, but not for irons or hair dryers.

But the advice still stands - buy items intended to operate at 240V.

spaarne

For intelligence on European electricity see http://tinyurl.com/2y9zvv. You should probably just go to your nearest department store and buy stuff for the local electrical volts and frequency with plugs for the outlets.