I have a small hair dryer with dual voltage. It has a switch for 125V/250V. I used it in Europe, as well as the US with success. Last trip to Italy, I took a flat iron to straighten my hair. It didn't have dual voltage so I plugged it into a converter. It melted the flat iron. So...I purchased a Secu Revolution Shortie Styler with the words "dual voltage for travel" on the box. It's very, very small (the size of a mark-so-lot). It doesn't have any type of switch to alternate from one voltage (US) to another (Europe). What gives? Is there such a thing as an automatic dual voltage, built in such that I don't need to adjust it? I'm suspicious that it will really work (i.e. not melt). Electrician experts - I welcome your input. (My hair thanks you.)

AGES ago I had a dual voltage curling brush that "automatically" used the correct voltage. All I did was use the appropriate plug adapter; it worked like a charm.

Actually, the brand is "Sedu", not Secu

Those converters are illegal to use (and that is for a reason!). You can buy a transformer, which will be rather havy. If you're wise, you'd buy your stuff in Europe.

Don't see why it would not work. I looked up the thing online, and it clearly says it has an automatic dual voltage feature for 110/240 volt services. I would think all you would need would be the appropriate plug adapter, and you are ready to go.

But what would I know, being a guy with almost no hair.

I tend to stay away from dual-voltage appliances (whether automatic or switchable) for high-wattage application like a drier, curler or straightner. Even if they don't melt, they often don't give optimal performance when used at a different voltage to the 'home' voltage. Much better to buy a suitable appliance in Europe for 220V use and keep it for future trips.
No problem using dual voltage item for low current application like charger, shaver etc.

Some small appliances like this billed as dual voltage have a switch you toggle for the voltage where you are. Others will accept input over a range that accepts US and European voltages. If you look on the label (that really tiny print) it should say something like "Input 110-240"

Convertors are iffy - better to go with appliances that operate on the voltage where you will travel.

I asked the same question a month or so ago regarding a curling iron that stated it was dual voltage but had no switch (every dual voltage appliance I've used previously had a switch). Fodorite's answer: it will switch automatically. Real-life application answer: it will switch automatically. It worked just fine in France, Belgium, and England with the proper prong adapter. This particular curler has 20 heat settings - I kept it on setting 5 or lower just to be sure I wouldn't melt my hair. It did get hotter on those settings than it does at home.

I have a Sony automatic dual voltage battery charger that works just fine with just a plug adapter.

I might sound funny, but contrary to common belief, your insurance company knows local laws and unfortunately will follow them totally, disrespecting your feelings or experiences. They are just so mean! So please, try to avoid setting the house on fire.

Yes, it does have in small print on the appliance "110-240V". Yes, I agree that buying one in Europe would make the most sense, but I saw this online and ordered it without thinking through the consequences. So...if others have had a similar experience with other appliances, I'll trust this works. I am curious, though, about the "converters are illegal" comment. That is news to me. We use converters to charge cell phones, small DVD players for the plane, this type of thing.

All legal transformers carry the "CE" mark. The rest is up to you.

"Much better to buy a suitable appliance in Europe for 220V use and keep it for future trips."

I so found this out the hard way several years ago. I almost blew up my hotel in Assisi because of converter problems. Not a happy day.

I did buy a curling iron (or what passed for one) eventually while in Rome, but have not been happy with that particular product and would like to look for something else the next time I am there. I was told you had to go to what I would call an appliance store in Italy to get these products, and that is indeed where I found the one I have (that I dislike). Any hints on where to go to find a better selection of these products over there?

I'm trying to understand the terminology. When you say "the rest is up to you", are you saying the rest is up to me to understand? I don't know the difference between a converter and a transformer. The device I purchased at Radio Shack is a converter. Are you saying there is a different product I need in order to change the voltage from US to Europe? I'm also not understanding the CE mark. Is that something printed on the appliance somewhere to indicate it's okay to use in Europe? I'm amenable to complying, I just need to know how! Thanks!

>illegal
Actually, if you use a product that doesn't carry the "CE" mark, you yourself certify that it free of any faults, does accord to specifications and that you are liable 100% for any harm to people or things that may occour during it's use.
So, if you chose to use the product, you guarantee for it's safety. You will not get punished if nothing happens using the product! If people are harmed, you legally are the producer of the unit. It doesn't help to say, "I didn't know".

>printed on the appliance somewhere to indicate it's okay to use in Europe?
Exactly, you'll find it on the plug or the appliance.

Now we're getting somewhere - yes - the flat iron has printed on the side "CE" - so I should be okay. Helpful info - thanks.

Simply said, if you use it and it doesn't carry the "CE" mark, your insurance won't pay!

Perfect! No need to worry!

Sometimes in older hotels the problem is not the voltage but the total wattage. Older buildings often just don;t have enough power for heating appliances that pull a lot - and then it fries the appliance or the connection in the building. I would just get one in europe made for the local conditions.