Italy Power Concerns
May 2nd, 2006, 04:55 PM
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Italy Power Concerns
Showing my complete ignorance - I need some assistance. My wife and I are traveling to Italy, and will be all over the country from the Amalfi Coast up to Turin. In my websurfing I have read that USA = 110V/Italy=220V. I have also read that I need a converter instead of an adapter. Here is the kicker - they are telling me that there are 3 different electric outlets - 2 specific to Italy and a German import. Now, finally after all that background info - here are the questions. What is the real scoop on Italy and Power? Any suggestions on a converter (I really don't want to fry my cell phone)?
May 2nd, 2006, 05:10 PM
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If your phone's charger is labeled 100-240V or some other range that overlaps both 110 and 220, then all you need is a plug adapter.
If it only says 110V, then you also need a transformer-type converter like this:
http://www.franzus.com/page/FOS/PROD/ELEC-CONV/F-11-1
There is a guide to adapters on the site.
If it only says 110V, then you also need a transformer-type converter like this:
http://www.franzus.com/page/FOS/PROD/ELEC-CONV/F-11-1
There is a guide to adapters on the site.
May 2nd, 2006, 05:42 PM
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If your cell phone charger is 110/220, all you will need is an adaptor. The GS-9 at this link will take care of this.
http://www.voltageconverters.com/plug_adapters.html
Don't use the converter that Robespierre linked for a hair dryer or anything with a lot of heat. It is used only for low wattage appliances such as cell phone/battery chargers.
http://www.voltageconverters.com/plug_adapters.html
Don't use the converter that Robespierre linked for a hair dryer or anything with a lot of heat. It is used only for low wattage appliances such as cell phone/battery chargers.
May 3rd, 2006, 05:37 AM
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Yes, that's why the description says <b>"Continuous use on 0-30 watt appliances. Intermittent use on 31-50 watt appliances."</b> I should think any person of average intelligence would be able to figure out what that means.
May 3rd, 2006, 06:33 AM
#7
"<i> any person of average intelligence would be able to figure out what that means</i>"
That's just a silly statement. Lots of very intelligent people might have no idea what that means. Being a techy or knowing about power requirements does not automatically make one smart - and - not being a techy nor knowing about power requirements does not automatically make one dumb.
Some people are smart about one or two things but dumb about everything else - we probably all know or have met a tech guru who knows everything about computers and cell phones and PDA's but not much else.
That's just a silly statement. Lots of very intelligent people might have no idea what that means. Being a techy or knowing about power requirements does not automatically make one smart - and - not being a techy nor knowing about power requirements does not automatically make one dumb.
Some people are smart about one or two things but dumb about everything else - we probably all know or have met a tech guru who knows everything about computers and cell phones and PDA's but not much else.
May 3rd, 2006, 07:07 AM
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Has anyone used a world plug adaptor like the one found here: http://www.madsonline.com/ and look under "Cords, GenGap etc."?
cw
cw
May 3rd, 2006, 07:12 AM
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"Some people are smart about one or two things but dumb about everything else - we probably all know or have met a tech guru who knows everything about computers and cell phones and PDA's but not much else."
I guess that's true of specialists of every stripe. I know it applies to many of the students and faculty that I encountered on my way to a degree (<i>cum laude</i
in English Language and Literature.
But the people I meet at <i>Mensa</i> and <i>Phi Kappa Phi</i> meetings, by contrast, tend to be quite knowledgeable on an astounding variety of subjects, and synthesize insights with a rather casual facility. In my experience, the very bright tend to absorb information on <u>everything</u> quite readily.
But I don't think I've <i>ever</i> met anyone who would fail to grasp the meaning of "Continuous use on 0-30 watt appliances," and I find it rather demeaning to imply that mcausey wouldn't be able to figure out that a 1500 watt hair dryer shouldn't be used on a converter with a 30 watt rating.
I guess that's true of specialists of every stripe. I know it applies to many of the students and faculty that I encountered on my way to a degree (<i>cum laude</i
in English Language and Literature.But the people I meet at <i>Mensa</i> and <i>Phi Kappa Phi</i> meetings, by contrast, tend to be quite knowledgeable on an astounding variety of subjects, and synthesize insights with a rather casual facility. In my experience, the very bright tend to absorb information on <u>everything</u> quite readily.
But I don't think I've <i>ever</i> met anyone who would fail to grasp the meaning of "Continuous use on 0-30 watt appliances," and I find it rather demeaning to imply that mcausey wouldn't be able to figure out that a 1500 watt hair dryer shouldn't be used on a converter with a 30 watt rating.
May 3rd, 2006, 07:37 AM
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I'll bet you <i>didn't</i> have the right converter. There are two flavors:
Transformer-type voltage converter - for electronics that have their own voltage converters to step down the line (mains) voltage to the 6-20 or so volts required by transistor circuits.
Switching-type voltage converter - generally speaking, to plug in stuff that functions by getting hot (hair appliances and the like).
The power supplies that charge cell phones and PDAs are often fried by plugging them into a switching-type converter. Transformer converters can be fried by plugging too big a load into them.
Be careful out there.
Transformer-type voltage converter - for electronics that have their own voltage converters to step down the line (mains) voltage to the 6-20 or so volts required by transistor circuits.
Switching-type voltage converter - generally speaking, to plug in stuff that functions by getting hot (hair appliances and the like).
The power supplies that charge cell phones and PDAs are often fried by plugging them into a switching-type converter. Transformer converters can be fried by plugging too big a load into them.
Be careful out there.
