powering computers without proper transformer
 

Hi all, discovered to our horror once we got here that the power adapter plug we bought is only two pronged and therefore not exactly proper for this laptop. I can plug the laptop in and it seems to work to charge it. Is it safe to do so. and question #2 - does anyone know an easy to find electronics/computer store in either Evora or Porto where we might get the proper adapter. We weren't able to find anything vaguely near us in Lisboa. thanks
signing off to conserve power. When I am fully charged I will start our trip report

Your computer almost undoubtedly will accept 220 V current since it was manufactured to be sold worldwide.

Ask the folks in your hotel if they can loan you an adaptor or where they think you might buy one.

You've used the right word in your post, adaptor, not transformer. Computers these days, as I'm sure you know, work on both voltage systems and need only the correct adaptor to plug it in. I believe, if it works, it's fine.

I've found that many hotels and guest houses keep adaptors to loan to guests so you might ask the people where you're staying. Also ask them for a shop that sells them, likely an electrical shop rather than computer store. And airport shops frequently sell them.

If you mean you can still plug the three-pronged power plug into the two-pronged adapter (with the round ground plug sticking out) then yes, you should be safe to use it. That ground plug sticking out is not connected to electricity. It is there as a safety mechanism to protect the adapter and the laptop from power surges etc., but under normal operation you should be able to use it just fine.

I often use a 3-to-2 pin adapter to remove the ground pin anyway with my laptop adapters. Never had an issue.

I also need to interpret your issue like Andrew.
I think what you are saying is that your computer charger plug has 3 prongs while your adopter is for connecting 2 prongs circular pins to 2 prong flat pins?

The third prong on your computer charger is for safety in case of grounding problem. It used to be needed for power hungry appliances like refrigerators. Some computer companies don't bother with the third prong anymore, while other continue to supply chargers with the third prong.

I have been using two prong adopters for almost two decades by ignoring the third prong. For some countries, like Japan, there is NO THIRD prong on wall outlets anyway. I have used two prongs only on Dell, Sony, Lenovo, HP, IBM, etc. laptops.

thanks all, you did indeed understand my dilemma in spite of my imprecise language. we did ask at the hotel but they said all of theirs are out. I will just charge sparingly and keep a lookout for stores. Am wondering if when we go to the airport to pick up our car whether we will be able to get to an electronics store there, or if they are all through security like in the US

I wouldn't buy anything - just keep using it as is, as long as the plug itself is making a secure connection with the power adapter. As long as you aren't bending that third prong much, don't worry about it.

I took her to mean that the outlet was configured for 3 pins. But either way, the 3rd is the ground and if electricity is flowing, that's the point, isn't it. If I lived there, I'd be inclined to upgrade, but for a short visit I wouldn't worry about it.

I wouldn't run all over the place to find something. When i was last in Florence I forgot to bring an adaptor; hotel couldn't loan one. I found in a streetside vendor's "tent" (literally) next to the Duomo of all places. Unlike you, I was not able to plug anything in at all so I'd say you are fortunate.

You might actually find an adaptor in a travel store IN the airport itself but I wouldn't make a special trip for it.

I am still not clear about OP's "dillemma." What is that the OP has that is "not exactly proper" and what OP thinks is missing. What was the object OP asked the hotel? The direct object is missing from the first of the sentence to interpret what "theirs" refer to.

My guess is https://answers.yahoo.com/question/i...2164224AArru6h

My adapters are two prong and I use them all the time when I travel.

I'm surprised that FNAC in Lisbon didn't have an adapter you could use. If they didn't have it I'm sure you won't find it in Evora.

I think it's clear by now what she thinks is missing is the 3rd hole in her adaptor for the ground pin on her computer plug. Asked the hotel for an adaptor with 3 holes.

yes, Mme Perdu, vous avez raison, we did ask the hotel but alas there was none. We shall ask at the next place. Meanshile, I am charging it a few minutes at a time. thanks all

Laura,

You don't seem to be assimilating what has been said above... there is no need for you to look for a different plug adapter. The one you have is fine as the third prong on your computer's plug is pretty well redundant anyway.

And pluggin in and charging for short periods is doing nothing for you except not charging your device. If there was to be a problem you'd notice the smoke and death of the appliance as soon as you plugged it in!

So relax and enjoy your holiday!

thanks all, we scored an adapter at the airport when we went to pick up our car and now we are happily charged.