Will I need a voltage adaptor for these small appliances in Paris?
 

Of course, I wish to look stunning while on vacation in Paris, so I am bringing my flat iron for my hair. It is 120v. Instructions say it works in US, Canada and Mexico. Do I need a voltage adaptor for France? Same question for a camera battery charger.

Thanks!

The plug shape is different and the voltage is different. Get an adaptor that also changes the voltage so it does not blow up on you...my mother blew up hairdryers years ago as she got the plug to use but not the elec converter!

Thanks Siobhan. Will do.

flat iron:
Buy a new one, once you arrive. DO NOT buy or use a converter. May blow fuse or set house on fire.

Camera + charger: check if it is 230 Volt capable. (chance close to 100%) In that case, buy plug adapter

Chances are your camera battery chager is dual voltage (charger will probably say something like "input 100-240V") in whcih case all you need is a plug adapter to go from two prong flat to the round two pin.

If flat iron only says 120v - it will not work in Paris - if I were you I'd buy a dual voltage o buy one in Paris.

Unless your appliances offer a working range of something like "110v - 240V" don't use them in Europe which uses the higher voltage. This will be written on them somewhere.

Battery chargers should work fine, the flat iron sounds as though it could present a overheating/fire risk. There have been quite a few threads on this subject before so try a search.

Don't forget to buy a US-Europe plug adaptor.

logos, I am looking at the battery charger. It says input is 100v - 240v. So am I safe with just a plug adapter? I note that i did that successfully, though without thought, in Spain last year. Assume it's the same for France.

Please, tell me why a voltage adaptor is unsafe.

Was typing while you all were posting. I'm ok with the battery charger.

Why is voltage adapter unsafe?

Thanks.

>It says input is 100v - 240v.
Perfect, will work.

>Why is voltage adapter unsafe?
It's illegal to use, yet sold in the US. (Transformers (havy) are legal.

>Why is voltage adapter unsafe?
How good is your understanding of physics and electronics? Are terms like switching power supply, internal resistance and phase known to you?

Regardimg flat irons, the Chi website actually posts a warning NOT to use them with a converter in Europe. Buy one there.

It will <i>probably</i> work w/ a power converter and a plug adaptor - but it may also burn up and blow the fuses in the entire bldg.

But even IF it does work, it won't work at the highest temps. So - buy a European flat iron (not a dual voltage one - since it would have the same low temp issue) in Paris.

Voltage converters do not work well, if at all, for appliances that heat up.

As mentioned above, many flat irons indicate on the package that they are NOT to be used with converters.

Totally agree with the advice to either buy a dual voltage flat iron or purchase one in Paris.

Iregeo, one of the problems is that the frequency of the power supplies differs, 60Hz in the US and 50Hz in Europe. Try something like &quot;US Electrical voltage&quot; on Google. You are getting good advice here.

Hi Ir,

Most voltage converters are intended for use with low wattage appliances, not for irons.

It would be much better if your brought a 110/220 dual voltage iron for which you will need an adapter plug, or buy an iron in France.

Your camera battery charger should say 110/220V on it.

If it does, you only need a plug adapter.

If it doesn't, get a new one.

((I))

Back to my comments about the temps.

A dual voltage flat iron (or hairdryer for that matter) will <i>work</i> w/ just a plug adaptor. But those type of appliances w/ heat (and in the case of hair dryers - motors) will not work at its highest temperature/speed settings.

When used at the higher voltage there is a sort of governor inside the appliance that prevents it from going to the top settings. So - that means if you need a <b>HOT</b> flat iron to deal w/ your hair type, you will be disappointed w/ the performance of a dual voltage model. If you don't need the highest heat setting - then it will be OK.

That is why I recommended buying a single voltage flat iron in Paris.

I wonder what the availability of flat irons is in Paris? I've looked in London, Rome, and Paris for a wide-barrel curling iron with no success. So I take my dual voltage one with me, and to be sure, it doesn't heat up well in Europe.

I haven't seen any curling appliances with wide barrels in Paris either.

I prefer a &quot;hot brush&quot; to a curling iron (much easier to manager and better results) and love the Conair dual voltage, which is available in 3/4&quot; or 1-1/4&quot;. I've been using the 1-1/4&quot; for over ten years, and have a second I keep packed in the travel tote at all times. It worked wonders when I had a too tight/frizzy perm. And, it's easier catch the ends smoothly than with a curling iron. With an adapter plug, I've used it in Great Britain, France, Switzerland, and Russia with no problems.

I'll be in the same flat-iron predicament for Paris specifically.

Does anyone know where I can pick one up? I'll be staying in Montmartre, but obviously can go wherever in Paris to get one. I'm just not familiar with any stores that might sell this appliance.

Geez...why does stunning have to cost so darn much?!?!

Djkbooks, thanks for the recommendation for the curling brush; I'll have to try it next trip.

Don't wish to beat a dead horse, but...I see that there are voltage converters made specifically for appliances, such as irons, intended to heat up, and which are different than converters intended for non-heating electrical appliances. Even these converters are dangerous for my intended purpose?


Thanks.

As for the comments about 50Hz vs 60Hz it's really irrelevant to iregeo's question. Charging devices that convert AC to DC (and this includes computer power supplies) and heating devices don't give a flip about the frequency.

Anything that depends on a moving motor can be affected by the frequency difference. When I plug in my old AC powered clock when I travel to Europe it seems to work just fine. The day seems to drag on about 20% longer, but the clock seems ok. Maybe it's just jet lag.

Uh oh. Now I'm really confused. So J62, is it your opinion that since my flat iron has no motor, I'll be ok using it with a converter?

Obviously, I'm looking for the answer I want to hear!

I was looking for one of those gadgets myself because we seem to need one.
I saw this in an advertisement and stripped off the name and posted the specs below:

# International Voltage Converter Adaptor Kit
# Converts 220/240V foreign electricity to 110/120V high wattage travel heating appliance.
# Allows you to use your appliance anywhere in the world.
# This travel kit combines the correct adaptor plug with the converter so that the 110/120V heating appliances can operate overseas.
# 1600 watt converter is designed for travel irons, hair dryers, coffee makers, electric blankets, steamer, etc.

Would this device not work as claimed? Or is it really a light duty transformer?

I COPIED THIS FROM MAGELLAN'S WEBSITE:

Heating appliances such as hairdryers, curling irons, etc. do not need the same sine wave quality that electronic and motorized appliances require to operate (which is fortunate, as they often pull fairly high wattage). It is possible, therefore, to operate these appliances safely overseas with the use of a 0-2000 watt heating converter. Heating converters reduce the voltage with the use of capacitors that literally &quot;squish&quot; the 220 voltage down to 110 voltage. In so doing, the capacitors also flatten the sine wave. This is fine for heating appliances that rely solely on resistance to operate. Like the 0-50 watt transformer, the heating converter is designed for short-term use. It is also equipped with an internal breaker to guard against overheating.

Because heating converters do not use wire wraps to reduce the voltage, they are much lighter (4 oz as opposed to the 20 lb 1500 watt heavy-duty transformer). Heating converters are not capable of grounding, and please remember, heating converters are designed for use with heating appliances ONLY. They must never be used with motorized or electronic appliances as damage may occur.

No, my comments were strictly about the frequency, not the voltage or power.

I'm of the opinion that any device generates heat should be one designed for the local electrical source - and that includes both voltage &amp; power rating as well as the actual plug.

Translated: buy one when you get there, or go curly for a few days.

If you keep asking perhaps you'll get the answer you want, then you can ignore the other 20 answers you've seen.

Ouch.

If you want to take you iron - do so. I'd quit asking hoping the answers will change. It might work - or it might work for 2 days and then melt - or it might not work at all - OR it could work and then blow all the fuses in your apartment or hotel - OR it could work too well and singe your hair.

The power coming out of the wall in Paris is the same as what you have for your washing machine or electric stove back home - not the low voltage you have in the rest of your house. If you want to risk your hair - that is fine.

If it was me - I'd definitely get a European, single voltage iron. But some say I am too cautious. It is up to you . . . . . .

Dual voltage models do make a lot of sense - if you can find one then bring it along. If you don't want too much info then skip the rest of this reply.

Janis' comments about low/high settings for dual voltage appliances sound good in theory, but aren't 100% correct from a physics perspective.

The power consumed/heat produced is proportional to the voltage squared, so the heat output on low setting in Europe is roughly 4x greater than at the same setting in the US. If you could run it on the high setting you'd have insta-char hair. There is no normal wiring that'll supply 6000Watts (1500x4), so the circuit breaker or fuse will blow. Try running 4 hair driers on high at the same time and you'll get the point. That's why you can't switch dual voltage appliances to high setting.

The simplest dual voltage appliances have a simple mechanical switch that you throw for 110 or 220V. The higher setting simply blocks the on/off switch from moving to the high position - it's a simple mechanical blockage with a piece of plastic - typically nothing more. No governor, etc.

In practice, the heat output of the low setting in Europe vs the high setting in US will depend on how low is the low setting. If it is about 1/4 the max power (when used at home) then you should get about the same heat output. If it is less, then you'll notice less heat when you use it in Europe. This may be what janis has experienced. I've not seen this info on any dual voltage appliance so it's hard to tell.

Yeah - I knew it wasn't a &quot;governor&quot; as such - but it is a mechanism that prevents it from working on higher settings . . . . . .

Irego

I would be concerned with &quot;heating converters are not capable of grounding&quot;.

You can always give it a try. Hopefully, you won't injure yourself or burn the building down.

If it doesn't work, then go shopping.

I, personally, don't understand purchasing a Euro model which can only be used in Europe, versus a dual voltage which can be used anywhere.

On one trip to Paris, I packed a dual voltage blow dryer, not the one I usually pack. When switched, it would not turn on. And, I tried each of half a dozen or more outlets in the room.

The blow dryer in the bathroom, attached to the wall in an awkward spot, was dreadful in many ways, but also took forever.

It was no easy task to find a simple, lightweight, &quot;inexpensive&quot; model in Paris. I looked in all the obvious places - BHV, etc. And, I finally found a nice one, more favorably priced, when wandering about and passing a hardware store with personal care appliances in stock as well. It's a terrific blow dryer, and I do pack it for Europe now. But, I'd much prefer to just keep a spare packed at all times that will work no matter where I'm going.