Buying an electric device? Be sure to check its voltage to make sure that you don’t accidently plug it into the wrong power source. Your device may not work as expected and may even be irreparably damaged if it does not have the same voltage as the power source. If you have a 110-volt device and 220-volt wall outlet, you need a 110-volt to 220-volt converter to make it work safely and efficiently.
A converter is different from a transformer. Both have the same function of converting or transforming the voltage of a gadget in compliance with the voltage requirement of the wall outlet. However, they have different ways of changing the voltage.
A voltage converter is more portable and lighter than the transformer. It is also more convenient to carry along when you travel. It works best for DVD players, irons, mobile phones, and hair dryers.
There are devices that are ‘dual voltage’ and designed to work with 110 volts and 220 volts. You can plug these devices into any outlet without using a transformer or converter. But most devices are ‘single voltage,’ either 110 volts or 220 volts. So if you are traveling, you need to know the voltage requirement of the country you are going to visit and make sure to buy the right converter, such as 110-volt to 220-volt converter.
You also need to consider the size of voltage converter that you will buy. Volts measure the required pressure or force to release the energy. Watts measure the amount of energy being discharged per second. The wattage of the electrical product is typically written on the back or side of the device. It is recommended to buy a voltage converter that is at least twice the wattage of your device. However, if you are going to use a gadget that requires a sudden surge of energy when turned on, it is wise to choose a converter with at least three times your gadget’s wattage. If your 110-volt to 220-volt converter allows multiple devices or gadgets to be plugged into it, make sure that the total wattages of all the units will not exceed the watt capacity of the converter.
