ok now that i finally got that out, i'm less likely to harm someone. now, as you may know i'm going to be living in Rome for the next 4 months and of course i'm taking my laptop. so here's the dilemma, USA uses 110V and Europe uses 220V. if you plug in something like a hairdryer with only an adapter, well, that sucker is going to fry. luckily i'm buying all those annoying devices in italy. but, what shall i use for my computer? just a plug adapter or do i need a power converter (aka transformer)?
during my search for answers, i found out that people have no idea what the difference is between them and therefore use the words interchangeably. wow is that frustrating! so allow me to define them for you...
adapter
-A plug adapter lets you put your plug into the adapter and the adapter plugs into the socket. end. no conversion of volts happening, just slipping on a lil jacket for ur plug so it fits into the wall.
converter/transformer
-an electrical device that increases or reduces the voltage of an alternating current by mutual induction between primary and secondary coils or windings. aka that 220V coming outta euro walls turns into 110V for ur american device so it doesn't go boom!
Example: Using an adapter
Example: Using a converter
1. Wall socket - 2. adapter plug
3. converter/transformer - 4. device
credit this pic to: http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/elect.htm
NOTE: diagram picture is for when you use a converter and it comes with an american plug and need to use it in europe. that's where the adapter comes in.
my computer specs:
Dell Inspiron E1505
100-240V, 50-60Hz, 1.5A
1. according to Dell (the second call, and a manager thank god!) and to a bunch of online forums, articles, etc. all i need is a plug adapter because my range can handle the 220V and will automatically sense the higher voltage and adjust accordingly.
forums:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070811152320AA38jos
http://weuropetravel.suite101.com/discussion.cfm/6549
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=20513
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080702130348AA8qF7D
2. according to some friends, some who've been in europe, and Dell (the first call, which made no sense what they told me anyway. something about a 90 watt converter and a separate adapter to be purchased in europe? yea not so much)- they say i need a converter because my computer could overheat and get damaged.
now i'm not the type to take chances with my computer. i'm not just traveling to europe for like a week or two on vacation. so that plus people telling me to get the converter, i began to suspect that the adapter might end up doing damage in the long term. hense my confusion as what to do.
take the chance that the forums are right and buy the cheaper plug adapter?
-or -
don't take the chance and buy a transformer so that way nothing bad can happen? (hopefully)
----what is ur suggestion?
Dell Inspiron E1505
100-240V, 50-60Hz, 1.5A
1. according to Dell (the second call, and a manager thank god!) and to a bunch of online forums, articles, etc. all i need is a plug adapter because my range can handle the 220V and will automatically sense the higher voltage and adjust accordingly.
forums:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070811152320AA38jos
http://weuropetravel.suite101.com/discussion.cfm/6549
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=20513
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080702130348AA8qF7D
2. according to some friends, some who've been in europe, and Dell (the first call, which made no sense what they told me anyway. something about a 90 watt converter and a separate adapter to be purchased in europe? yea not so much)- they say i need a converter because my computer could overheat and get damaged.
now i'm not the type to take chances with my computer. i'm not just traveling to europe for like a week or two on vacation. so that plus people telling me to get the converter, i began to suspect that the adapter might end up doing damage in the long term. hense my confusion as what to do.
take the chance that the forums are right and buy the cheaper plug adapter?
-or -
don't take the chance and buy a transformer so that way nothing bad can happen? (hopefully)
----what is ur suggestion?
Transformer, why risk it?
ReplyDeleteTransformer, or see if you can buy a complete plug system for your laptop made for euro connections.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I agree...why risk it? Dell is usually wrong 50% of the time anyway LOL.
ReplyDeleteAt least then you will have it if you ever travel over there again and need it for something else.
Yes, I can rationalize the purchase of any gizmo :-)
Fascinating post, by the way!
Hey good luck with your electricity research. One of the other key things to remember is that you might want to have a surge protector in case there is unreliable electricity supply. you might be able to get one of those in Italy, is you post around in local electronics forms. Nice nerdy start to the blog :)
ReplyDeleteWOW that's alot of research... u must have alot of free time lol... anyways I'd also suggest transformer, just hope it's not too expensive.. good luck =D
ReplyDeleteTo error on the safe side of things, I would use a transformer. If anything, you would burn out the battery adapter before anything would ever get to the computer. I'll ask some of the Leed students when I see them in class.
ReplyDeleteYour favorite AE Electrical Major
thank you all for ur input!! i appreciate it and i hope u will follow my blog for the next few months while i'm overseas =)
ReplyDelete