An electrical outlet converter works by increasing or decreasing the voltage from the outlet to the item that is plugged in. There are two primary types of converters: the step-up and the step-down. The step-up converter decreases the current from 220 to 110 volts. It is primarily used by people traveling to North America. The step-down converter increases the current from 110 to about 220 volts. It is mostly used by people traveling overseas from North America. The converter that you should use will vary, based on the wattage required by a small device. For instance, you would need different converters for a small fan and a hair dryer.
The size and shape of the plugs on various devices is not the same in every country. Plugs can have a different number of prongs, and the prongs can be flat or round. An adapter has one end that matches the device in terms of the number and shape of the prongs, and the other end matches the outlet. If the voltage requirements are the same, you can plug the adapter into the outlet, then plug the device into the adapter. If the voltage requirements are different, you would use the adapter in conjunction with a converter or transformer. The adapter does not affect the electrical current.
Transformers are like converters, but they can be used with larger devices that have a chip or a circuit, such as a computer, a radio, a TV or a DVD player. Transformers come in different sizes, based on the wattage needed to power the device. They can be used for long periods of time and are more expensive than regular converters. Like converters, transformers come in step-up and step-down models.
A converter is designed to work for short periods of time, such as between 45 and 60 minutes, and you should unplug them when they are not being used. A transformer should be able to handle 50 percent more wattage than whatever is plugged into it requires. For instance, a laptop or device that requires 600 watts to run would need a transformer that can handle 900 watts. You can damage a device not only by failing to use a converter or transformer, but also by using the wrong one. Be sure to check the voltage standards of whatever countries you may be visiting.
