Power converters regulate the voltages between the wall and the device you wish to power. Power converters can be used in vehicles to power devices as well, regulating the power from the cigarette lighter and turning it into voltage usable by devices.
For example, in Europe, the standard voltage is 220, while American devices use 110. If you plugged an American-made device directly into the wall, it would short out. If you plug it into a converter, which is then plugged into the wall, the converter will regulate it and allow it to run properly.
Power converters can be purchased at any electronics store, department store or travel specialty stores.
