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Chapter 11
(without photos) of
HOW TO EUROPE
The Complete Travelers Handbook
Internet edition.
A page from
enjoy-europe.com
by
John Bermont
Don't blow their fuses.
THE DIFFERENCES
Converting European electricity so that it can be used in your
American appliances and electronic gadgets is a significant nuisance for travelers. Deciding
which electrical equipment to bring will be a major consideration as you make your
packing list.
What is Electricity?
Electricity, in the nearly abstract, is a form of energy
consisting of a flow of electrons. The flow can be continuous in
one direction (direct current electricity, DC), or it can be reversing on a
regular period (alternating current electricity, AC).
Electricity is measured in terms of quantity (amperes, amps) and
force (voltage, volts). The energy used is electrical power (watts). In DC and
single phase AC electrical circuits, power is equal to the product of quantity
and force. In other words, volts multiplied by amps is watts. Instead of
mentioning watts, the nameplate on many electrical devices uses the term volt amps,
abbreviated VA.
The quantity of electricity available at any outlet is determined by the size
of the wires furnishing it. The fuse or circuit breaker at the main electrical panel
is designed to limit the flow of electricity according to the size of the
wires. If your hair blower, for example, tries to draw too much power, the fuse
blows before the wire gets so hot that it starts a fire.
The "Hz" you see on electrical appliances indicates the number of
times per second that AC current reverses direction. Hz is the
abbreviation for Hertz, named after a German physicist.
I hope this little bit of electrical know-how won't make you
dangerous.
Electricity in America
In the United States household electricity is supplied by your
local power company or municipal utility at 110 or 120 volts and 60
Hz. The quantity available in American homes is generally 15 to 20
amps at a single outlet or for the total of all outlets served by
a single fused circuit. Thus, one circuit may provide from 1650 to
2400 watts of power. One circuit usually supplies more than one
outlet, and many people use a doubler plug or power strip so they can use more lights or
appliances from a single outlet. This can cause blown fuses. Instead of fuses,
circuit breakers (CBs) are used in most homes built in the last few decades.
A CB is a switch which automatically opens when too much power is being used.
When the switch opens the flow of electricity is shut off. When the cause of the excessive
power draw is resolved the CB can be reset.
Electricity in Europe
The European version of electricity is generally supplied at 220 volts and a
frequency of 50 Hz. Officially it is 230 volts plus or minus 10%.
Some localities have 110 volts, but 50 cycles
is the standard frequency regardless of the voltage throughout France, Italy,
Germany, England, Spain, and the rest of
Europe. The quantity available depends on the hotel or home where
you are staying. You might be able to use a 1000 watt hair blower
or travel iron. If the lights start to flicker, shut it off
immediately. I once blew a fuse in an old French hotel as I was drying my hair with a 600
watt hair blower.
APPLIANCES
To use electrical appliances in Europe, some hardware is needed
in order to plug in without electrocuting your machine, and maybe
yourself. Since the hotel keeper or desk clerk probably knows less
about electricity than you do, don't bother asking if you can plug
in your appliances — you may scare him. Just make sure to unplug
everything after use. Especially don't leave anything plugged
in while you are sleeping or out sightseeing.
Low Wattage
Small electrical appliances like radios, razors, battery chargers, etc. can
normally operate with a 50 watt transformer. This is a heavy little
clunk of steel and copper wire. If your appliance is marked 60 Hz, and not 50/60
Hz, you run the risk of burning up something inside even when using
a transformer.
High Power Electric Appliances
Heating devices like hair blowers and irons can use the 1000 or
1600 watt "converter." The converter is a small electronic device
which can only be used on heating appliances rated at equal electrical power. In
other words, don't use a 1600 watt converter on a 400 watt device.
Do not bother bringing an electric clock or clock radio to
Europe. These devices, which generally operate on AC motors, will
run at only 5/6 of the speed for which they were designed because
the speed is determined by the electric frequency. If, for
instance, you bring your electric alarm clock and set it at 6 pm
when you check into the hotel, it will read only 11 pm when it is
midnight, and only 4 am when it is 6 am. You will probably miss
breakfast.
If your electrical device has a transformer in it, you probably
should not bring it to Europe. Lower frequencies require thicker
transformers. Transformers designed for 60 Hz operation will
overheat and sometimes burn up when used in 50 Hz circuits. Make
sure that your stereo receiver is rated for both 50 and 60 cycles
before moving it to Europe. We used to have a tape deck which
apparently suffered untimely death due to 50 Hz.
Your portable CD and DVD player probably run on batteries and they
have a jack for external power from a transformer "brick." See the comments
below regarding rechargeable batteries.
Your electric razor and hair blower will run at a slower speed,
but you'll barely notice the difference. Just make sure to use the
right device, "transformer" or "converter," or you will soon smell
smoke.
TV
If you are relocating to Europe for an extended period, don't
bother bringing a TV. Not only because of the differences in
electricity, but because the broadcast signals in Europe are
different, an American TV will have a constant roll, snow, and static.
Radios work fine, provided you transform the voltage. See chapter 22,
"Living in Europe",
for more information on television.
DVDs
The producers of DVDs have introduced a "zone" system for all DVDs. There are
six geographical zones in the world. The USA is #1, Europe and some
other areas are #2, etc. DVD players will only play DVDs manufactured
for a specific zone. The reason they do this is to control the sales and make
more money. So if you intend to buy a DVD in Europe make sure that it will
play in your zone #1 player, but it probably won't. Or buy a zone #2 player
while you are in Europe so you can watch those French movies. But check the
electrical nameplate for 110/220 volts and 50/60 Hz.
EXCEPTIONS AND CAUTIONS
110/220 Volts
Although European electricity is generally 220 volts, there are
a few places where you will find 110 volts. On entering a hotel
room, inspect a light bulb. It will be marked with the voltage as
at home. Then you know. You can also find the voltage stamped on
the back of the radio or TV if your room has one or the other. But
there are exceptions. On a recent visit to Stockholm, I found that
the hotel room was 220 volts, except for the shaver outlet in the
bathroom. It was 110 volts only. It is more common to find both 110
and 220 volts available in bathroom shaver outlets of the better
hotels.
Old Wires
There are still a few cheap hotels in Europe warning
against the use of any electric appliances in the rooms. Even though
some of these places are recommended in popular budget guidebooks,
do not stay there. The warning signs in the lobby indicate that the hotel wiring
is archaic and that they have had trouble before. Someday some
tourist is going to plug in all his electrical machines and fry the wiring. If
you are lucky, all you will lose is the lights. About one hotel in
Europe goes up in smoke every year or so. See chapter 14 for more
information on safety in hotels.
Direct Current Electricity, DC
DC electricity is produced by batteries. DC is used to power
cameras, flashlights, camera flash units, portable radios, portable
recorders and CDs, calculators, camcorders, laptop computers, etc..
Each appliance has its own unique requirements for batteries. This
is stated in the operating instructions and in the battery housing.
Units which operate on an external power source will generally work on
the same charger if it is rated for 110-240 volts and 50-60 Hz,
or if it is used with a transformer, and rated for 50 Hz.
It is reported that some parts of Europe are wired for DC
electricity in the homes, though I suspect that this is a legend.
I've never seen it. But if you find yourself in one of these areas, do
not attempt to use AC electrical appliances.
TRAVELING ELECTRICAL KIT
When bringing electrical appliances to Europe, some or all of
the following list must also be carried:
Plug adapters
Transformer
Converter
Batteries
Rechargeable batteries
Battery charger
Plug Adapters
European electrical outlets come in different sizes and shapes.
On the Continent, outlets normally require a plug with two round
prongs about 0.19 inch (4.8 mm) in diameter and 0.72 inch (18 to 19 mm) apart. Outlets in
some older hotels accept a plug with two round holes about 0.15
inch (3.8 mm) in diameter and 0.72 inch apart.
If you are bringing a laptop computer or other device which has an American
three prong grounded plug you will need a grounded plug adapter. The Continental grounded plug
still has only two prongs on it but it has a ground connection on the top side of the plug.
Newer design outlets accept
a grounded plug, but extenders for the old style can be
purchased which will allow you to plug in. The standard grounded plug
will not fit in the slightly smaller holes of the old hotel
outlets. If you run up against that problem, go out to a local department
or hardware store and buy an additional adapter when you get there.
Most British and Irish facilities use a three prong plug, with two flat
prongs in line and one perpendicular.
Newer facilities in
Switzerland have another kind of plug. This one has three round
prongs in a triangular pattern. You can buy adapters in Swiss electrical stores
to convert the standard European safety plug to the Swiss outlet.
In Eastern Europe it is more likely
that you will find the old style European plug, at least until the time when all those
countries adopt and implement EU (European Union) standards. The old style is the two
round narrow prongs, 0.15" in diameter.
Plug adapters for the American double flat prongs are
virtually impossible to buy in Europe. My recommendation is to buy a Continental plug adapter for each
appliance before departure. Carry extras in case they are borrowed
or disappear. Or, if you have dual voltage
appliances, cut off the American plugs before you go and then
install European plugs when you arrive in Europe. I did this for
one trip and saved carrying around some extra hardware for a few
months.
Transformer
A 50 watt, 50/60 Hz transformer is a heavy little thing because
it is several cubic inches of solid steel plates and copper wire.
But you will need one if your small appliances are not dual
voltage.
Converter
This electronic device reduces 220 volts to 110 volts for use on
hair dryers, irons, and other high wattage heating devices.
If your high wattage equipment doesn't have a dual voltage
switch, you need one of these converters. It is much lighter and smaller
than a transformer of equal capacity, and it is definitely not a transformer (see above). If it
is used with something like a 400 watt slide projector, the lamp will
burn out in a few seconds. Yup, I know — I did that. I've read that
the 1,600 watt converters can also fry a 1,200 watt item.
If you need a hair dryer, iron, or similar item you would be much better
off buying a 220v/110v dual voltage unit. The reasons are that you carry one less item
and you avoid the risk of burning up your equipment. Many normal electrical appliances
these days include a chip in the control crcuit. The electrical output of a converter is
just half of the sine wave. That's how it chops the voltage down to 110. So the output is
an on-off single polarity pulse. That's OK for a pure heating element but it will shake the shorts off a
silicon chip. The alternative is to buy a 1,600 watt transformer. That will weigh about 25 pounds!!!
Batteries
Bring spare batteries for your equipment. If you buy batteries
in Europe, do not expect much. Cheap off-brands are widely
available, and probably dead on arrival when you get back to your
hotel room. Even some Duracell batteries I have bought in Europe
were completely dead when I tried to use them a few hours after
purchase.
Camera batteries are another subject. See
chapter 12,
"Photography in Europe," for information.
Rechargeable Batteries
Ni-cad rechargeable batteries made by Eveready, General
Electric, Sony, Panasonic, and others are expensive but pay for
themselves in a hurry, especially in Europe.
Battery charger
If you are using rechargeable batteries, carry a charger. If it
is not dual voltage, use the 50 watt transformer to power it in
Europe.
Digital cameras, laptop computers, portable CD players, and most other portable electrical devices these
days have internal rechargeable batteries and an external "brick"
battery charger. The bricks are normally rated for 100-240 volts and 50-60 Hz.
You don't need a transformer or converter with these devices, just simple plug
adapters for the countries you are going to visit.
SOURCES
Home Town
Individual plug adapters, transformers, converters, and kits are
sold in some department stores (try the wallet section) and by
several electrical specialty companies. Better luggage retailers also carry a
selection of electrical devices and other widgets for
travelers.
Airports
The duty free shops in international airports carry many
electrical appliances. If you didn't have the opportunity to buy
what you need before leaving home, browse through the duty free
shop before getting on the plane.
After you land in Europe you will again see duty free shops in the airport. But you
cannot buy anything in a duty free shop when you land. You can only shop
duty free on departure.
Over There
American-to-European plug adapters are nearly impossible to find in
Europe so you'd better get these before you go. It is possible
to buy transformers in Europe, but it may be difficult to find a small one
suitable for traveling. They are also very expensive in Europe. If you
really need one, try stores selling hardware, electrical goods,
computers, or electronics.
The Internet
If you do a search for these electrical devices on the internet you will find
many manufacturers, models, and vendors. I've saved you some trouble by locating
what you need at the Amazon.com store. See the items in my advertising column
at the left. Most of these items can be delivered in a few days direct to your door.
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