This is chapter 11. The entire book is published free on-line by the DIY traveler, author, photographer, and webmaster —yours truly— with help from my daughter Stephanie and good friend Paula in Haarlem, Nord Holland, Netherlands. Questions, comments, complaints, and contributions are welcome. Please click footnote. Patronage at my euro-shoppe™ keeps this site on line. Updated .
The biggest difference between European and American electricity is the voltage. Our USA electricity comes in at 110 volts. In Europe it is 220 volts. American appliances will literally blow up if you are able to get them plugged in over there. Yup, I did that.
The second unseen difference is the frequency. Europe operates on 50 cycles per second, "50 Hz" for short. American frequency is 60 Hz. Even if you change the voltage from 220 to 110 (easy to do) the frequency difference can have serious effects on many devices, from faulty operation to destruction. Yup, I've thrown out some expensive stuff after this mistake.
There is one obvious difference in European electrical service. That difference is the design of electrical outlets. There are five types of outlet used throughout Europe. None of these European outlets bear any resemblance to the American version. Therefore, plug adapters are needed. But only use a plug adapter if your appliances pass on the voltage and frequency differences.
How to deal with European electricity all depends on what you want to plug in. There isn't any one-answer-fits-all. The detailed details are described and illustrated in these three parts of my electricity chapter.
Additional chapters discussing everything from hairblowers to televisions are at:
If you still have questions after you have taken the time to read these three pages of electrical information for travelers please do not hesitate to write and ask. I know quite a bit about this subject as noted in my essay on converters at 11.1.
I answer every email at [email protected]. Vendors, please don't bother.
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