Why do they sell plug adapter for us to uk? And why do people have success with them? Wouldn’t they also need a step up or down transformer to accompany it??? How can someone just use an adapter and have it work??
In: Engineering
Many devices can run on both 110v 60Hz or 240v 50Hz.
Just need to be carefull you don’t plug a 110v only into 240v, BANG!
Ok first, please calm down with all the question marks. One is enough. Also, I have no idea what you mean when you say “why do people have success with them”.
Some devices work on multiple voltages. Pretty much all electronic devices like phones, laptops, and tablets can run on anything from 100-240v at both 50 or 60hz. For those, you only need an adapter for the plug to fit in the outlet. Some devices like hairdryers and whatnot have s electable voltage options. For these you also don’t need a transformer, just an adapter and to make sure you’ve selected the right voltage.
Then there are devices that are only meant to work on 1 voltage. If you have a 120v device and are traveling to a country with a 240v power supply, you’ll need a converter. Otherwise the 240v flowing through your device will blow it out, melt it, and maybe start a fire. Likewise, if you have a 240v device and are traveling to a country with 120v, you’ll need a converter, because the 120v supply will not power your device, or it may power it but too slowly.
It’s rare to need an actual transformer. For traveling, a converter will do, if you even need one at all. The only time you’d need a transformer is for an electronic device like a computer that does *not* accept dual voltages.
From the EU plug you only need an adapter because it’s 240V 50Hz. From the US plug you don’t need a transformer if what you’re plugging in has a universal power supply that accepts both 120V and 240V – decent PC power supplies are such, but for them you should just buy an IEC cable with a UK plug end. Probably costs less too. If what you want to plug in can’t deal with 240V, then you need a transformer.
So many modern devices have transformers in them already to handle that difference in voltage. If you look at the specs for a laptop charger for instance it usually says it can handle a range of voltages. Mine says 100-240v. In that case you only need a plug adapter. If using older devices then you’ll need an adapter with the accompanied transformer to reduce or increase the voltage. I have a lamp from Germany and it works here in the US. It’s just dim haha.
Bulky and inflexible transformers have been superceded in many power supplies by electronically controlled samplers which wait until the a.c. voltage has risen or fallen by the required amount. That’s how phone chargers etc are nothing like as heavy as they used to be.
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