So I got an adapter for going abroad, but do I need a converter?

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IronBeaver

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#1 IronBeaver
Member since 2009 • 1986 Posts

I am going abroad for 6 months, and I got the adapter, which is just so the thing sticks into the wall...But do I still have to worry about voltage? My laptops charger says 110-240 on the back, as well as my phone charger. Some people tell me "yeah just flip the switch on your cable" but there are no switches. Will my stuff be damaged?

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ferrari2001

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#2 ferrari2001
Member since 2008 • 17772 Posts
I doubt it'll cause any serious harm. House wires are only designed to carry so much voltage, even houses overseas. You shouldn't have to worry about to much power overloading your things. Lucky laptops come with the power brick which ensures that you won't have an overload just in case. So long as you have the adapter you should be fine.
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TheShadowLord07

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#3 TheShadowLord07
Member since 2006 • 23083 Posts

you will be fine. im using my laptop here that i got the the US and there have been no problems so far

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deactivated-5e97585ea928c

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#4 deactivated-5e97585ea928c
Member since 2006 • 8521 Posts
Isn't that part of what the adapter would do?
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binpink

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#5 binpink
Member since 2009 • 9163 Posts

I'd get a converter to be safe. We're travelling soon and got a whole set with both adapter and converter in it. Better to be safe than sorry, especially since that whole 'flip the switch' thing gets confusing when your stuff doesn't have a switch.

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IronBeaver

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#6 IronBeaver
Member since 2009 • 1986 Posts

Somehow I failed to notice until now, but there is a sticker on the adapter that says to only use it with devices with switches. That the onees that just claim to have a voltage range will get messed up....now I am scarred.

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WhiteKnight77

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#7 WhiteKnight77
Member since 2003 • 12605 Posts

A laptop's power brick takes whatever voltage that is supplied and steps it down to what they laptop actually uses. You will have no problem running your laptop on a 240 volt power grid as in Europe even though you use it with 110V here in the US. The same goes for phone chargers, but remember, you might be roaming while traveling overseas and any calls will be charged at the higher roaming rates. I used my laptop in The Netherlands for 3 months with no problems using just an adapter. I then took it to England, Scotland and Ireland for 2 weeks and just used adapters there. Just make sure you get grounded adapters.

If you are taking something that does not have a switch or a power brick (like a curling iron), you will need a converter.

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Serraph105

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#8 Serraph105
Member since 2007 • 36092 Posts

question has already been answered so I'll just say that I once studied abroad [spoiler] or two :P [/spoiler]

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WhiteKnight77

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#9 WhiteKnight77
Member since 2003 • 12605 Posts

question has already been answered so I'll just say that I once studied abroad [spoiler] or two :P [/spoiler]

Serraph105

Did they have curves in the right places?