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What
is a Step Down Voltage Converter?
A
voltage converter that you use in a 200 - 240 Volt country to power something
from a 100 - 120 Volt country. For example, to use an appliance from the
USA in the
UK. So the 200 - 240
Voltage is stepped down to 100 -120 Volts.
What is a Step
Up Voltage Converter?
A
voltage converter that you use in a 100 - 120 Volt country to power something
from a 200 - 240 Volt country. For example, to use an appliance from the
UK in the
USA. So the 100 - 120
Voltage is stepped up to 200 -240 Volts.
Why Are There So
Many Different Step Up and Step Down Voltage Converters?
Converting
the voltage is only a part of the process. You also have to take the wattage
into account. The wattage is a measure of the amount of electricity you
are using (when you pay your electricity bill you are paying for the
Watts you use, not the
volts). Smaller, cheaper converters can handle low wattage items only, such as
battery chargers and mobile phone chargers. Larger, more expensive, converters
can handle appliances that use more electricity.
How Do I Tell
The Wattage I Need?
Often
it will state the wattage on the appliance, or in the instructions. If it does
not state the wattage, it usually does state the Amps. You can work out the
wattage by multiplying the Amps by the Volts. So a 2 Amp appliance from the
US that you would like
to use in the
UK will use 240 Watts
(2 x 120).
Remember though that the ratings on the volateg converters are the absolute maximum that they can manage, it is a bad idea to have them working at or near their maximum for long periods of time. For long term use you need to double or treble the converter size.
Anything Else?
Some products, such as TVs, surge when switched on. A TV may only use 70 Watts while running, but switching it on may cause a surge of 500 Watts or more. The converter needs to take account of the surge. Beware of items that produce heat, especially hair straighteners. Straighteners may only use 40 Watts when they are up to temperature, but they often use 1000 Watts plus in getting up to temperature.
What
Is A Power Inverter?
A Power
Inverter allows you to use a 12V or 24V vehicle battery to power an AC (mains
appliance). They are often used by caravanners, truckers and people who live on
boats to power appliances such as TVs, power tools and computers.
How
Do I Choose the Correct AC/DC Adapter?
There are two factors at work here. The output voltage, on all our universal
AC/DC adapters the output voltage is selectable. You need to check which
voltage your appliance needs and set the voltage on the adapter before plugging
anything in. The other factor is the power (usually measured in Milliamps or
mAs). You have to make sure that the adapter can manages as many mA as you need
or more. More is OK, but less is not.
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