How to choose a suitable international travel transformer to ensure your overseas travel is foolproof?
Are you preparing for traveling, working, or studying abroad? You may have read a lot of guides, prepared a lot of things, and learned in advance about how to apply for a visa in the destination country, what transportation to use, what customs and habits there are, and even what to bring in your luggage. You have made an extremely detailed list, but there is one thing that may not have been thought of, which is that the voltage and plug in other countries may be different from those in China. It's not your fault for being careless, after all, we don't usually come into contact with these things. Many times, some people ask us how to choose a suitable travel transformer? I think as someone who has been focusing on traveling abroad for many years, it is necessary to provide a tutorial on how to choose a transformer for international travel, which will be convenient for everyone.
Step 1: Determine the voltage and plug of the country you are going to
Generally speaking, there are two types of voltage used for indoor electricity in countries around the world: 100V to 130V and 220 to 240V. There are many shapes of plugs, from the two flat pins in the United States and Canada to the two cylindrical pins in mainland Europe, or the cross shaped pins in the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as the flat eight shaped pins in Australia. I will show you the differences between different countries through the following table and pictures:
| Country | Voltage (V) | Frequency (Hz) | Plug Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 120 | 60 | A, B |
| Canada | 120/240 | 60 | A, B |
| United Kingdom | 230 | 50 | G |
| Germany | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| France | 230 | 50 | C, E |
| Australia | 230 | 50 | I |
| China | 220 | 50 | A, C, I |
| Japan | 100/200 | 50/60 | A, B |
| India | 230 | 50 | C, D, M |
| Italy | 230 | 50 | C, F, L |
Step 2: Determine the equipment to be brought and start preliminary screening of travel converters
If you are going to common tourist countries such as Europe and Africa, our international travel transformers are all supported. If you are using a dual voltage device, you can only bring one conversion plug, such as PT-ACe3. I will discuss the difference between dual voltage and single voltage devices in the following article.
However, I suggest buying a universal travel transformer with voltage conversion function, as not all the devices you bring can be dual voltage, such as your hair dryer or electric toothbrush. If you are carrying a device with high power, then I recommend buying the DOACE HC-X11 2200W Voltage Converter and Adapter, because it is our highest power international travel transformer. As you can see, it can drive up to 2200W of equipment, which many brands on the market cannot achieve. They often only have a few hundred watts.
If you carry precision and expensive instruments such as laptops, watches, and ventilators, I recommend choosing 100% pure sine wave international travel transformers, such as the DOACE LC-X35 100% pure sine wave 500W travel voltage converter and DOACE LC-X30 100% pure sine wave 350W travel voltage converter. There is not much difference between these two products. The X30 and X35 have a 20% reduction in volume and a 30% reduction in weight, so the X30 has a slightly reduced power support, with a maximum of only 350W. The X35 can reach 500W when using a curling iron as a hair tool and can be used normally. In addition, there is an additional switch on the side of X30 that can control whether this converter is powered on or not.
What are the differences between pure sine wave travel transformers and ordinary travel transformers?
Pure sine wave
- The waveform is smooth and completely consistent with the sine wave of the mains power.
- Suitable for all AC equipment, especially precision instruments that are sensitive to waveforms (such as medical devices, laptops, mobile phones, electronic watches).
Non pure sine wave (modified sine wave/step wave/square wave)
- The waveform is a stepped or square wave with sudden high - frequency harmonics.
- May cause some devices to malfunction, such as motor overheating, electronic device noise, flashing lights, etc.
The key to safe use lies in the black technology of pure sine wave voltage transformation function, rather than blindly preventing short circuits. We have solved this hidden danger from the root, and you can confidently use it for a long time. However, the travel transformers on the market are only equipped with fuses, and if you are not careful, your appliances will short circuit.
What are the differences between single voltage devices and dual voltage devices?
Single voltage equipment
This device can only operate at one voltage (such as 220V or 110V). Examples: vintage hair dryers, domestic refrigerators, washing machines (labeled as "110V 50Hz"). If you want to use this device abroad, it must be paired with a universal transformer, otherwise it will cause a short circuit due to voltage issues.
Dual voltage equipment
As the name suggests, dual voltage devices can simultaneously adapt to two voltage ranges (commonly 100 - 240V wide voltage). Example: New mobile phone charger, laptop, high - end shaver (labeled "INPUT 100~240V"). Dual voltage devices are more worry free because they automatically adjust the voltage, so when traveling abroad, you usually only need to bring a travel adapter plug for one destination to use it normally.
Step 3: Choose a suitable travel transformer based on the maximum power of the equipment
You may bring a variety of devices with you when traveling abroad, such as razors, laptops, and hot water kettles. When choosing a travel transformer, you should choose one that has 20% more power than your device's maximum power to be on the safe side. For example, if your hot water kettle has a maximum power of 1800W, it is best to choose a travel transformer with a power of 2160W or higher.
The most perfect way to choose a travel transformer
Without a doubt, simply ask the brand customer service representative. For example, DOACE is available 24 hours a day. Which country do you need to go to, what equipment do you need to bring, and what precautions do you need to take? No one knows better than our brand which one is more suitable for your overseas travel. We will tailor the travel transformer based on the information you provide.
Will traveling transformers be subject to security restrictions when taken abroad?
We often encounter some customer inquiries, such as: Can travel transformers be brought on airplanes? Will travel transformers be restricted from being taken out of the country?
Generally speaking, airplane security checks and customs inspections do not restrict travel transformers, at least our users have never reported being restricted. Because the travel transformer is only composed of ordinary electronic components and does not contain flammable or explosive materials such as batteries, it is just like your clothes and pants. But we don't know about other brands, because some brands come with batteries, and some brands are made very large and look dangerous. In that case, they should also be able to be taken out, but they will be inspected several times.