Why do you need to bring a travel adapter and a travel voltage converter when traveling abroad?

I. Voltages in Different Countries

Generally speaking, there are basically two types of voltages used for indoor electricity in countries around the world:

They are respectively in the range of 100V - 130V and 220V - 240V.

Common countries using different voltage types:

• 100V: Japan, South Korea;
• 110V - 130V: Taiwan (China), the United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Cuba, Lebanon and other countries;
• 220V - 230V: China, Hong Kong (200V), the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, India, Singapore, Thailand, the Netherlands, Spain, Greece, Austria, the Philippines, Norway and other countries.

Why doesn't China use 110-volt alternating current like the United States? It seems that a lower voltage would be a bit safer.

In 1879, Edison produced a carbon-filament incandescent lamp with relatively good performance. At that time, the incandescent lamp worked well under a 110-volt direct current voltage. Edison believed that this was a safe and economical voltage for power distribution.

However, later, another voltage level - 220 volts - was also recommended for use in the low-voltage field. After the two geniuses, Edison and Tesla, had a fierce argument over the issue of "which is stronger, direct current or alternating current", the United States gradually began to widely adopt 110-volt alternating current. Of course, in the development process of the power system in the United States, there were actually many voltage types, but 110 volts and 220 volts were the main ones, and during the development process, 110 volts gradually prevailed.

With the progress of electrical appliances and the development of transmission means nowadays, there is actually no difference in the use of 110-volt and 220-volt voltages.

So, why didn't China adopt 110-volt alternating current voltage?

Because after the United States adopted 110-volt alternating current voltage, Europe thought that 110 volts was too low and the loss during transmission was a bit large (at that time, transformation and high-voltage transmission were not very common yet), and it was not powerful enough to drive some electrical appliances. So, 220 volts was vigorously promoted and was inherited by most countries later.

As we all know, in old China, the productivity was low and the economy was poor. It was certainly good to be able to reduce losses and the consumption of metals like copper. So, 220 volts was easily accepted by power supply operators. In 1890 (the 16th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty), Shanghai began to use incandescent lamps with a voltage of 100 volts. In 1901 (the 27th year of the Guangxu reign), the Shanghai International Settlement began to supply electricity day and night, and the voltage was changed to 200 volts.

On September 12, 1930, the Nationalist Government announced China's first voltage and frequency standard in the form of a decree of the Construction Commission, stipulating that 220 volts and 50 hertz would be the standard voltage and standard frequency in China.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, everything was waiting to be rebuilt. It was certainly good to be able to save something. Therefore, the "rated voltage and frequency standards" and "power supply and consumption rules" formulated many times all continued to use 220 volts as the standard.

So, is 110-volt electricity a bit safer than 220-volt electricity?

In principle, the lower the voltage, the higher the safety naturally. Some people have calculated that in terms of the time it takes to cause pathophysiological reactions or even fatal harm to the human body, the time required for 110 volts is indeed longer than that for 220 volts, with a difference of about 100 milliseconds... But in fact, both 110 volts and 220 volts are far beyond the range of safe voltage. Besides, when getting an electric shock, what really determines the safety is the magnitude of the current passing through. So whether danger occurs depends more on the environment of getting an electric shock.

Another question is: Will some commonly used electrical appliances have problems when used abroad due to voltage differences?

Ordinary electrical appliances belonging to the same voltage system can generally be used abroad without voltage problems, because most electrical appliances have a voltage fluctuation range of 20%. For example, for electric stoves, electric rice cookers, etc., because even in China, the voltage can sometimes reach up to 250 volts. So, a voltage of 230 volts just makes them heat up faster and there is not much of a problem.

For those electrical appliances with strict voltage requirements and relatively high prices, even if they belong to the same voltage system, if the voltage is different, it is recommended to use a power converter to avoid burning out the electrical appliances or affecting their service life.

If high-voltage electrical appliances are taken to a low-voltage country, for example, if 220-volt electrical appliances used in China are taken to the 110-volt environment in the United States, generally they cannot be used. Even if they can be used reluctantly, they often work with great difficulty and their functions are greatly reduced.

However, in the context of globalization, some international enterprises may have noticed the differences in voltages among different countries. Therefore, many electrical appliances they design are voltage-adaptable themselves, that is, they can be suitable for voltages ranging from 110 volts to 240 volts. For example, the voltage fluctuation range of Haier color TVs is marked as: alternating current 90 - 260 volts, 50 hertz, so they can be used normally under voltages from 90 to 260 volts. Of course, if you travel abroad frequently, it is recommended that you bring travel conversion plugs and travel transformers with you.

II. Sockets and Plugs in Some Countries

China

The standard plug in China is also used in Australia. It is characterized by three flat pins.

South Korea

The voltage in South Korea is generally 220V. Generally, hotels can provide both 220V and 110V power sources. Basically, household electrical appliances from China can be used normally. However, the sockets in South Korea belong to German standard sockets, which are two-round-pin plugs. You need to buy German standard conversion plugs.

The United States

The voltage in the United States is 120 volts, 60Hz. The standard plug in the United States is used in the United States, Canada, Mexico and other countries. It is characterized by one round pin and two flat pins.

Europe

The European standard plug is used in Germany, Denmark, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and South Korea and other countries. It is characterized by two round pins. The civil power supply voltage in Germany is 220V ± 10%, 50Hz, the same as that in China. When purchasing, you can also say that you want to buy a "German standard" conversion plug.

The United Kingdom

The standard plug in the United Kingdom is used in the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, New Zealand and other countries and Hong Kong (China). It is characterized by three square pins. In addition, the United Kingdom also has two-pin sockets, which are generally used for electric razors. The voltage is relatively low and not suitable for Chinese electrical appliances. There are many plug standards in European countries, such as the Italian standard, the Swiss standard and so on.

South Africa

The standard plug in South Africa is mainly used in South Africa. It is characterized by three round pins. The voltage is the same as that in China, so many electrical appliances can be used.

In fact, with the advancement of technology, there are many products that can solve the problem of different national voltage plugs during travel, such as DOACE's Travel Converter. Most of them are compact and lightweight, with built-in plugs for several countries and regions, as well as transformer function. With one product, they can be used in 200+countries, which is very convenient. If you are someone who needs to travel abroad, then I strongly recommend you to give it a try.