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Preparing for Your Trip to Europe-Electronics Safety
Most people are aware that the European electrical outlets are different than those in the US. This requires a plug adapter for most of your electronics. However, this is not the only consideration. You see, European electricity's output is twice that of the United States, and even with a plug adapter you can cause a small fire or at least the melting of your electronics without a transformer or wattage converter.
Additionally, not all European countries require the same plug adapters. You will need to research the country that you are visiting and make sure that you purchase the plug adapter for that country. If you will be visiting more than one country and require more than one type of plug adapter, you should keep these plug adapters in separate bags and label them with the country that you will use them in. This will help you to lessen confusion when you actually arrive, and help you avoid a mistake that might cause your electronics, or yourself, to fry with the voltage of the electrical outlet.
To determine if your electronics need a transformer or just a plug adapter, you should check the back of the power brick or the user's manual. This should give you information about the electronics such as what wattage and voltage the electronics item can handle. If the electronics item can only handle a voltage of 110, you will need a transformer in addition to the plug adapter.
Most laptops sense and adjust to the voltage coming through the lap top, and therefore do not require a transmitter. Many electrical items such as digital camera and mobile phone chargers are designed to work in any country and do not require a transformer. However, you should check the user manual for all of your electronics before packing them for your European trip.
Some electronics are better left at home. Hair dryers, for instance, often melt from the voltage of European outlets even with a converter and plug adapter. For these electrical items, you may think about leaving them at home and purchasing new ones in the European country you will be visiting.
In addition to safety, you should also consider that there are fewer electrical outlets in European hotels than in the United States. Electricity is much more expensive in Europe, and to minimize your expenses and the chance of overloading an outlet you should take with you only those electronics and electrical items that are absolutely necessary for your trip. If you can shave with razors instead of your electrical razor, do so. If you want an alarm, use the one on your mobile phone or request a wake up call from the hotel, and leave your alarm clock at home.
As should be the case with all items that you pack for your European travels, you should go through your electronics and other items that require electricity item by item to make sure that you really need that item. You should also check user manuals and make sure that you have all of the converters and plug adapters necessary before you leave for your trip. This will ensure a safe, frustration free vacation in Europe.
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