This article is tourism topic.
Yellow: 100-127 V, 50 Hz
Red: 100-127 V, 60 Hz
Blue: 220-240 V, 50 Hz
Green: 220-240 V, 60 Hz
Electrical systems are different on different continents. In some countries the voltage of the socket is 110-120 V, in others 220-240 V. In some countries the mains frequency is 50 Hz, in others 60 Hz. The plugs are also incompatible. Before the trip, it is advisable to make preparations so that the desired equipment can also be used at the destination.
Understand
Voltage and frequency
First, look at the markings on the device. If the device reads "100-240 V, 50/60 Hz", it works all over the world and only needs an adapter (adapter), which can be bought in a department store for a couple of euros.
There are basically two different electrical systems in the world:
- 110-120 V, 60 Hz (North and Central America, western Japan)
- 220-240 V, 50 Hz (the rest of the world, with some exceptions)
In some parts Japan, Philippines mixed Brazil can find 110-120 V 50 Hz and 220-240 V 60 Hz systems.
If the same (or nearly the same) voltage and frequency is used at the destination, only an adapter is needed - if so. 230 V devices sold in Finland can be safely used in a 220 or 240 volt network. If the voltage instead is not the same, it is needed transformer or switch mode power supply.
 Warning: If a device designed for a higher voltage (220-240 V) is connected to a lower voltage network (110-120V), it will either operate at a quarter of the power or not at all. Instead, it is very dangerous to connect a low voltage device to a higher voltage network; the device draws twice as much power from the mains, the power quadruples and is immediately converted into heat, which destroys the device and possibly catches fire. |
Adapters
In any case, if the plugs are different, an adapter is required between the socket and the plug. For example In the United Kingdom different plugs are used, although the voltage is the same as in Finland.
The three most commonly used plug types are:
- "American" (type A) plug, with two narrow pins.
- "European" (type C) plug, with two round pins.
- "British" (type G) plug with three square pins.
About 90% of the world’s outlets are these. The exceptions are South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and part China, using type I plugs with two oblique pins.
In many developing countries, the type of outlet may not indicate voltage; in an American type socket, the voltage may well be e.g. 220 V.
"American" A-type plug with two vertical pins.
"European" C-type plug with round pins (earthed German version).
"British" G-type plug with three rectangular pins.
"Australian" Type I plug with two oblique pins and one vertical pin.
Transformer or converter?
If the device operates at a higher voltage than is available from the outlet (a typical situation when using European devices in North America), a transformer is required.
From a European perspective, a much rarer situation is one that requires a lower voltage than what an outlet provides. In this case, you can also use a converter. This situation occurs mainly when using a device purchased elsewhere. Besides, however, the converter can only be used on devices without electronics and only for an hour or two at a time.
Transformers
- When using the transformer, make sure that it is connected correctly. The "reverse connected" transformer changes the voltage in the opposite direction.
- Make sure that the power (W) of the transformer is sufficient: the power figure should be at least 10% higher than the device; an overloaded transformer can heat up and even catch fire. Sometimes the power of a transformer is expressed by current. Power (W) = current (A) * voltage (V).
- Read the operating instructions carefully and, if necessary, consult a friend with experience in electrical engineering.
Frequency (Hz)
The frequency of the mains is only relevant in practice if the use of an AC motor or an electric clock device is planned. If you need the right frequency AC power, the easiest solution for the average user is to buy a DC-AC converter for car use and power it with a battery.
Uneven mains power
In many developing countries, the electricity grid is not as flat as in industrialized countries, and equipment protection may be necessary.
The most common dangers are power spikes, which can suddenly destroy the connected devices. These are familiar in the context of lightning strikes, but they also occur in developing countries power outages when the electricity is turned on again. The easiest and cheapest protection measure is to disconnect the equipment from the mains during an outage and to reconnect it only five minutes after the electricity has started to come back on.
Occurs in some regions (especially developing countries) intermittent voltage drops, for example in a 240 volt plug the voltage can be 200 volts or even lower. Such a phenomenon usually occurs far from the power plant and is due to the resistance of the power lines. This has an effect especially on fluorescent tubes and refrigeration equipment, which can go out completely.
Equipment
When buying new equipment, check the operating voltage. For example, a dual-voltage hair dryer costs little more than “regular” and all you need on the go is an adapter.
laptops
Virtually all "laptops" operate at both 110-120 and 220-240 volts, however, check for safety. If you have smaller media devices with you, they can usually be charged via the USB port, eliminating the need for separate chargers.
Radios
A radio purchased in one country will work quite certainly in other countries as well. When buying a radio with a digital tuner from the USA, you should know that only odd frequencies (88.1, 88.3, 100.1, etc.) are used there and that receiving other channels can be difficult. The frequency distribution of the center wave channels is also different. The analog tuner does not have this problem. A more difficult problem is in Japan and the countries of the former Soviet Union, where the FM band runs from 76 MHz to 90 MHz (in Finland and elsewhere it is 87.5-108 MHz).
Mobile phones and digital cameras
The same chargers normally operate in both 110 and 240 volt ranges, however with the adapter. However, the mobile phone itself may not be usable everywhere because different frequencies are used on different continents. Ordinary mobile phones work all over Europe and in non-European countries that use the same frequencies. Tri-band and quad-band phones also work in the United States, for example. This also means that a mobile phone purchased abroad may not work in Finland.
Batteries
Battery sizes and voltages are virtually the same all over the world. However, in some countries it is difficult to get good quality batteries. When using cheaper batteries, remove them from the device as soon as they run out to prevent acid leakage.
Precautionary
Generators
In countries where the electrical system and network are rudimentary, generators are often used. Not all generators produce high quality and even electricity and therefore the equipment connected to it can be damaged. Some generators are "tuned" to give more power, but they should not be used under any circumstances.
A couple of good rule of thumb are fuel and RPM. A good generator is diesel powered and has a speed of 1500 rpm (50 Hz) or 1800 rpm (60 Hz).
Lamps
If you buy a lamp from abroad, you may have to have it repaired by an electrician in order for it to work in Finland. There are also differences in lamp bases between countries.
Electric motors
Appliances with an electric motor such as refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, etc. are often frequency sensitive. Even if you use a transformer, the frequency difference can lead to motor breakdown. The risk increases depending on how big the engine is. For example, don’t bring a vacuum cleaner from the US to Europe - it’s almost certain it won’t work the way you want it to.
Shavers
Hotel bathrooms often have an outlet specially designed for razors, to which it is possible to connect devices of several different plug models. It is often also possible to connect a mobile phone charger to these. Many (but not all) razors operate on two voltages and some can also be charged at 12 volts DC (e.g. in a car).
Hair dryers and other heat generators
You have to be really careful with these; if you connect a 100 volt device to a 240 volt system, the heat output will increase almost sixfold!
A 100 volt hair dryer in a Finnish socket can even catch fire in your hand, but at least burn a fuse when using the full power setting. The same power increase also applies to plug-in heating pads, blankets, sheets, etc. These are likely to ignite a fire if the heating situation has been running unattended for a long time.
Conversely, from 240 volts to 100 volts, the device operates at about one-sixth of power or no power at all.
Most hotels have a hairdryer in the bathroom. The alternative is to buy a new one on the spot. Some hair dryers have a switch that makes it work in both electrical systems.
Peal
Electric Clock Devices are always voltage sensitive and in addition, many cheap clock radios use the mains frequency to keep time. For example, a clock radio purchased in North America leaves ten minutes per hour in Europe, with a frequency one-sixth lower!
Video systems
Televisions, many radios, video and DVD devices, and video cassettes often only work on the continent where you buy it; for example, in a North American television system, 30 frames per second are transmitted, in a European 25 (yes, this too has to do with network frequency). The world's most important television systems are PAL which is used almost all over the world (even in Finland), NTSC used in North and South America and East Asia and SECAM used in parts of France, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. When buying any video or TV equipment from abroad and especially from outside Europe, make sure it is PAL compatible, otherwise you will have no joy when you come home.
If you use your own TV set abroad (for example, a TV installed in a caravan), you may have to pay a TV fee for it in the destination country, plus fines.
DVDs and Blu-ray discs are, as many travelers often only realize at home, area-protected. This means that a record bought from Asia, for example, does not work in Finland. The solution is either to buy a DVD player without a region code or to watch the disc on a computer with a suitable program.
Stay safe
The maximum of an electrical engineer: the smoke that rises from a device or component is the spirit it needs to function. In other words, if the device has become smoke, it is most often unusable. |
The first time you use the appliance in a "new" voltage system, check that it does not overheat or smoke. This is especially important if you connect a 100-120 volt device purchased from the ground to a 220-240 volt plug. If something like this happens, turn off the power immediately, if possible from the main switch. The appliance is probably burning hot, and the plug may be. If any parts are melted you may get an electric shock. Some devices have a built-in fuse, but do not rely on them.
In developing countries, power outages often occur, and sometimes power is lost almost simultaneously when you turn on a device. To be sure, check your neighbors for power before you start looking for an electrical cabinet or examining the appliance.