Converter
(100W)
£16.46Details
Voltage Converters / Transformers
Converter
£16.46DetailsCompact
(100W)
Out of stock
DetailsAdaptor / Transformer
(200W)
£39.99DetailsStep Up / Down Transformer
(500W)
£44.99DetailsStep Up / Down Transformer
(1000W)
£68.99DetailsStep Up / Down Transformer
(2000W)
£68.99DetailsStep Up / Down Transformer
(3000W)
Out of stock
Details
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Transformers & Voltage Converters
So you've found yourself a suitable travel adaptor that will allow you to plug all of your devices into the sockets in the country that you are about to visit - job done right? Unfortunately life's not quite that simple. Travel adaptors will allow you to physically plug your devices into a socket that it was not designed to fit. Useful, but that's all it does - travel adaptors do not change the voltage or frequency of the mains supply, at least the vast majority don't.
In the UK the mains supply is specified as 230 V +10% / - 6% and your electrical devices will probably function quite happily on a voltage anywhere in the range 220 - 250V. If you are travelling abroad and the local mains supply is in the range 100 - 127V then you will need to check if the devices that you want to take with you are compatible or not. Take a laptop as an example, they are designed for portability and will often be marked (maybe on the power supply) 100 - 240V 50/60Hz. The same is often true of phone chargers, shavers and the like. If the devices that you want to take are not specifically marked like this then you can be pretty sure that they are not compatible and you will need to do something about it.
If you plug a European hairdryer (designed to work on 230V) into a lower voltage US socket (120V) it is unlikely to work well, if at all, and you may damage it as well. If you plug an American hairdryer (designed to work on 120V) into a higher voltage European socket (230V) you can expect fireworks - very dangerous and not recommended.
If you need to take devices to an area where the mains supply is 100 - 127V you will need to get a step up transformer / converter to power any devices that are not fully compatible. Although these two terms are often used interchangably there are some important differences that you need to understand in order to ensure that you end up taking the right kit.
To check local voltages around the world you can look at our voltage map of the world. Alternatively we have more detailed informaion if you search by country.
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Voltage Converters vs Transformers
These pieces of equipment "convert" voltage in different ways which in turn affects (amongst other things) what type of devices you can plug into them. Mains electricity is a sine wave - on a 230V supply the voltage will rise smoothly from 0 - 230V then drop to negative 230V before rising back to 0V. This is one cycle of the sine wave which happens 50 times per second so the supply frequency is 50Hz.
In order for a transformer to change a 230V supply into 120V it reduces the amplitude of the sine wave by roughly half but it still remains a true sine wave. A voltage converter on the other hand effectively "chops" the peaks of the sine wave off. That results in a chopped wave that approximates 120V.
Electronic devices that have circuits and chips such as TVs, computers, chargers etc. require a power supply that is a true sine wave so you have to use a transformer to power them. Simple electric devices such as heaters and simple motors are more tolerant and can be run on the chopped waveform so you can use either a converter or a transformer.
Voltage Converters
British travellers may find a voltage converter from 110V to 240V will be useful if visiting Central & North America which use 110V. Europe, Asia, South America and most of the rest of the world uses 220V - 250V so no converter is likely to be needed.
Features:
- Usually cheaper
- Usually lighter as they are solid state (a 500w converter should weigh less than 0.5kg / 1lb)
- Can only power simple electric devices not electronics
- Cannot be used continuously for extended periods of time (more than about 3 hours)
You can pick up low powered (100W) converters very cheaply and they often take up no more space than a plug adaptor. When choosing a voltage converter however it is generally recommended to get one that is rated at 2 - 3 times the wattage of the appliance that you want to plug into it. That means that if you have a device that says it is 35w you should get a 100w converter to have a safe margin.
A word of caution: Many devices draw more power on start up than in normal use (see what we found out about hair straighteners) and you need to accomodate this. Converters are often a good choice for the traveller with one or two low powered electical devices that are not dual voltage.
Not sure if you need a voltage converter? Search by country
Transformers
British travellers may find a step up transformer from 110V to 240V could be useful if electronic devices (not just for charging phones / tablets etc) or medical quipment need to be powered and you are visiting Central & North America which use 110V. Europe, Asia, South America and most of the rest of the world uses 220V - 250V so no transformer is unlikely to be needed.
Features:
- Can power both electric and electronic devices
- Can be used continuously for extended periods
- The power supply of choice for critical equipment eg medical devices
- More expensive than converters
- Bulky and heavy (a 1000w transformer can weigh 7 - 10kg / 15 - 20lbs)
When choosing a transformer it is necessary to get one that is rated at a wattage that is a minimum of 25% higher than the device that you are going to plug into it. Transformers should run happily for extended periods of time (overnight) at 80% of their rated capacity.
Many devices draw more power on start up than in normal use and you have to accomodate this so always build in as much margin as is practical and you can afford. For this reason it is generally recommended to get one that is rated at 150% or more the wattage of the appliance that you want to plug into it.
High powered transformers are generally not practical for travellers due to their size and weight. They may be the only option however if you have critical pieces of equipment that you absolutely have to take with you such as medical devices.
Not sure if you need a transformer? Search by country
Frequency
AC frequency refers to the number of cycles or times that the current reverses direction in a second. In the USA & Canada the supply frequency is 60 Hz whilst in the UK, Europe and most of the rest of the world it is 50 Hz. Voltage converters and transformers will only change the voltage, not the frequency. There is no practical way of altering the frequency of a supply.
If the country that you are going to operates at 60Hz it makes little practical difference as most travel appliances will run at either frequency. Some items with motors, such as hairdryers and some clocks will run at a slightly different speed than intended but it is not likely to be particularly problematic.
Check your device - it may say 50/60 Hz which indicates that it is compatible with either frequency. If you are in doubt or have critical or expensive equipment check with the manufacturer first as some equipment may be damaged by running on an incorrect frequency.
Practical Information
European Shaver Sockets
It is quite common to find these 110 / 220V shaver outlets in hotel bathrooms across Europe.
They are designed for low power devices such as shavers only (less than 15 watts). Do not plug in high powered accessories such as hair dryers as you will trip the circuit breaker and may damage the appliance.
You should never plug any voltage converter or transformer into these outlets.
Surge Protectors / UPS
Surge protectors and UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) deisgned for use in the UK should not be used in countries with 100 - 127V mains supply. The network is set up differently and you may damage your equipment even when using a voltage converter or transformer.
This means that domestic power strips with integral surge protection should not be used with an incompatible mains supply. Instead you should purchase a suitable surge protected adaptor designed for the job if required. Where these are available we have specific recommendations if you search by country.
Japan
Japan operates on 100V which is lower than most countries. If you need to take a transformer with you be careful to check that it is capable of stepping up from 100V.
If you need a specialist 100V transformer try these:
- 100V Step Up / Down Converter (80W) (for using Japanese devices in the UK or UK devices in Japan - note: socket is US / Euro not UK).
Frequently Asked Questions
About Voltage Converters / Transformers
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What is a voltage converter?
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A voltage or power converter is a compact and economical device that converts the electrical output of a socket by either increasing or decreasing its voltage. This is useful for British travellers as it can provide a 230V supply from a 120V socket. Due to the way in which they work (essentially providing a chopped DC output) they are suited to simple electric devices and are not generally suitable for powering most electronic items such as desktop computers.
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What is a step up transformer?
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A step up transformer converts a 120V socket to a 230V supply that can be used to power British devices. As they provide true AC output they can be used to power electronic items as well as basic electric ones. They are heavy, bulky and expensive in comparison to voltage converters however so are generally not appropriate for travellers unless critical equipment (such as medical) needs to be powered.
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How do I use a voltage converter / transformer?
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Just plug the voltage converter or transformer into a wall socket and then plug your device into the converter / transformer. Transformers may have a selector switch or dedicated sockets for different voltage outputs.
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Do I need a voltage converter for Europe?
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No, the EU supply is generally 230 V 50 Hz which is compatible with all UK appliances.
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Do I need a voltage converter for {insert country}?
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Use our search by country form on this page to check the local voltage in your destination and see if you need a voltage converter or transformer.
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Do I need a voltage converter to charge my phone abroad?
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No, you may need to select a plug adaptor with onboard USB or USB-C and the appropriate charging cable. USB charging ports usually work with input voltages of 100V - 250V so a voltage converter is not normally required specifically for charging your phone. If you are using a dedicated phone charger (as opposed to USB) you will need to check for voltage compatibility.
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Can you take a voltage converter on a plane?
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Yes, voltage converters and transformers can safely be taken in hand luggage or checked bags (due to their weight transformers may need to go in checked baggage). They do not contain batteries so present no danger.
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