We love to travel, and 2020 was supposed to be a big travel year for us. Like the rest of you, that hasn't happened.
We're still dreaming about travel, reading about new destinations, and making (tentative) plans for the future. We hope all of you are well and staying safe... and that you find some inspiration here for YOUR future travels.
With vaccines arriving, let's hope we can be traveling again in 2021!
“I
read your story on dual voltage appliances like you asked me to...
Yea... you can tell my story.
And next trip I go on,
I’ll take this
advice!” Deb
We traveled with our friend, Deb, before dual voltage appliances were as available as they are today.
The story she's referring to is recounted below…
But first let's get to the point…
Appliances like electric shavers and curling irons that operate on any voltage...
...and multi-voltage computers...
...are all are great for travel…
…because all you need is the correct adaptor plug (or plugs) for the country that you are going to visit.
A brief lesson here…
Elsewhere, we give you a little more information on electricity worldwide if you want that too.
Here
what we're talking about are appliances and electronic devices that are
designed to operate on voltage anywhere between 110 and 240 volts
without damage.
If you do NOT have a dual voltage appliance, and if you use that device with the wrong current… it will either not work properly… or it might burn out!
Yep, pretty much. You should be able to use dual voltage appliances almost any where in the world…
…And the beauty of it is they eliminate the need for voltage converters or transformers.
Look on the box when you buy it, or on the appliance itself. Somewhere on that electronic gizmo or it's container, it probably tells you what the electrical input requirements are....
Look on the back, or the bottom, or the handle….
My curling iron, for instance, is stamped on the handle 120V/240V telling me it's OK to use anywhere.
Mark's electric shaver, on the other hand, is not marked...
But the box said it was when he bought this new one, and it is described as dual voltage in the "Instructions and Care" booklet that came with it.
Some
accommodate automatically... my curling iron does. On other appliances
you may need to flip a switch. Mark needed to change the setting on
his old razor. His new one also accommodates automatically.
Either way, you won't need that transformer/converter but you may still need an adapter so the plug will fit the electrical outlet in the country you're visiting.
If you need to change the settings on yours, you might want to change that setting as you pack so you don't forget to change it once you arrive.
If your shaver or curling iron or other appliance or device isn't dual voltage, you'll probably need a voltage transformer or converter so it will work. ...And so you won't burn it up or worse... like blow a fuse in your Bed and Breakfast or something. (We talked to friends where that happened.)
Most modern electronic equipment like laptops, iPads, and camera battery chargers are multi-voltage, meaning they will operate on voltages ranging from 110-240 volts.
So you will be OK with just an adaptor so they'll fit into the socket... You can go ahead and charge your computers, tablets, cameras, and camera batteries and phones.
We get into explaining adaptors and converters too… but for now, just remember that plugs and electrical sockets around the world come in a variety of configurations. (We'll tell you about the different spelling too!)
Your U.S. plug will not fit into a European electrical outlet or socket. It works the other way too… European plugs need an adapter to fit U.S. electrical outlets.
We carry a collection of adaptor plugs, but when we got to Australia, we had to find a store that sold electronics so we could get an adaptor that worked there. So don't worry... even if you don't have the right adaptor before you travel, you can always get one there.
When we were traveling with Deb in France, I told her about my scheme. At a little farmhouse gite we stayed in, she tried my technique too... only she didn't unplug her curling iron as soon as she should have...
She didn't burn up her curling iron, but you should have seen how she fried her hair.... and it was in the FRONT!!!! It took her weeks to grow it out.
The good news is we're still good friends, and we laugh about that story often. The moral to that story is get an appliance with dual voltage or use a voltage converter!
Look for dual voltage appliances when you're preparing for your trip. That way you won't have to buy and pack a converter or transformer.... just pack your adaptors and you'll be ready electronically anywhere in the world.
Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! Judy and Mark
Curious about what else we've written about? Search our site for a destination or travel tip.
But... We'd love to have you share this page or comment on it…
Thanks, Judy and Mark
Go to International Travel Tips l Europe Travel Tips
Hotel and B&B Tips l Packing Lists and Tips
Go from Dual Voltage Appliances to MouseToursTravels Home Page
The New Year is here...
And we're ready to put 2020 behind us.
What are your resolutions? To lose weight? To Exercise more?
We're hoping for an end to this virus and the travel restrictions so...
Why not a FUN resolution!
Resolve to TRAVEL!
It's a good time to plan your travels...
We have lists to help....
Custom Tour Planning List
Destination stories....
Europe Travel Tips
Africa Dream List
See America
Travel Planning
International Travel Planning Tips
Guidebooks can help you plan
Don't Forget Valentine's Day
Romantic Weekends
What About Your Passport?
Time to get one... or renew...
Answers about Passports and Visas
Dreaming of Warm Weather or Snow?
Packing for a Tropical Vacation
Cold Weather Packing List
…Or just make a resolution to explore more pages here and get ideas for travel destinations and how to get there.
NOW is the time to start planning for a great trip this year.
Search MouseToursTravels
Travel questions or destination info?
Find our answers faster...
We want you to feel comfortable out in the world and on our pages - so surf away in your own language...
Our 2020 travels were slim. COVID kept us home too. One trip to the Three Guyanas, but dreaming of travel next year.
Love discovering less touristed regions? The three Guyanas are tucked up in the north east corner of South America that doesn’t get much attention.
On our 2019 travels, it was independent travel, a custom tour and a group tour. All work beautifully... just depends on where you’re going and what you want.
Related Pages
on
Packing Tips
Packing Basics
Carry-on-Packing Tips
What Is Carry-On Size?
What Do Airlines Call A Personal Item
What We Recommend... Travel Light!
Packing Right
Why Put Identity Tags On Luggage?
Tips to Prevent Lost Luggage
Packing For Road Trips
Packing Lists
Basic Packing List
Tropical Vacation Packing List
Cold Weather Packing List
Mixed Weather Packing List
Luggage
Packing Methods: Fold or Roll It?
Travel Luggage Recommendations
Travel Luggage Options
Packing for Airport Security
Security Packing Tips
Travel Security Alert Packing Guide
How to Pack That Plastic Bag?
Requirements for That Plastic Bag?
Packing Cosmetics for Today's Security
Electronics
Electricity Worldwide - What To Know
Dual Voltage Appliances
Adaptors and Converters
Electronics for Travel - IF You Use It
Keep In Touch - Not Just Postcards!
GPS Satellite Messenger - Let Friends Know Where You Are
Packing Medication
Packing Medications
Pack Enough Medication
How To Pack Pills
"Your carry-on packing tips helped me so much. I never thought I could pack light enough, but with your packing tips and your packing lists, I CAN do it. I thank you, and my husband thanks you!"
--Debbie, Florida
Like Our Site Top Left
Like Our Fanpage Below
Thank You!
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Did it help with your travel planning and preparation? Eager to leave on that next vacation? Please leave your tips or comments in the box below.