American standard sockets where minus. Equipment in the USA. Adapters and possible electronics surprises. On the suitability of consumer electronics and electrical equipment for “foreign power grids”
Adapter for English socket– the most necessary thing in England! Money, reservations, documents - it's all clear. This is necessary on any trip. As for the UK, you will definitely need English socket adapter. Their sockets are absolutely incompatible with ours and with the so-called “euro” ones too.
Of course buy this adapter in England. But, firstly, it still needs to be found there, and secondly, it costs a lot of money there. For example, at Manchester airport I saw adapter for 14 pounds. In Russia, in any radio store you can find a whole set adapters, neatly packed in a beautiful, convenient box at a price of 150 rubles. If suddenly you don’t have them in your store - adapter for English socket easy to find in Chinese online stores.
Without this adapter, you won't be able to charge your phone, camera, or shave.
Voltage in electrical network Great Britain compatible with our electrical appliances and complies with 230 Volts at 50 Hertz.
Adapter for English socket in a convenient box
This is what the adapter itself looks like
The whole set
This is how it works
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European buyers who had to purchase in the US electronic devices or home appliances, they know that American equipment has a power cord plug configuration that is different from what we are used to. There is also a difference in the network voltage range. Thus, the norm for the United States is a voltage of 110 volts, while in the networks of European countries it is 220 volts.
Therefore, people who want to buy a laptop, smartphone, TV or depilator in the USA are afraid that they will not be able to use these devices.
In fact, they can, but for this they will need to take certain steps. Next, we will try to figure out how to determine the voltage level at which the device operates, and how to adapt a North American device to the networks of the European continent.
Currently, almost all manufacturers equip their products with universal network adapters, power supplies and devices for charging gadgets, which allows the equipment to work in any country in the world.
Finding out the voltage range for a particular product is not difficult. To do this, just look:
- instructions for the device (section dedicated to technical parameters);
- specification on the sticker located on the back of the product;
- description of the device model on the manufacturer's website.
Standard network adapters of this type are included with all modern laptops. In the data indicated on the sticker we can see that this device is universal and can operate from 100 to 240 volts (highlighted in red).
Before purchasing a product, the buyer can first find out what the operating range of the corresponding device is. In addition, you can ask the product seller about the shape of the plug and the permissible voltage level. But it should be remembered that almost any device can be adapted to work with a suitable voltage level.
On the sticker of the electric razor charger we see that the device also operates at a voltage of 100-240 volts (highlighted in red)
Equipment that operates at voltages between 100 and 240 volts
After receiving the goods, you must first make sure that this block nutrition is truly universal, because otherwise the risk of spoilage is high electrical appliance.
Standard charger for mobile phone. Information that indicates its versatility is highlighted in red.
Then you need to solve the problem with the cord plug American type, which differs from the European standard. If, when ordering a product, the store does not offer a European-style plug as an option, then there are two ways out of this situation.
Purchasing an adapter
Buy an adapter for an American type cord plug European type networks are the simplest, cheapest and most popular way to resolve the problem. But in in this case one thing to consider important nuance- presence or absence of a grounding contact on the plug.
Mains plug equipped with a grounding pin
If the plug of the purchased device is equipped with a grounding contact, then you should select a universal type adapter. If there is no grounding contact, then a standard adapter is most suitable.
A plug that does not have a grounding pin
Purchasing such an adapter is optimal solution. Such devices cost about two to three dollars and are sold in many electrical stores. However, the difficulty is that they are not always available for sale.
Types of network adapters designed for plugs without grounding function
But this problem is not insurmountable, since such devices can be purchased on radio markets or via the Internet. For example, a large assortment of such products is presented on the American online auction eBay.
Purchasing the correct power cord
An alternative way to solve the problem is to purchase a new power cord equipped with a plug of the appropriate configuration. You can also use a cord from some other device, for example, from a camera or video camera.
The cord can be purchased for $3-5 at any electronics or home improvement store. But it should be noted that the connector of the purchased cord that is connected to the equipment must fully correspond to the connector of the American cord.
Let's consider a fairly common situation: a laptop was purchased in the United States with a plug configuration typical for that country. The gadget's network adapter states that it is universal and can operate at a network voltage of 100-240 volts. You can solve the problem of replacing the cord in a very simple way:
Initially, the laptop included a power cord with a standard US connector.
The simplest way out is to replace it with a power cord suitable for European networks. There is no need to do anything further because network adapter The laptop can work with any network.
Cases when purchasing a cord is impractical
For some types of equipment, purchasing cords is not justified, and in similar cases preference should be given to purchasing adapters. Devices used primarily with adapters include:
- mobile phones and smartphones, since purchasing a new device for recharging is unprofitable;
- large household appliances in which the cord is connected to the device itself, and can only be replaced by specialists from specialized repair centers;
- devices equipped with complex connectors and connected directly to electrical equipment; V similar situations You can only purchase a suitable cord from service center manufacturing company.
Electrical equipment operating at voltages between 100 and 110 volts
Nowadays, it is common to find household appliances that operate strictly at 110 volts. This is, first of all, large equipment that users rarely order through online stores from other parts of the world.
But if the buyer nevertheless received such a product, then he can solve the problem that has arisen quite easily. The best way out In this case, it is necessary to purchase a step-down transformer.
This device reduces the voltage of the 220V electrical network to 110V suitable for the device. It is equipped with all the necessary connectors, so there is no need to purchase any additional adapters. The process of connecting the device to the electrical network via a transformer is carried out by connecting the plugs; no settings are needed.
Selecting the correct transformer power
When choosing a transformer, you must pay attention to the power level of the electrical appliance with which it will be used, since large equipment, in particular, refrigerators, televisions, electric heaters, etc., require a higher power transformer. Therefore, you first need to find out what the power of the electrical appliance is (in Watts-W or Watt), and then buy the most suitable transformer device.
The dimensions of step-down transformers vary. So, for technology with low level power (up to two hundred watts), the transformers are barely larger in size than devices for charging smartphones. A device for equipment with a power of up to three thousand watts can be comparable in its parameters to a two-liter bottle.
An ordinary step-down transformer equipped with an American plug connector
Such devices can be ordered in stores electronic technology. The cost of transformers with a power of up to two hundred watts is approximately ten dollars. The more high power The connected equipment differs, the more expensive the transformer is. So, the cost of a device for three thousand watts will reach 50-70 dollars.
Step-down transformer for high-power electrical devices
Many buyers order such products via the Internet, in particular, on the American auction eBay, where there is always big choice step-down transformers.
Electricity in America, Canada, Mexico
American electrical voltage online alternating current
Mains is the general-purpose alternating current (AC) electric power supply.
synonyms:
household power, household electricity, powerline, domestic power, wall power, line power, AC power, city power, street power, grid power.
In the United States and Canada, national standards specify that the sink voltage rating should be 120 V and allow a range of 114 to 126 V (-5% to +5%). Historically, 110, 115 and 117 volts were used in different places in North America.
(1)
However, this applies to single-phase networks. Three-phase power supply is labeled in America as 120/208 volts.
United States of America - plugs/sockets type A, B, mains voltage 120 V, frequency 60 Hz. The main network voltage, in accordance with the standard, is 120 V (from 114 to 126 V). Most houses are supplied with two circuits in antiphase, which makes it possible to obtain 240 V, from which more powerful consumers are powered, such as washing and drying machines, air conditioners, electric stoves, and so on. Older homes may have Type A sockets, but since 1962 only Type B sockets have been installed.
On the suitability of consumer electronics and electrical equipment for “foreign power grids”
Pay attention to the power supply voltage required by the electrical device (usually written on the device itself)
For example:
AC adapter: Input 100-240 V 50-60 Hz
Yes, indeed, many electronics power supplies can be connected to a network voltage of 110 volts, 120 volts, 127 volts, 220 volts, 230 volts, 240 volts with a frequency of 50 or 60 hertz. Even less, when we had a power failure, the voltage was 45-60 volts, and then two of the four adapters worked (one to the laptop, the second adapter to the GSM homebox, which is a mobile-stationary Internet mobile-telephone “radio modem”) . And the local switch power supply computer network I was not satisfied with this power supply.
Voltage in power grids of different countries - on Wikipedia
Mains voltage
electricity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_power_around_the_world
(and electrical plugs and sockets - in-house wiring)
Charging device. How I was running around the hotel on a business trip when I forgot the adapter for charger camera And you need to take pictures. Nothing, the world is not without good thrifty Germans :)
World Country Guide Network adapters with American plug power cord to European, and power cords.
(2)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_AC_power_plugs_and_sockets
About foreign electrical plugs and sockets ( household electricity) household appliances
Phase and zero. Earth and grounding
Voltage value
voltage
How to turn on a 220 volt electric boiler in America? It’s very simple - plug into the socket through an adapter or change the plug. Only it will boil 2.5 times longer.
Some American acquaintances specifically went to the market “to buy real Bulgarian boilers,” twice. For what? Convenient, and we are in no hurry, came the answer :)
Electrical outlets in the USA
Extensions, adapters, tees
American electrical plugs and electrical sockets:
type A (NEMA 1-15 USA 2 pin) 2 pins (no ground)
type B (NEMA 5-15 USA 3 pin) 3 pins (with ground)
Photos (2)
There are single adapters (the plug is put on the adapter) and in the form of tees and electrical extension cords. Carefully ensure that the power of the adapters matches (example: “120-240 V - 1-1.6A”, A is the current in amperes, if mA is indicated, then consider that the power is almost zero, these are milliamps, 1/1000 ampere), otherwise. .. "this will be a device for creating a fire."
For example, an extension cable with an insufficient cross-section, carrying a current slightly greater than the permissible one, heats up to the softening temperature of the plastic for 5-10 minutes. And then - there may be charring, a short circuit. The same goes for plugs/sockets. It’s good if it ends in melting and the smell of burnt plastic.
Voltage converters
Voltage range
Power supplies - adapters
At worst, for compatibility with “foreign power supplies” there are transformers and converters from a 110-127 volt network to 220-240 volts and vice versa; Just be careful with the power consumption of the electrical appliance and the adapter-transformer - there must be a reserve, at least 30% percent.
50-60 hertz? Asynchronous electric motors give different speed and power. Transformers? If there is a reserve of power built into the electrical device, it will work. If not, sooner or later it will burn out. 60-50/50-60 hertz - the difference is only 20%/17%, for electrical engineering - not so important. Using electrical appliances with a transformer designed for 50 hertz in a 60 hertz network is no problem (electrical steel magnetic circuits make almost no difference), but a 60 hertz transformer with a power supply of 50 hertz can be problematic.
Mexico
socket plugs: type A, B 127 V 60 Hz
The main voltage in the network is 127 V (from 114 to 140 V), otherwise the standards are close to North American ones.
(almost no difference in voltage - 120 or 127 volts, according to the rule of complete electrical compatibility -10...+5%)
remember! In the US and EU, the electricity supply will run out at some point.
If there is a long-term power outage, first empty the refrigerator, then the freezer.
There is almost no real food left in them (more about true food wildman-cook.netnotebook.net/) - no eggs, no meat, except for two chicken breasts, not even a packet of non-ghee butter.
Katie wanted a grain snack, so I make a fire from boulevard branches, heat water and make oatmeal.
Free retelling-translation from Bulgarian by Shulman from the book by Neil Stross, Izvenredna Situatsaya / Emergency(in general, not specifically - difficulties in translation from English and Bulgarian into Russian) publishing house Exlibris 2009, translation from English into Bulgarian by Ilian Lolov, copyright 2009 by Stately Plump Buck Milligan, LLC. Neil Strauss - Neil Strauss.
Try to imagine homo modernus without mobile phones, cameras, laptops, navigation systems and other gadgets? The answer is simple: it is impossible. Well, all these benefits of civilization cannot exist without “food”; they need recharging.
Therefore, beaches, parks, museums fade into the background, and the first thing a traveler should think about is what kind of sockets and what kind of voltage there will be in the country where he is going.
In most cases, the issue is resolved with the help of an adapter. But it can become useless if the voltage in the network is very different from the native, domestic one. For example, in Europe the voltage varies from 220 to 240 V; in the USA and Japan - from 100 to 127 V. If you don’t guess, you’ll burn your device.
Let's try to understand the intricacies of electrical engineering.
Voltage and frequency
By by and large, in the world only two levels of electrical voltage are used in the household network:
European - 220 - 240 V and American - 100 - 127 V, and two AC frequencies - 50 and 60 Hz.
Voltage 220 - 240 V with a frequency of 50 Hz is used by most countries of the world.
Voltage 100 -127 V at a frequency of 60 Hz - in the USA, North, Central and, partially, countries South America, Japan, etc.
However, there are variations, for example, in the Philippines, 220 V and 60 Hz, and in Madagascar, on the contrary, 100 V and 50 Hz, even within the same country, depending on the region, there may exist different standards, for example, in different parts Brazil, Japan, Saudi Arabia, in the Maldives.
Therefore, before you set off, collect as much information as possible about circuits and signals, the types of sockets used in the country and the voltage in the network.
Electrical sockets
There are a lot of sockets, plugs and options for connecting to the electrical network. But don’t be alarmed, there is no need to deal with everyone and look for an adapter for each.
You need to remember (save, sketch, photograph) the 13 most used types of sockets that indicate with Latin letters A to M:
Type A - American electrical socket and plug: two flat parallel contacts. Used in most countries of North and Central America (USA, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Guatemala), in Japan, and almost everywhere where the mains voltage is 110 V.
Type B is a variation of the Type A connector, with an additional round ground pin. Typically used in the same countries as the Type A connector.
Type C - European socket and plug. It has two round parallel contacts (without grounding). This is the most popular socket in Europe, excluding England, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus. Used where the voltage is 220V.
Type D is the old British standard with three round contacts arranged in a triangle shape, with one of the contacts thicker than the other two, rated for maximum current. Used in India, Nepal, Namibia, Sri Lanka.
Type E is a plug with two round pins and a hole for the grounding pin, which is located in the socket of the socket. This type is now almost universally used in Poland, France and Belgium.
Type F - The standard is similar to Type E, but instead of a round ground pin there are two metal clamps on both sides of the connector. You will find such sockets in Germany, Austria, Holland, Norway, and Sweden.
Type G - British socket with three flat contacts. Used in England, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Note. This type of outlet often comes with a built-in internal fuse. Therefore, if after connecting the device it does not work, then the first thing to do is check the condition of the fuse in the outlet.
Type H - has three flat contacts or, in more early version, round contacts are arranged in a V shape. Used only in Israel and the Gaza Strip. Not compatible with any other plug, designed for voltage values of 220 V and current up to 16 A.
Type I - Australian socket: two flat contacts, as in the American type A connector, but they are located at an angle to each other - in the shape of the letter V. Also available in a version with a ground contact. Used in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Argentina.
Type J - Swiss plug and socket. It is similar to a Type C plug, but has additional contact grounding in the middle and two round power contacts. Used in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Ethiopia, Rwanda and the Maldives.
Type K - Danish rosette and a plug similar to the European Type C, but with a ground pin located at the bottom of the connector. Used in Denmark, Greenland, Bangladesh, Senegal and the Maldives.
Type L - Italian plug and socket, similar to the European Type C socket, but with a round ground pin that is in the center, the two round power pins are arranged unusually in a line. Used in Italy, Chile, Ethiopia, Tunisia and Cuba.
Type M is an African socket and plug with three round pins arranged in a triangle shape, with the ground pin being clearly thicker than the other two. It is similar to the D-type connector, but has much thicker pins. The socket is designed to power devices with a current of up to 15 A. Used in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho.
A few words about various types of adapters.
The easiest way to be ready to put the plug into the socket is to purchase an adapter, converter or transformer in advance (it depends on what your needs are). In most hotels, if you contact them, they will select the device you need at the reception.
Adapters - combine your plug with someone else's socket without affecting the voltage, the most versatile device.
Converters - provide conversion of local power grid parameters, but for a short time, up to 2 hours. Suitable for small (hiking) household appliances: hairdryer, razor, kettle, iron. Convenient on the road due to its small size and weight.
Transformers are more powerful, larger and more expensive voltage converters designed for continuous operation. Used for complex electrical appliances: computers, TVs, etc.
And in the end easy life hack how to use an English socket without an adapter
Happy travels!
Sources: wikimedia.org, travel.ru, enovator.ru, personal experience.
More than once I have encountered the bewilderment of our tourists, and especially female tourists, who took with them equipment from Russia (a hair dryer, for example), but in the USA the device barely works. You shouldn’t immediately scold the manufacturer, it’s all about tension.
In America, the mains voltage is 110 Volts, so European technology designed for voltage from 220 to 240 volts, it works here, frankly speaking, very poorly. Don't count on your favorite hairdryer or curling iron to help you out during your American trip. Either leave them at home and don’t take up space in your suitcase, or make sure in advance that the device is capable of working in full mode— there is equipment that can adapt to any voltage; information can be found in the instructions for the device. Many devices work without problems in any country in the world, but alas, not all.
There are such “stations” in many hotels, but sometimes even Apple owners No way without an adapter.
As for phones, cameras and cameras, you can charge them, but accordingly it will take a little longer than at home. Therefore, make sure in advance that your equipment is ready for use upon arrival; if you have a tour the next day, for example, it will not be pleasant if the camera is not charged within the usual 2 hours.
An important point is the adapter. If you can live without a hairdryer, and hotels usually have one, then such a number will not work with a telephone; without it, most people will get nowhere. Sockets in the USA are completely different from European ones. There is no way to do this without an adapter. Of course, you will find an adapter when you arrive in the USA, but it is not always easy. In many hotels, for some inexplicable reason, there are no adapters. And the “star rating” of a hotel doesn’t mean anything here - sometimes a hostel has an adapter, but a luxury hotel does not. And in the supermarket or pharmacy closest to the hotel (sounds strange, but more on that a little later) there may not be adapters, as we have seen more than once from the example of our tourists, with whom we were looking for adapters upon their arrival.
American outlet
Now imagine the situation - you have just arrived, you are tired, you are not very confident in your English, but you need to charge your devices so as not to be left without communication in the morning. Wandering around the city, not knowing where to get this adapter, is not a pleasant prospect. You can, of course, call the guide, but what if you don’t have a guide or the tour is a group one? In a word, to protect yourself from minor troubles like this, it is better to buy an adapter at the airport (they are definitely there and are cheaper than in the USA - few people think of buying them upon departure) or even in your city - nowadays full set Finding it is not a problem in any hardware store.
Returning to the topic of hair dryers and other styling equipment, if you did not bring one with you and purchased replacements from a local store, please ensure that they are rated for more than 110 volts before using them in Russia. Unlike the situation with European devices, which here, in the worst case, simply will not work as needed. Topical appliances can cause serious harm to you at home. My friend, who bought a straightener here, when she tried to use it at home, instead of ideal straight hair, she got volume, and what a volume. The iron exploded in her hands. You can, of course, sue the manufacturer, but it was clearly written on the box (though English language) that the device can ONLY operate at a voltage of 110 volts. Which is fair, considering the cost of the iron is $18.
In order not to repeat such an incident in your example, when you see equipment here, be it a toaster for $15 or a super hair dryer for $300, you should make sure that it is adapted for higher voltage and you can use it safely in your country. Those devices that are cheap are most likely designed to serve only in the USA, and even then not for long. The price-quality ratio has not been canceled in any corner of the planet. You shouldn’t sweep $20 coffee makers and waffle makers off the shelves - they are, of course, very nice, and just like in the movies, but they are completely useless in Russia. If you buy a phone or camera here, then there is no need to worry - this equipment is precisely designed for safe work Worldwide. But with everything else (especially with household appliances) you should be on alert. Especially if you are planning to give someone a gift. It’s unlikely that your boss, having received a mini-coffee maker as a souvenir, will thank you for the fire at home or in the office, and for his phobia of electronics. And then try to prove that you didn’t try to kill your boss. So, everything is like Hippocrates - do no harm.
Well, if you do acquire safe “adapted” equipment, then again, don’t forget about the adapter. Adapter for European socket It’s easy to purchase here - everyone expects that Americans are traveling and will certainly buy an adapter in their homeland, anticipating possible troubles. Why don't we follow their example?
