Voltage converters transformers change electric current from 220 volts (Foreign Electricity) to 110 Volt (U.S. Electricity) which is called step down. There are step up voltage converters that change 120 Volt (U.S. Electricity) to 220/240 Volt (Foreign Electricity) and Voltage regulator converters that regulate and stabilize the electricity which works on 110-220 volts 50/60 HZ for use anywhere!
North America Voltage vs the Rest of the World
Throughout All of North America, the northern part of South America and a few select areas in Africa the 110 volt standard is used. This means that almost All appliances and electronics are built to be powered with 110 to 120 volts of electric current. This is different than the rest of the world. Europe, Asia, the majority of Africa and most of South America run on 220V, 230V or even 240V. With this being the case a voltage converter from 110 to 220 volts is needed if you plan to travel throughout the world. If you plan on traveling or moving overseas and would like to know the voltage standard for a particular country or continent use our Chart.
The Difference in a Step Up and a Step Down Voltage Converter
When an appliance or electronics device from a 110 volt country is to be used in a 220 volt country one would need to purchase a step down converter. When an appliance or electronics device from a 220 volt country is to be used in a 110 volt country a step up converter is needed. If you use a higher wattage converter you will never damage your appliance or electronics device. The concern is when you purchase a converter that is not powerful enough. If you have a voltage converter that is not powerful enough you could damage your items, or even worse, cause yourself grave danger. When dealing with electricity you would rather be safe than sorry! There is no need to try and cut the wattage close, err on the side of caution and purchase a voltage converter that has approximately 25% higher wattage than necessary.
Be sure to use our Voltage wattage calculator. Voltage converter finder
Voltage Transformer and Voltage Regulators – Step Down and Step Up and Converters Comparison Chart
Type | 220 to 110 Step Down | 110 to 220 Step Up | Build | Continues | Safety Fuse | Durablity | ON/OFF Switch | Indicator light | Input Switch | Volt Meter | Voltage Regulator | Safety Mark |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TypeJapan Step Up Down | 220 to 110 Step Down✔️ | 110 to 220 Step Up– | BuildGood | Continues✔️ | Safety Fuse✔️ | Durablity– | ON/OFF Switch✔️ | Indicator light✔️ | Input Switch✔️ | Volt Meter– | Voltage Regulator– | Safety Mark– |
TypeStep Down | 220 to 110 Step Down✔️ | 110 to 220 Step Up– | BuildGood | Continues✔️ | Safety Fuse✔️ | Durablity✔️ | ON/OFF Switch– | Indicator light– | Input Switch– | Volt Meter– | Voltage Regulator– | Safety MarkCE |
TypeST, VT, & VC-Step Up Down | 220 to 110 Step Down✔️ | 110 to 220 Step Up✔️ | BuildLow | Continues✔️ | Safety Fuse✔️ | Durablity– | ON/OFF Switch✔️ | Indicator light✔️ | Input Switch✔️ | Volt Meter– | Voltage Regulator– | Safety MarkCE |
TypeStep Up Down | 220 to 110 Step Down✔️ | 110 to 220 Step Up✔️ | BuildGood | Continues✔️ | Safety Fuse✔️ | Durablity✔️ | ON/OFF Switch✔️ | Indicator light✔️ | Input Switch✔️ | Volt Meter– | Voltage Regulator– | Safety MarkCE |
TypeStep Up Down With Meter | 220 to 110 Step Down✔️ | 110 to 220 Step Up✔️ | BuildGood | Continues✔️ | Safety Fuse✔️ | Durablity✔️ | ON/OFF Switch✔️ | Indicator light✔️ | Input Switch✔️ | Volt Meter– | Voltage Regulator– | Safety Mark– |
TypeStep Up Down with Regulator | 220 to 110 Step Down✔️ | 110 to 220 Step Up✔️ | BuildBetter | Continues✔️ | Safety Fuse✔️ | Durablity✔️ | ON/OFF Switch✔️ | Indicator light✔️ | Input Switch✔️ | Volt Meter– | Voltage Regulator✔️ | Safety MarkCE |
TypeBest Step Up Down with Regulator | 220 to 110 Step Down✔️ | 110 to 220 Step Up✔️ | BuildBest | Continues✔️ | Safety Fuse✔️ | Durablity✔️ | ON/OFF Switch✔️ | Indicator light✔️ | Input Switch✔️ | Volt Meter✔️ | Voltage Regulator✔️ | Safety MarkCE |
Voltage Transformer also known as Power Converters
North America operates on 110V to 120v electric current, whereas most countries in the world run on 220V, 230V and even as high as 240V . So if you wish to use your U.S. or Canadian 110 items overseas, your appliances will require a voltage converter, sometimes called a power transformer.
Voltage Converters will change the power of 110 volts into 220 volts, or 220 volts into 110 volts. Which is referred to as Step Up or Step Down voltage converters. Whether you are a seasoned world traveler or going overseas for the first time, you will need a 220 volts to 110 volts voltage converter.
Most items, such as hair dryers, electric shavers, irons, coffee makers, TVs, Home Theaters, or DVD players, require 110 Volts of power to operate in the U.S. or Canada, so if you are someone that wants to take one of these devices overseas you will need to purchase a converter. If you plug in the device as-is it will possibly burn out or lead to power failure, or even more serious damage to the device, you, and or the socket.
Voltage converters and voltage transformers are available in different wattage combinations: converters are available from 50 to 1600 watts. Transformers are available from 1 to 100 watts, 200 watts, even 300 watts and stronger. Your transformer will either step up and down the power (change 110 / 240 volt electricity into 240 / 110 volts) or or simply step it down (change 220 volts to 110 volts) so you can safely run your appliance. It will cause your device to run at the speed that it was designed to, and give you the safety and comfort of your familiar appliances no matter where you are in the world.
And there’s no harm in going above what you need: you should know that you will never damage your appliance if you use a higher wattage transformer. The danger lies in buying a transformer that isn’t powerful enough—it could damage your items or simply not work. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so don’t just get the exact minimum that you need to power your device. Instead aim to have about a 25% higher wattage than necessary.
Items That Would Required a Voltage Converter
When you travel to other parts of the world you will likely bring along the following that require a voltage converter:
Hairdryer
Toaster
MacBook Laptop Computer charger
iPhone or Smartphone charger
iPad or tablet charger
Coffeemaker
Printer
HD TV
Hair Straightener (Chi)
Electric Shaver
Iron
Fan
Many more!
Rather than wasting money ruining these electronics and appliances due to the wrong wattage purchase the current voltage converter today.