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| *Travel Tips>>>General - Europe (Continental) Travel Tips |
I am studying in Hungary next semester. What all do I need to convert the power? |
Travel Info I traveled Europe with a friend in January but can't remember everything that we used to plug in our appliances. I will be in Hungary but may do some mild traveling to other countries. What is the proper name for the power converters and where can I get them for cheap. I would like to "froogle" search it but don't really know the name to get the right items. Also, our converters in Hungary had some problems because the outlets were little indented circles and we couldn't fit our power converter in the circle. It would be nice to not have this problem. Hopefully someone will know what I'm talking about and will be able to help me find everything I'm looking for at a reasonable price. Thanks so much! Kevin Travel Tips There are three differences between US and European outlets: voltage, frequency, and the shape of the outlet. To deal with the voltage difference, you need a "step-down transformer" (the big, heavy kind) or a "voltage converter" (smaller, but not suited for electronic equipment). Many laptop power bricks and similar power sources are dual voltage: if yours is labeled as "110/220V", then you don't need a transformer or converter for it. If you do need a transformer, it needs to be big enough to handle the appliance's power usage. To figure out what capacity you need, find the wattage (watts = amps x volts) of the appliance you need to plug in, and figure at least a quarter again as much -- or more, if it's something like a laser printer that uses a lot of power for short bursts. Power converters and transformers don't change the frequency of the electricity going through them. This means that certain types of electronics simply shouldn't be used abroad: buy a new alarm clock when you get there (or take a battery-powered one). To deal with the difference in outlets, you need a plug adapter. Hungary uses round, indented circle outlets. They accept either ungrounded plugs, which have two round prongs, or grounded plugs, which are round and bulky and only fit into the outlet one way. (There are also older outlets that aren't grounded, but they're still shaped like indented circles.) As for where to get all this, most electronics stores carry at least a few transformers and converters and a small assortment of adapters. Fry's Electronics in California has a good selection and low prices. A quick web search turned up several online stores, but having never dealt with any of them, I can't make a recommendation. Source(s): http://buyersguide.bargainoffers.com/vol... http://wikitravel.org/en/electrical_syst... http://www.international-electrical-supp... Other Travel Tips Here's a complete list of everything plugs and power in Hungary: http://www.international-electrical-supp... You can get the adapter at any radio shack or electronics store. |
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