#Power converter and adapter how to#

Tip: If you have a number of devices, bring a multi box from home and thenВ you can plug into your travel adapter so you can charge/run them all at the same time. You can purchase singles for a specific country or a multi-destination model. TheyВ easily obtainable in Auckland, Christchurch or Queenstown Airports. You can buy adapters at most large airports - try the book shop luggage shop or even drugstore/pharmacy. If you are going to buy an adapter, be sure to get one with the earthing pin. Without it, you are stuck with curly hair. With it, you can use your three-pronged hair straightener in a two-holed outlet. The plastic nub bridges the design divide between one plug and the foreign socket. The adapter is essential, regardless of the device. If you plan to travel to New Zealand, you may need a power plug adapter if you plan to bring your own electrical appliance such as a hair dryer, shaver etc. This manufacturer's label indicates that the device can only run on 120 volts so could not be used in New Zealand. These can usually be charged from anything that has a USB outlet. Tip:В Bring a rechargeable power bank or power pack that extends a device's unplugged life (like a phone or camera) by many hours.

This has to be stated on the name plate, like: 110-230 Volt ~ 50/60 Hertz. Fortunately, some appliances can operate on either a 50 Hz or 60 Hz system. Even if the voltage is the same (or if you use a converter/transformer to adjust the voltage), a 60 HZ appliance may not function properly on 50 Hz current. They can be plugged right away into a New Zealand outlet with the right power plug.ДЄnd what about the frequency: can I use a 60 Hz appliance into a 50 Hz outlet? No, we wouldnвЂ™t recommend doing that. NOTE: Laptops and battery rechargers usually come with switch-mode adapters (which means they can switch an AC input (100-240V for example - check the label!) to a DC output (19V for example). And of course donвЂ™t forget to switch the voltage level manually before you plug your device into a New Zealand outlet! To check if thatвЂ™s the case, look for something like this 100-240 Volt ~ 50/60 HertzВ on the nameplate of your appliance. Again, youвЂ™ll only need a transformer if those appliances are designed for another voltage level than the one in use in New Zealand (230V) and are not dual-voltage.Дual-voltage: Some appliances are dual-voltage, which means they can be used with more than just one voltage level. Transformers are to be used with all rechargeable appliances (for instance battery rechargers, cell phones, laptops and rechargeable shavers). To find out which converter you need, check the label on your electrical appliance for its wattage. For heating appliances (such as hair dryers, irons, coffee makers and other high-power electrical appliances) you need a 1600-watt converter. A 50-watt converter will do for small electrical appliances, like (non rechargeable) shavers or toothbrushes, and non-heating appliances. If you just absolutely need those c urling tongs then they can be boughtВ cheaply at places like The Warehouse/K Mart.Д¬onverters are meant for electrical appliances, and should only be used for a short period (1 to 2 hours). If the tag has a single voltage number (110 or 120 volts), you do if you see a combined low/high number (120/240 volts or 100/240 volts) or digits of 200 or higher, you don't.В But not all your appliances need converters or transformers before you can use them.Д«ut seriously folks bringing a converter or transformer is just not worth the hassle. Check the manufacturer's label (see image below).

#Power converter and adapter how to#

How to know whether you need a converter or transformer. Most motels/hotels will supply a hairdryer. Look for a plate or printing on the device, and it will probably say '110-220 volts' (refer to the below image) and therefore the devices need only a plug adaptor. Thankfully today most low-power devices like laptop andВ phone chargers power supplies will work on both 110 and 220 volts. Most accommodation providers provide a 110 volt ac sockets (rated at 20 watts)В for electric razors only.Д«e warned:В If you try to use 110-volt appliance like an iron, hairdryer or shaver in aВ 230/240volt plugВ the high voltage could overheat and destroy the appliance -В aВ power converter is required to use these appliances, but such a device would be the size and weight of a brick and not practical unless. New Zealand's Electrical Current - Volts/HertzД®lectrical current is supplied domestically throughout New Zealand at 230/240volts, 50 hertz.

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