Wednesday 11 August, 2004
Converters
Well, today's issue has been electric currents. As we're starting to pack, Chu pointed out that we should check what current Canada uses - and turns out that they indeed use 110-120V instead of our 230-240V. The next question was if we needed to buy a voltage converter, or would or devices (mainly chargers) work.
Asking this from the boys at work produced lot of educated guesses - that basically only thing I'd need was an adaptor, and the devices might just work a bit slower. This was all nice and well - but engineers love to come up with theories so I wasn't convinced that it would actually work until Andy who had actually been to the States recently confirmed this. Believe it or not, finding out all this and trying to figure out if it was still worth getting a converter took several hours.
Result - we're not getting a converter, even if charging a phone takes a bit longer we should still be ok. What a bother.
Posted by kolibri at 11 August 11:48, 2004i had problems charging my phone there. had to get a converter. (okay, that was in vegas, but still.) i'd say you should get the damn thing. better safe than sorry. i might be wrong, though.
# 2 - Kolibri (on August 11, 2004 02:38 PM):
You see I'be been getting lot of maybe's on this subject ;) Andy was in States earlier this year, and he said that his chargers were ok - so you might have been just unlucky... I think we'll get a converter if they sell them on the airport, but I don't think I'll have the energy to try and hunt for one here. I'm also hoping - nay, counting on - the fact that Canada rules over US ;)
# 3 - J-Ko (on August 13, 2004 09:27 AM):
Why not just get one of those world adapters that you can use all around the world? True, they are more expensive, but you'd only need one for all trips.
Not that I have one, but I have been conmsidering buying one.
# 4 - Carlos (on August 17, 2004 04:17 PM):
Pitifully late, but:
Remember that voltage converters are totally different from adapters. The former are heavy, bulky and cost 50-200 euros whereas the latter are simple plug adapters made of metal and plastic. Prices range from 5 to 30 euros, depending on whether they're non-branded or made by the likes of Delsey or Samsonite.
Most battery chargers these days work with the both 110 and 220 volts, just check the device. It should tell the accepted voltage in the bottom, it's usually 100-240 V. You still need an adapter though, since Canadian plugs are different from those in Finland and UK.
Someone made a really useful page about this stuff, too:
http://users.pandora.be/worldstandards/electricity.htm
Had a wonderful day today. We got to breakfast bright and early, and I had Eggs Benedict for breakfast which was very nice (it's a silly thing but worth mentioning - this is something they always have in American movies...
Read more on Ontario Place as tracked on August 21, 2004 12:53 AM
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