Electrical Conversion Confusion

MisterAlex

So at the end of August, i'm heading over to South Korea from Canada, and i'm planning on bringing a handful of electrical devices (laptop, camera, video camera). Now, I know that Korean outlets use 220v, while North American outlets are 120v.

While I realise this isn't a problem for the laptop (which can take 120 to 225, due to that.. er. box - i'll just need a plug adapter), I don't want my Cameras to surge - What type of electrical conversion equipment exists, if any? I can't even think of what to look for - as you can tell, electrical engineering isn't quite my fortée.

Thanks in advance.

-Alex

Dman

I would think your camera uses some sort of batteries.

Your camera battery charger should have an AC to DC converter on it similar to the computers. If it can't take the extra volts I'm not sure where you could get something to lower the voltage but I imagine it exists.

Edit: is a version of your camera sold in Korea, could you buy a korean charger for it?

RUNN1NGMAN

Lots of electronics already accept a range of voltages, either internally or through their power brick thingy. Like my electric shaver, for instance.

Otherwise, you need something like this: http://www.brookstone.com/store/product.asp?product_code=200345&wid=19&cid=1904&sid=190404&search_type=subcategory&prodtemp=t1

or this: http://www.brookstone.com/store/product.asp?product_code=223891&wid=19&cid=1904&sid=190404&search_type=subcategory&prodtemp=t1

Unfortunately, for reasons someone else will have to explain, there are warnings not to use these with battery chargers or laptops.

Barrakketh

RUNN1NGMAN wrote: »

Lots of electronics already accept a range of voltages, either internally or through their power brick thingy. Like my electric shaver, for instance.

Otherwise, you need something like this: http://www.brookstone.com/store/product.asp?product_code=200345&wid=19&cid=1904&sid=190404&search_type=subcategory&prodtemp=t1

or this: http://www.brookstone.com/store/product.asp?product_code=223891&wid=19&cid=1904&sid=190404&search_type=subcategory&prodtemp=t1

Unfortunately, for reasons someone else will have to explain, there are warnings not to use these with battery chargers or laptops.

Or any electronics whatsoever that don't already have a universal power supply. What the OP needs is a step-up/step-down transformer. Basically something like this, though he may need one that can provide more/less power for his needs.

lifeincognito

RUNN1NGMAN wrote: »

Lots of electronics already accept a range of voltages, either internally or through their power brick thingy. Like my electric shaver, for instance.

Otherwise, you need something like this: http://www.brookstone.com/store/product.asp?product_code=200345&wid=19&cid=1904&sid=190404&search_type=subcategory&prodtemp=t1

or this: http://www.brookstone.com/store/product.asp?product_code=223891&wid=19&cid=1904&sid=190404&search_type=subcategory&prodtemp=t1

Unfortunately, for reasons someone else will have to explain, there are warnings not to use these with battery chargers or laptops.

You probably can't use things that are sensitive to the current as a transformer will keep power, P, the same but alter your voltage, V. P=VI where I is your current and as such when you drop down from 220V rms to 120V rms you are nearly doubling the current which some devices might not like for a whole bunch of other reasons. A bit off-topic but it often helps to have some idea of how the devices you own function.

useless4

i travel way too much and finally just did this:
got the world travel kit for my mac (so i can plug it in anywhere) then got everything else to charge usb thru the mac. made me much much happier in life honestly.