12v versus 240v set-up in a new off-grid (solar PV) residence. [more inside]
posted by wilful on May 27, 2009 - 11 answers

How dangerous is it to take apart an old TV if it has been unplugged for many months? [more inside]
posted by yarrow on May 2, 2009 - 15 answers

Moving a desktop computer internationally - we're moving from Korea (220 V) to Canada (110V). Is it as simple as removing the power "section" of the desktop and replacing it with 110 V at a computer repair place in Canada? Are internal components individually responsive to a particular voltage?
posted by carolekorea on Apr 8, 2009 - 11 answers

What DC voltage does an average LCD monitor use? [more inside]
posted by leafxor on Mar 27, 2009 - 4 answers

Just returned from fabulous 2 week holiday in New York. I Brought back Epson Artisan 800 All-in-One Printer from Staples costing $230. Unfortunately, I cannot use it in U.K., unless I plug voltage converter/transformer products. Has anyone else bought this set over there with more success? Any advice \ information appreciated. Please specify me What exact voltage converter product to buy & where to buy it from USA online store. Thanks. [more inside]
posted by omaralarifi on Jan 28, 2009 - 4 answers

Where in Los Angeles can I buy a travel adapter THAT WILL POWER MY LAPTOP in other countries? [more inside]
posted by drjimmy11 on Dec 19, 2008 - 14 answers

Can I damage my laptop by using a power adapter that has a slightly higher wattage than the original adapter? The original adapter was 65W, and the aftermarket one is 70W. The voltage is switchable. My original adapter had a voltage of 18.5V, this one says that if I need 18.5V, I should choose 18V. Any chance of damaging the computer by using this one? [more inside]
posted by leticia on Nov 13, 2008 - 8 answers

I am packing my entire house and moving to the UK, and I'm hoping to bring my TV, stereo, and a few smaller appliances with me. Please help me figure out my US to UK transformer and voltage requirements! [more inside]
posted by Kevin A on Oct 18, 2008 - 24 answers

Electrical engineering / voltage regulatorfilter: I'm searching for manufacturer or vendor sources on high quality, 220V to 240V automatic voltage regulators. This is for use with telecommunications/GSM/ISP equipment in the third world. Any other advice related to the subject will also be greatly appreciated. [more inside]
posted by thewalrus on Oct 10, 2008 - 1 answer

Can I charge a digital camera battery from America in a different country? [more inside]
posted by supercrayon on Sep 23, 2008 - 6 answers

Did I fry my laptop? (I was really stupid) [more inside]
posted by yoyo_nyc on Aug 28, 2008 - 4 answers

My girlfriend has a GHD hair straightener purchased in the USA, it's labelled "120Vac 35W", I want to use it in Ireland (where the standard voltage is 220Vac). Is it safe to use this with a step-down (220V -> 110V) transformer? [more inside]
posted by nfg on Aug 21, 2008 - 11 answers

I need to work out which of my DC adapters powers my devices - I don't want to damage anything. [more inside]
posted by chairish on Jun 14, 2008 - 13 answers

How much current flowed through me when I was shocked? [more inside]
posted by FergieBelle on Mar 14, 2008 - 19 answers

Plug adapter for Argentina and Uruguay? [more inside]
posted by Bezuhin on Mar 4, 2008 - 7 answers

I recently lost the power adapter for my olde tyme Creative Nomad Zen NX. I'd like to just drive down to RadioShack and get a replacement, but I'm not sure what I need. The Nomad wants 5V, but it looks like RadioShack's adapters skip from 4.5V to 6V. Will I kill my player if I use one of those options?
posted by punishinglemur on Nov 21, 2007 - 12 answers

Am I ruining my laptop with this AC adapter? [more inside]
posted by zooropa on Nov 16, 2007 - 11 answers

Can I use a lightbox purchased online from the US, which includes an international voltage adaptor for 220v, in the UK? I think the UK mains voltage is 240v and have no idea whether I have to be bang on 240v or if 220v is good enough. [more inside]
posted by penguin pie on Nov 16, 2007 - 8 answers

Can I use a plug adapter and an American power strip to power multiple electronics in Japan? [more inside]
posted by Espy Gillespie on Aug 10, 2007 - 17 answers

I need to add grounding to an outlet. How bad an idea is it to chain the ground to the ground of another outlet that is on a different circuit a few feet up from that one? [more inside]
posted by BrotherCaine on Jul 24, 2007 - 12 answers

Is voltage/frequency all I need to know to use my brazilian appliances in the US? [more inside]
posted by AnyGuelmann on Jun 27, 2007 - 9 answers

Advice on voltage transformers for using US kitchen appliances in Europe? [more inside]
posted by sdis on May 30, 2007 - 10 answers

I have a Electric shaver, Electric kettle and a Sandwich maker that uses 230V. They have round type pins in the plug. I would like to use them in USA. So I need to find a 110V to 230V voltage converter that also supports round pin plugs. I found this worldwide adapter plug in Amazon, and it seems like the idel thing I'm looking for except for the fact that it doesn't convert voltages. So if I can find something similar to this which converts from 110V to 230 v and vise versa it would be great. If it's not possible at least a one that converts from 110v to 230v. Please recommand me any converter that you are satsfied with and show me a place to buy. Thanks in advance.
posted by WizKid on Mar 3, 2007 - 11 answers

I just picked up a 1000W step-down converter (220V-110V) to power a receiver after a 750W exploded in a blaze of glory when I turned it on one morning. I'd very much like to avoid this kind of thing again. So my question is, is it relatively safe to keep step-down converters turned on at all times? If so, will it constantly be using 1000W of power even when the receiver is turned off? I've heard differing opinions but found no definitive answer on the interwebs. Related, is it true that you should always have something plugged into the converter when it is turned on?
posted by DefendBrooklyn on Feb 17, 2007 - 7 answers

I have two Nokia mobile phones - one purchased in the US and one that I've purchased here in Indonesia, both with their own similar-looking chargers (though with obvious differences on the plugs). Can I charge the Indonesian phone in the US on the US charger? [more inside]
posted by mdonley on Feb 12, 2007 - 8 answers

Broken TVfilter? We have a Phillips TV which keeps turning itself off. A vicegrip and more are inside. [more inside]
posted by jeribus on Dec 26, 2006 - 8 answers

Can I safely use a 5V 2.1A power adapter for a device (Linksys WET11 Wireless Ethernet Bridge) that expects 5V 2.0A? [more inside]
posted by SomePerlGeek on Oct 21, 2006 - 3 answers

A question about voltage, watts, transformers. [more inside]
posted by dydecker on Sep 20, 2006 - 8 answers

Power-tool help: The people at Black and Decker are behaving like...well...tools... [more inside]
posted by TeamBilly on Mar 29, 2006 - 7 answers

Will a 240 VAC panini grill work on 110 VAC? [more inside]
posted by randomstriker on Oct 30, 2005 - 15 answers

What kind of potentiometer do I need? Electronics and electrical math confuse the hell out of me, so I'm just going to lay it all out. [more inside]
posted by cloeburner on Oct 29, 2005 - 7 answers

I need a 6V positive-tip power adapter for a USB hub. I have a bag full of old adapters of varying voltages. I know the 6V means that it should not exceed the 6 volts, but can I use a lesser-volt adapter?
posted by Edward King on Oct 25, 2005 - 8 answers

I have an older travel trailer that I am turning into a guest house. The trailer runs on 110/120 volts and the main powercord has an oversized end plug with angled blades and cylindrical grounding plug. Kind of like the powerplug on an oven. How do I go about converting this to work with the existing 220/240 breaker? Is it complicated / unwise to do this myself? My electrical experience is limited to installing new light fixtures and electrical outlets.
posted by mollykiely on Apr 8, 2005 - 8 answers

DC-powered DVD players? I'm living in a country where the AC power is 220 volts, but will be returning to the US, where AC is 110. I want to buy a DVD player that I can use here and at home. [MI] [more inside]
posted by squirrel on Jan 20, 2005 - 12 answers

Voltage query: What are the disadvantages of regularly using electronics made for 110V using a step down voltage transformer in a 220V - 240V country?
posted by riffola on Jan 11, 2005 - 14 answers

Global citizen looking for either 240V only or bicurious with 110V CD Clock Radio in NYC or via online sites. O' Wise Ask MeFi, where do I find the perfect alarm clock to wake up with when in Bombay? I'm not yet desperate enough to make exceptions for 110V clocks in drag using a voltage convertor. [more inside]
posted by riffola on Dec 8, 2004 - 5 answers

Electricity and computers. 3 questions about:
1] Mains frequency
2] Computer clock speed
3] Putting 1 and 2 together. [~240v inside] [more inside]
posted by twine42 on Nov 23, 2004 - 9 answers

International Voltage adapters... [more inside]
posted by lkc on Jul 6, 2004 - 5 answers

I'm missing an adaptor for my Nintendo Entertainment System. it takes 9v, 1.5a but I've found a 9v 4.5a adaptor that fits and works but I wonder if there are any consequences to the addition current strength? well, are there?
posted by mcsweetie on May 29, 2004 - 9 answers

Can I take my American iPod to England and (with nothing but an an adaptor to correctly plug into a British socket) plug it into the wall for recharging? Will it accept UK power? Will it blow up? I want to listen to music while I'm there, but I don't want to break an expensive piece of equipment. I tried Google and Apple.com, but I couldn't find anything about this.
posted by grumblebee on May 1, 2004 - 9 answers