Electrical confusion

[DROLBO]

Sorry to ask this question, but I did a search and I'm still confused. I am clueless when it comes to electronics and electricity (I HATED physics), and I still don't understand the whole transformer situation. If someone could just explain it to me I would really appreciate it. So, here it goes...

1. When I did a search someone said their laptop had a dual voltage switch. How do you know if your laptop or any other appliances have that switch?

2. Can you buy a transformer that will work on several things at a time or do you have to have one for each thing you need to plug in.

3. Do the transformers have a wattage range that they work on or do all transformers work with any product?

4. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere on the forum that we should wait and buy the transformers once we get to Grenada, is that right?

5. Does anyone know if the Grand Beach Resort has 110 or 220?

Thanks! And sorry, I know these questions have probably been asked a lot, but I have no idea what to do about all this electrical stuff. I spent a month in Barbados, but the place we stayed had 110v so I didn't have to deal with that there. I don't even know if Barbados has 220v at all. Oh well, hopefully I'll figure this stuff out soon.

[basupran]

1. When I did a search someone said their laptop had a dual voltage switch. How do you know if your laptop or any other appliances have that switch?

2. Can you buy a transformer that will work on several things at a time or do you have to have one for each thing you need to plug in.

3. Do the transformers have a wattage range that they work on or do all transformers work with any product?

4. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere on the forum that we should wait and buy the transformers once we get to Grenada, is that right?

5. Does anyone know if the Grand Beach Resort has 110 or 220?

Thanks! And sorry, I know these questions have probably been asked a lot, but I have no idea what to do about all this electrical stuff. I spent a month in Barbados, but the place we stayed had 110v so I didn't have to deal with that there. I don't even know if Barbados has 220v at all. Oh well, hopefully I'll figure this stuff out soon.

1) Usually built into the power supply for a laptop-the 'brick'
2) Depends on the wattage of the device(s) you are using. Most converters are limited by the wattage. 1600 is a typical max, but it depends on the specific model you have purchased. In addition, many wont work below 50 watts (you have to look at the packaging to make this determination). So, to answer your question, you can use a power strip with one converter provided you stay within the range. This is not safe, but it can be done.
3) There is a range.
4) Expect to pay more $.
5) IIRC, 220V only.

[jaywalk81]

i can help you in some of your questions

1. your lap top most likely have the dual volatage. you can check this on the transformer (thats what i call it haha) it is usually a little black box that is connected to the plug. on it you can find that the voltage range.

2. dunno about this one.

3. yes the transformer has a wattage range. more watt=more expensive.

4. yea buy the thing down there. saves you space and weight in your luggage.

5. have no idea but i am sure you can call the resort to find out.

[Belgiandoc]

if you have an electrical item that states it can handle input for 100-240volts and 70mA and current at 50-60 hertz all you have to do is by a converter that changes the types of prongs you have. So if your cell phone has a charger that can handle the above listing but has "American "style prongs you need to get a little piece od plastic that has holes in one side that are shaped like an American electrical outlet and on the other side the prongs are UK style the littel square ones. Right??

[basupran]

if you have an electrical item that states it can handle input for 100-240volts and 70mA and current at 50-60 hertz all you have to do is by a converter that changes the types of prongs you have. So if your cell phone has a charger that can handle the above listing but has "American "style prongs you need to get a little piece od plastic that has holes in one side that are shaped like an American electrical outlet and on the other side the prongs are UK style the littel square ones. Right??

All you need is an adapter then. Those are cheap...I may have an extra if you need.

[Dr.Masr]

I bought a separate 1600 watt voltage converter for my iron, however, it is not for continuous use so it can only be on for like 15 minutes (one of those palm sized converters). Now a transformer, that is made for continuous use but they are different wattages (more wattage, more power, more things you can run off it). I bought this one from this site (expecting it either tomorrow or tuesday) http://www.popularelect.com/500.html Considering most other websites/stores were charging at least 60+ for that same transformer, I thought that at 25 bucks, the price is right. That booklet that the school gave us said that transformers are hard to find in the US and are very expensive. hahahahahaah thats ok, my undergrad used to pull the same stuff on me, just a way to support the local economy i guess. But sometimes, when you just dont have the money, you have to take the cheaper route :wink: Anyways, just do a search online for transformers and you'll come up with a ton.

Your laptop power supply is mostly 110-220V, but with decent wattage transformer, you wont have to worry about. You'll need a transfomer to power your other things anyway. Oh and as a reference note, if you dont know how much wattage your appliance uses, just look on it to see its voltage and amps, then multiply the 2 to get wattage! For example, my laptop inputs 19 V and 3.42 amps so the wattage is around 65. I can understand your frustration with the electronics stuff, i had it for a while but then did a little research on it now I could do it for a living.....well not really... :lol:

[jaywalk81]

ok now i am a lil lost.

so if you have an item such as a lap top, u still need to buy a converter to adapt to the outlets in grenada? but i wont need the transformer for my lap top right?

[drnick07]

ok now i am a lil lost.

so if you have an item such as a lap top, u still need to buy a converter to adapt to the outlets in grenada? but i wont need the transformer for my lap top right?

You'll need an adapter/converter to use the 220V outlets on campus, but obviously nothing for the 110V outlets (library, Histo lab, Superdorms). And no tranformer for your laptop, although anything else that is not dual voltage and from North America will require one (hair dryer, subwoofer, curling iron, lava lamp).

[Toddaa1]

ok now i am a lil lost.

so if you have an item such as a lap top, u still need to buy a converter to adapt to the outlets in grenada? but i wont need the transformer for my lap top right?

You'll need an adapter/converter to use the 220V outlets on campus, but obviously nothing for the 110V outlets (library, Histo lab, Superdorms). And no tranformer for your laptop, although anything else that is not dual voltage and from North America will require one (hair dryer, subwoofer, curling iron, lava lamp).

Make sure you have surge protector too, mine saved my laptop last night when the electicity blew up my voltage converter. Im just glad the building has no smoke detectors.
-T-

[drnick07]

Make sure you have surge protector too, mine saved my laptop last night when the electicity blew up my voltage converter. Im just glad the building has no smoke detectors.
-T- You can get a cheap surge protector the fits into the "brick" of your laptop's electrical cord from RadioShack. I blew through my cell phone charger and desktop speaker 7V converter from a powersurge in SD3 last year. Those were on 110V so there was no excuse for not having a surge protector/powerstrip/powerbar.

[emt036]

And if you forget, they even sell 110V surge protectors at the hardware store here... just a bit more expensive... Though the 220V George-Foreman style grills are down to 99EC ($37 US)

[jaywalk81]

does anyone know if a surge suppresor and a surge protector is the same thing? i have the suppresor for my laptop and just curious.

[basupran]

does anyone know if a surge suppresor and a surge protector is the same thing? i have the suppresor for my laptop and just curious.


http://computer.howstuffworks.com/surge-protector.htm/printable

[jaywalk81]

ok i have a question, this whole electricity is confusing me now.

ok here is my question please tell me if this is right...

if i have a laptop that has dual voltage, then all i need to plug it into a wall outlet is first the plug adapter then a surge protector and then finally my laptop. is this correct?


but if i have an appliance such as water heater that does not have a dual voltage, then i will need to plug into the wall first the plug adapter, transformer, surge protector and then the appliance. is this right?


man i think i just confused myself....

also if i buy those 10outlets surge proctectors, can i jus plug the whole protector into one transformer? would that be ok and safe? let say the transformer is capable of upto 2000 watts.

and also how many adapters do i really need?
thanks guys.

[surfNsmile]

I dont know if this will help, but in case...

a converter is what it sounds like: it converts the 220 V to the 110V we use here in the US, so with a converter, you can plug your regular things in for use, but that's why converters are bigger/heavier and more expensive

an adapter is only a physical modifier that allows your AC/DC plugs to fit into the 220 sockets which are round not flat, but you can't just put an adapter on anything and expect it to work. If your appliance's AC (input) can take 100-240 V, then an adapter is fine. New laptops are usually fine this way; however, if it is only 110/120 compliant for example, then you need a converter to step the 220 V down to 110 so that your circuit won't overload.

I hope this is helpful and not too much gibberish from an over-zealous engineer!

[basupran]

ok i have a question, this whole electricity is confusing me now.

ok here is my question please tell me if this is right...

if i have a laptop that has dual voltage, then all i need to plug it into a wall outlet is first the plug adapter then a surge protector and then finally my laptop. is this correct?


but if i have an appliance such as water heater that does not have a dual voltage, then i will need to plug into the wall first the plug adapter, transformer, surge protector and then the appliance. is this right?


man i think i just confused myself....

also if i buy those 10outlets surge proctectors, can i jus plug the whole protector into one transformer? would that be ok and safe? let say the transformer is capable of upto 2000 watts.

and also how many adapters do i really need?
thanks guys.

Laptop: correct
Appliances: transformer usually has built in adapter; transformer plugs into wall outlet, and then you can plug in your appliance

10 outlet surge protector: yes, you can plug it into 1 transformer, but you should not exceed the wattage recommended by the transformer.

You pretty much have it right, so you'll be fine. It isn't all that complicated once you get there. It is confusing now bc you haven't seen it.

G'luck

[IndianBabu]

Thanks a lot for posting that jaywalk.

I think I finally get the enigma now.


IndianBabu

[drnick07]

I dont know if this will help, but in case...

a converter is what it sounds like: it converts the 220 V to the 110V we use here in the US, so with a converter, you can plug your regular things in for use, but that's why converters are bigger/heavier and more expensive

an adapter is only a physical modifier that allows your AC/DC plugs to fit into the 220 sockets which are round not flat, but you can't just put an adapter on anything and expect it to work. If your appliance's AC (input) can take 100-240 V, then an adapter is fine. New laptops are usually fine this way; however, if it is only 110/120 compliant for example, then you need a converter to step the 220 V down to 110 so that your circuit won't overload.

I hope this is helpful and not too much gibberish from an over-zealous engineer!

Then what is a transformer?

[Dr.Masr]

A transformer is just like the converter, only it is much heaver, bulkier, and can be used continously (and take somewhat of a bigger load). Most converters can only be used for a short period of time, then they must be shut off. A converter can sit in the palm of your hand. I just got my transformer a couple days ago and it takes too hands to hold it (partially because it weights 10 pounds) :D