RSSElectrical circuits needed for international electronics
Oct 18
There are some devices and electronic gadgets from other countries that have different features and functions from the one that we have locally. These devices have some fancy functions and it would really be neat if we could lay our hands on them. The problem is that we cannot just go ahead and use these electronic gadgets right away.
There are differences in the way that some countries use electricity. This means that the devices that they make are different and might not work if we plug them directly the power supply that we have at home. In fact the difference is quite significant and it might actually lead in the getting damaged. That also means that we can not just plug in our devices to the local power supply when we are travelling.
Difference in Voltage- The main difference between countries when it comes to the way that they use electricity, is in the standard voltage of their power supply. The voltage used in Australia for example is rated at 240 volts. Compare that with the voltage used in other countries and there’s a huge difference. The United States for example uses 110-120volts while in Europe they use 220 volts.
If you accidentally plug in a device that you brought directly from the States into a regular power outlet in Australia, the device will get damaged. Even worse, it might potentially start a fire. Also Australian power supply is rated at 50 Hertz which is lower than the American 60 Hertz. Even if the voltage is converted so the device could run it would function more slowly if it uses a motor because of the lower frequency.
There could also be a difference in the way that power outlets take in the plugs. Normally they use two or three flat prongs for the plugs in Australia and not the rounded types found in other countries.
Adapting- This does not mean that devices and electronic gadgets cannot be used in different countries. All you have to do is make sure that you have the right adapter for the voltage. An adapter or a converter will step-up or step down the voltage as the need maybe so that the device can be plugged into the available power supply. There are also adapters for allowing the different types of plugs to be used on different local outlets. Just be sure that you know some background of the country that you are going to visit or the country where your device came from, so you know what step to take in order for you to use it. You can also hire an electrician who can help you with these types of issues.