| Just because you have packed your handy power | | | | will be played slower and clocks will lose time). |
| converter don't get too confident that all your | | | | When purchasing your voltage converters you I |
| electrical problems are solved. Electronic appliances | | | | suggest purchasing a battery operated travel |
| (CD players, stereos, VCRs) require a | | | | clock. |
| transformer instead of a voltage converter. Single | | | | Some things, even with an AC power converter |
| Volt products with electronic circuitry need a | | | | won't work at all. For example, don't bother |
| specific sine wave to operate. An AC transformer | | | | bringing a television with you. Despite being able to |
| will maintain the quality of the sine wave where | | | | overcome the differences in electricity with an |
| as an AC power converter won't, and therefore | | | | international voltage converter you still will only |
| damage the electronic circuitry. Fortunately many | | | | receive rolling static as the broadcast signals in |
| dual voltage converters include a built in | | | | Europe and North America are different. Another |
| transformer. | | | | thing you need to worry about is old wiring. Bad |
| Another thing that you will want to factor in is the | | | | wiring will defeat a transformer or a converter |
| difference in Hertz (50 and 60Hz). Even with a | | | | every time. Many older European hotels have |
| travel converter, AC motors brought from North | | | | older electric wiring and will not be able to support |
| America (60Hz) to Europe (50Hz) will run slower. | | | | your 1000 watt travel iron. Luckily most hotels |
| In some cases, like a hair dryer or electric razor, | | | | have warning signs; however, if the lights start to |
| the difference won't be noticeable and as long as | | | | flicker unplug your electrical device immediately. |
| you used the correct AC voltage converter you | | | | And finally, be very careful with the European |
| should be ok. However, other devices, like tape | | | | bathroom electric shaver socket. They are |
| and CD players or electric clocks, even with the | | | | designed for low wattage electrical appliances |
| use of your travel voltage converter, will not | | | | (shavers and toothbrushes) and are not meant |
| operate correctly. These devices, operating at 5 | | | | for use with a hairdryer or curling iron. |
| 6 normal speed will be noticeably slower (i.e. Music | | | | |