Europe-US electricity converter question - will these appliances work?

Fleshlight works

I was going to provide a real answer, but now I'm trying to crack the code with the random bolding.

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Wait, those take electricity?

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Only if you have a real man's peen

An AC adapter(converter) for my laptop is listed as

Input = 100 - 240 VAC 50-60HZ
Output = 20VDC

I have to use another adapter because the plug socket configuration is different in Europe, but in China or Mexico the US configuration will work without another adapter.

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An AC adapter(converter) for my laptop is listed as

Input = 100 - 240 VAC 50-60HZ
Output = 20VDC

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Right, that is a dual-voltage device. It will work in the US or Europe with just a plain adapter for the socket.


My question is about US devices that are NOT dual-voltage. In other words, the device only says 110/60hz on it. For example, my wife's curling iron says 110/60hz. If it just said 110v, then I believe it would work in Europe with a converter that steps down from 220 to 110. However, since it says 60hz (and it has electronics and a display), it will NOT work in Europe even with a converter.

If it was just a plain curler with a switch and heating element, it would work with the stepped-down voltage at 50hz. But since the electronics in it require 60hz, I don't think it will work. Can anyone verify?

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Don't plug in a 110 device with just an adapter you will fry it. If it is not dual voltage you need a converter. When I was stationed in Germany a guy in the barracks got his household goods and used an adapter on his tv that was 110 and he fried it. I say again if the device is not dusl voltage do not use an adapter use a converter.

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I understand that. But I believe that even with a voltage converter, many (all?) single-voltage electronic devices still will not work.

For example, a simple curling iron with a switch that simply sends power to a heating element WILL work at 50hz, but a curling iron with electronics (display, temp control, timers, etc) will NOT work at 50hz. Can anyone verify?

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Electric devices should work with converted 110/50hz power, whereas electronic devices probably won't. At least that's what I think.

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Most things can "work" at 50 or 60hz. It becomes an issue if everything is designed to operate properly with the frequency change. Europe doesn't do 110 50hz. They only do 200-220V 50Hz.

Solid state electronics are typically very tolerant of input frequency variances because they are already converting the frequency within itself. As the input frequency declines, if i remember right, the RMS current draw will increase. No big deal if all the conductors are designed properly. if not, it could overheat and fry. Typically DC electronics with a quality power supply are not going to care about 50 or 60Hz.

Motors and resistance elements will always "work" at the varying frequencies but the output ratings will be impacted. They may not output as much with the change or not be capable of putting out as much.

Also worth mentioning some devices require a surge of power to start, typically anything with a motor. If that’s the case depending on the equipment you’re trying to use you may need a converter with 2-3x the wattage listed on your device. This is why I currently have my 65” tv on a voltage converter but sold the washer and dryer, the sudden draw on power would wreck a euro apartments wiring.

Electronics like televisions, video game systems etc don’t need the extra wattage. And some things that are labeled as single voltage, if you pop open the box and look at the actua power supply you’ll see they’re dual

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Wait, those take electricity?

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If you do it right you can feed electricity back in to the grid.