It's not uncommon for travelers and expats to bring electronics and appliances with them overseas. The dilemma is, of course, why ACUPWR is in business: the difference in voltage and power standards around the world. We solve international voltage differences with high-quality international power converters. Whether you want to use a 120-volt microwave oven in a country with a 220–240-volt standard, or you want to move something much bigger overseas, like a refrigerator or freezer, ACUPWR has you covered.
ACUPWR's line of voltage transformers and power converters are available in different wattage sizes, from 100 watts to 2500 watts, and they'll accommodate the wattage consumption of most consumer appliances and electronics. Still, consumers aren't experts about things like wattage, nor should they need to be.
To that end, we've provided some charts below to help you determine the wattage requirements of your appliance (or appliances) and the wattage requirements for your ACUPWR transformer.
Another great resource is the website wattdoesituse.com, which allows users to enter a product specifically by manufacturer and model number.
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Here are some tips for using these charts:
Step One: Check Your Device
Make sure that your appliance is single voltage. Dual-voltage devices simply require a plug adapter.
Step Two: Determine the Wattage of Your Device(s)
In order to do this, simply look for the “W” on your device’s label. This will help you determine which transformer you need. If the device is 300 watts, then you will need to buy a transformer that is also 300 watts.
Other companies state that the voltage transformer’s maximum power should be equal to or greater than the power rating of your appliance multiplied by two. You don’t have to play that game with ACUPWR Tru-Watts™ products — our international power converters are safe for continuous use at 120% of their stated wattage. What you see is what you get, and you only have to buy what you need.
Step Three: Determine Total Running Wattage
If you are moving with more than one appliance and using a single ACUPWR transformer for all of them, then you need to calculate the total running (continuous) wattage of those items. Keep in mind that if you plan to use a global surge protector (GSP), it should be the ACUPWR AS6WWK model. Using another manufacturer's GSP will void the ACUPWR warranty.
Step Four: Determine Your Conversion Needs
In the U.S. and Canada (and many Caribbean islands), the voltage standard is 110–120 volts. If you’re traveling to another part of the world where the voltage is 220–240 volts – which is actually the norm in most countries – and you plan on taking a 120-volt appliance, then you will need a step-down voltage converter. A step-down transformer can convert 220–240 volts down to 110–120 volts. You will need a step-down voltage transformer if you’re traveling to any country with a power standard that is higher than what your appliances use.
Conversely, taking appliances that run on 220–110 volts to the U.S. or Canada requires a step-up voltage converter that can transform 110–120 volts up to 220–240 volts. You will need a step-up transformer if you’re traveling to any country with a power standard that is lower than what your appliances use.
There are many different power standards around the world. To determine what kind of voltage you will be dealing with, find your destination on a list of world power standards to learn about voltage as well as plug types. To learn more, check out our blog post on the history of power standards and plug types!
Explore our collection of international power converters and plug adapters today to find what you need! If we don’t have it, we can create it. Contact our team today for guidance or details on our custom voltage transformer building services.
