WHAT IS TRU-WATTS™?
Tru-Watts™ is a term that describes how ACUPWR transformers will absolutely deliver converted AC power at the exact wattage load that they are rated for. In reality, our transformers work safely at 20-percent beyond their stated wattage rating, ensuring that during a voltage spike or wattage overload, an ACUPWR electrical transformer will never break down or create a hazardous situation.
DO YOU PROVIDE DISCOUNTS?
ACUPWR offers discounts to military and government agencies throughout the world. Contact us at 310-409-8696, or send us an email at info@acupwr.com to discuss this further.
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MY VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER OR CONVERTER BEING AMERICAN MADE?
ACUPWR voltage transformers and converters are made in the United States using only the finest parts and build quality. There’s close collaboration between our manufacturing and design teams, and creating a superior electrical transformer/converter with superior customer support to back it up is why we’re here. We’re also proud to be manufacturing in the USA and keeping jobs where they belong. Our manufacturing team is proud of what they do and take pride in their work. Chinese-made power transformers are manufactured with poor workmanship, poor-quality parts, and plenty of corner-cutting to save money on production at a sacrifice to safety and reliability.
DO YOU PROVIDE ANY GUARANTEE?
ACUPWR provides a lifetime warranty on all of our products. They’re guaranteed to be free of any defects as a result of poor materials and workmanship. Provided that the unit has been used according to the instructions as outlined in the user manual, we will repair or replace any transformer or converter, pending our inspection (you must return the unit to our factory via pre-paid shipping). Our warranty does not apply to ACUPWR products that have been damaged as a result of misuse, including but not limited to overloads and overheating.
WHAT IS A VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER/CONVERTER?
A voltage transformer or converter allows appliances and electronic devices to operate in countries, continents, and geographic regions that use a voltage standard other than the one for which the appliance or device was intended for. As an example, let’s pretend that you would like to travel with a vintage stereo system that uses vacuum tubes and designed for use in the United States or Canada, to Germany. The US/Canada voltage standard is 110-120 volts, while Germany’s is 220-240 volts. To simply plug in the stereo into a wall outlet in Germany would result in severe damage and a possible fire. An ACUPWR step down transformer would allow your stereo to work in Germany and other regions using the 220-240 voltage standard.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER AND A VOLTAGE CONVERTER?
Voltage transformers and converters perform the same function, but their difference pertains to their application.
- A transformer is what you would use with electronic devices. It can handle the intricate power requirements of integrated circuits and the like. Electrical transformers can also be used continuously to supply voltage to electrical appliances such as air conditioners and other devices that are operating for hours or days at a time.
- A converter is designed for non-continuous usage, and is best used with electrical products such as hair dryers, steam irons, small fans, and small bathroom and kitchen appliances. Using an international power converter for more than a few hours will result in overheating and may cause a fire. They must also be unplugged when not in use.
WHY DO I NEED A SPECIAL VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER FOR A REFRIGERATOR, COOLER, FREEZER, ICE MACHINE, AND OTHER COOLING DEVICES
When it comes to converting voltage for refrigerators, freezers, coolers, ice machines, and similar cooling appliances, there’s another important consideration: power line frequency. In the US and Canada (and most regions using 100-127 volts as standard), the line frequency is 60 Hz per second. In countries where 220-240 volts is standard, the line frequency is 50 Hz per second. Using any device with a continuous motor meant for operation at 60 Hz, including the aforementioned refrigeration equipment, clothes dryers, and air conditioners in a country where 50 Hz is standard would result in a motor that runs slower than intended and produce poor performance which will eventually lead to a burned-out motor. Conversely, using a 50 Hz motor in a 60 Hz country finds the motor turning faster and yielding similarly poor performance and product lifespan. For these reasons, ACUPWR makes the ADC models for converting the voltage from 220-240 volts to the 110-120 volts required for US/Canada market appliances to work in regions where 220-240 volts is standard, and also convert line frequency from 50 Hz down up to 60 Hz as required by these large-motor appliances.
HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER OR CONVERTER?
First, identify the voltage standard in the country you will be traveling to. You can do this easily by visiting www.worldstandards.eu. Then, identify the product that requires voltage conversion. Some devices — including laptop computers, camera chargers, and phone chargers — actually don’t require an electrical transformer or converter as their power supplies or chargers can work between 100 and 240 volts. If this is not the case, you will need a converter or transformer. Choosing the right one for your needs can be determined by the type of appliance and by the wattage it consumes. A CD/DVD player designed to be used in the US and Canada, where the voltage is 110-120 volts, can be used in Germany, where the line voltage is 220-240 volts, by using a step down transformer that can handle 150-200 watts of power consumption (the typical wattage of a CD/DVD transformer). Remember, you can always contact us with your requirements, and we’ll match you with the right voltage transformer or converter.
HOW TO FIND THE VOLTAGE AND WATTAGE RATINGS ON YOUR APPLIANCES
Determining the voltage and wattage requirements of your devices is simple, as the information is usually stated on the device or indicated in the user manual (the voltage should always be stated; failing to state the voltage could result in the product being used with an incompatible voltage, which means a ruined appliance or a fire). If the wattage is not stated on the device or in its user manual, then the amperage will almost certainly be listed. By knowing the voltage and amperage, you can determine wattage by using this formula:
Voltage * Amperage = Wattage
As an example, a product that operates on 110-120 volts with amperage of 5.5 amps would have a wattage of 605 according to the equation: 110 * 5.5 = 605 watts.
DO I NEED A VOLTAGE CONVERTER OR TRANSFORMER TO USE 100-VOLT (JAPAN) APPLIANCES AND DEVICES IN THE USA, AND VICE-VERSA
This question arises for several reasons: first, Japan uses the same Type A and Type B plug shapes that are common to the US, Canada, Mexico, and other countries — particularly in the Caribbean and South America. Second, Japan’s voltage is 100 volts while the US and Canada uses 110-120 volts, begging the question: with such a marginal difference in voltage, can’t I simply plug my 100-volt appliance into a wall outlet delivering 110-120 volts? Can’t I plug my 110-120 volt appliance into a 100-volt outlet?
Answer: No. Despite the 10-volts difference, most products — especially ones with heating coils — will not work efficiently and, over time, the product will burn out. With electronic devices, the 10-volts difference is apparent with glitches in performance. LEDs and digital displays will behave unusually. Meanwhile, tube-driven audio products will see a much shorter lifespan for their tubes. For these reasons, it is necessary to use an electrical transformer/converter between 100 volts and 110-120 volts appliances.
CAN I USE A FOREIGN PLUG ADAPTER INSTEAD OF A VOLTAGE CONVERTER OR TRANSFORMER?
Plug adapters are entirely different from voltage converters and voltage transformers. An outlet adapter matches a particular plug shape with one used in another country or region. For example, the Type B plug common throughout the US and Canada won’t fit into the outlets used in England, where the Type G plug is standard. Thus, an adaptor will match for compatibility. However, you cannot go ahead and plug your 110-volt clock into the wall outlet in Germany without a voltage transformer or converter. The plug adapter will let the plug fit the wall; a voltage converter and transformer performs a similar function albeit with voltage. They are not mutually exclusive.
WHAT IS A VOLTAGE STABILIZER?
A voltage stabilizer is different from voltage converters and transformers. Rather than changing the voltage up or down to meet the voltage requirements of an appliance, a stabilizer ensures that the voltage coming out of the wall will be within a steady voltage range. Such a device might seem unnecessary until you realize that AC voltage is susceptible to power surges and spikes (often the result of lightning) and, conversely, brownouts that occur when the electrical grid is taxed beyond capacity (as is the case when it’s 100 degrees out and everybody is running their air conditioners). ACUPWR’s voltage stabilizers are designed for 220-240 volts outputs and use a transformer to maintain a steady 220-240 volts through brownouts, surges, and spikes. Also, the voltage stabilizer is a must-have in underdeveloped countries where the electrical grid is unstable and prone to transients and fluctuations.
