Voltage can be described as the “pressure” that pushes electricity. It is indicated by a unit known as the volt (V),  and each electronic device is designed to run at a specific voltage. Otherwise, running at the wrong voltage will damage their circuitry.

Voltage converters are devices that are used to convert electrical power from one voltage level to another, either to step up or down. They are commonly used in a variety of things such as electronic devices.

 There are different types of voltage converters, including transformers, switching regulators, and voltage multipliers.

• Transformers: these are used to step up or step down the voltage level and are commonly used in linear voltage converters.
• Switching regulators: these are commonly used in high-power applications and use pulse-width modulation techniques to regulate the output voltage level.
• Voltage multipliers: these are ideal for high-voltage applications as they use a series of diodes and capacitors to increase the voltage level.

Do you need a voltage converter?

 Generally, a voltage converter may be necessary when the voltage of an electrical device does not match the voltage of the electrical system or outlet in which it will be used. If you are going to a country with a different electrical system, you may need a voltage converter so that you can safely use your electronic devices.

 For example, if your device is not ‘dual voltage’, you will need to buy a step-down voltage converter if you’re traveling to United States from the United Kingdom because the US uses less voltage (120V) than the UK (230V).

 It is important to know the specifications of your electrical device or appliance and the voltage of the electrical system or outlet where it will be used. Some devices have dual voltage, meaning that they can operate on both 110 to 120 volts and 220 to 240 volts.

How to know if your device is dual voltage?

There are a few things you can check to see if a device is dual voltage.

1. Label: A label that says something like "100-240V" or "110-240V" indicates that the device can be used on both 110 to 120 volts and 220 to 240 volts.
2. Manual: It is likely dual voltage if the manual indicates that the device can operate on both 110 to 120 volts and 220 to 240 volts.
3. Plug: If the plug can be removed from the power adapter, check it for any label that indicates the voltage range.

If you are still unsure whether your device is dual voltage, contact the manufacturer and ask for the voltage requirements. Remember that dual voltage devices will still need a plug adapter / travel adapter to fit the electrical outlets in the country where you will be using the device. 

What happens if your device isn’t dual voltage?

Because our travel adapters are not voltage converters, if your device needs a plug adapter in order to insert it into a plug socket, you will need to check if it’s dual voltage before using.

Using a device that is not dual voltage on a power supply with a different voltage than the device is designed for can cause device damage, failure, overheating, electrical shock, and even a risk of fire. 

If your device is not dual voltage and is from a country that operates on a different voltage to where you’re trying to use it, then please buy a voltage converter to convert the local voltage to the voltage required by your device. This will ensure that your electronic devices can safely run on the local power supply and avoid any risk of damage.