Voltage Curling
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Adapters For Europe: grounded or ungrounded?
i'm going to London and Paris and i'm taking my laptop and my curling iron.
both have dual voltage,
my laptop has 3 prongs (grounded, i think)
my curling iron only 2 (non grounded)
my Q:
what do i need
i found universal adapter with surge protector but it does not say grounded??
Do I need a grounded adapter for my laptop and a non grounded for my curling iron, or can i use 1 for both???
which is better?
where to purchase cheap?
also need an adapter for the flight for my laptop (cigarette lighter type)
AS YOU CAN TELL, I'M OVERWHELMED AND CONFUSED, PLEASE HELP,
THANKS
You can use one for both. I'd get grounded only. These are relatively uncommon - most travel shops seem to sell ungrounded ones.
I travel a lot and I don't like the "universal" adapters - they are bulky and often fall out of the outlets. The adapters designed for a particular foreign plug are more reliable.
Please note that you will need different plug adapters for London (UK) vs. Paris. The "Paris" one covers most of Europe. Switzerland and Italy are exceptions.
For the curling iron, you will need a high power voltage converter as well as the plug adapter. Here's one: http://www.amazon.com/Recoton-ADF1650-Wattage-Travel-Converter/dp/B000028F42/ref=pd_bbs_sr_10?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1231371910&sr=8-10
Unfortunately that one comes with a bunch of ungrounded plug adapters, but it's not a bad price. Use the converter on the 1600W setting. If you can post the wattage (power) rating on your curling iron maybe we can find a different one. Don't use this on anything with a motor or a transformer (like your laptop).
These "voltage converters" are not intended to be left on long-term - unplug them when you're not using them.
The laptop will run fine on current all over the world - no need for a voltage converter, only the plug adapter.
You don't need an adapter with a surge protector in it. The laptop already has better surge protection in its power brick and the curling iron absolutely does not need surge protection.
For powering the laptop on the airplane, the best option (in my opinion) is a dedicated adapter like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Kensington-Portable-Notebook-Adapter-K33336US/dp/B000FDP9TO/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1231372159&sr=8-6
Check the details carefully to see if it comes with a "smart tip" compatible with your laptop. If not you can order the needed tip from Kensington.
Spend a bit more and it's a bit more bulky, but this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Kensington-K33197-Portable-Notebook-Adapter/dp/B0007W1K8M/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1231372159&sr=8-1 will work from either AC power (worldwide) or the airplane power outlet. i.e. it can act as a backup for your laptop's regular power brick.
Both of the above come with the cigarette lighter plug (used by American Airlines) and the EmPower plug (used by every other airline).
I do this a LOT (3 million program miles on AA) - if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to PM.
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Tags: 220 voltage curling iron, curling, dual, european voltage curling iron, flat, hair, iron
