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michinkorea
Joined: 27 Jul 2006
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 Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 7:32 pm Post subject: Power bar converter |
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Hey,
So i know that i need a power converter for any electrical stuff that i have. Rather than bringing more than one, or unplugging things all the time does anyone know if i can bring a power bar and just one converter?
Thanks,
Mich |
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Crowzone
Joined: 31 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 8:40 pm Post subject: |
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That depends.
What it depends on is what you plan on plugging into the power bar, and what the capacity of your transformer (voltage converter) is.
Different converters can handle up to a specific wattage of drain on them. So while you can plug the power bar into your converter, if you plug too many things into your power bar you'll run into some problems (of the electrical badness kind)
Basically you'll need to know what kind of load you're planning on putting nto the converter and then buy one that will handle this.
Personally, I would go for as big a transformer as you can find, the little 'travel' converters are okay for like, and electric razor, or something, but I wouldn't trust a computer or something valuable in it (I fried my Nintendo when I first got here thanks to a travel voltage converter)
Anyways. On the face of it: Yes you CAN plug your power bar into your voltage transformer/converter/adapter. Will it be a good idea/safe to do so? That depends on the specifics of your converter and the load you are putting on it.
Better safe then sorry is my opinion, and from experience I can tell you its not fun to fry something during your first week in Korea. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:01 pm Post subject: Re: Power bar converter |
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| michinkorea wrote: |
Hey,
So i know that i need a power converter for any electrical stuff that i have. Rather than bringing more than one, or unplugging things all the time does anyone know if i can bring a power bar and just one converter?
Thanks,
Mich |
Sorry for the ambiguous answer but yes and no.
Yes, you can plug a power bar into a converter.
The problem lies in the appliances that you are plugging into it.
Voltage converters (actually voltage step down transformers) are rated on the amount of power they can handle. Some small ones are find for things like a shaver or small electronic appliance but cannot handle the load from things like a hairdryer or toaster.
If you get a larger one (they are heavy BTW) and run it at close to capacity (too many things plugged in at once) then you will burn it out over time anyway.
What appliances are you bringing that need voltage conversion? Other than perhaps a shaver and laptop (and they usually don't need a converter - just a plug adapter), it would be cheaper, easier and way more convenient to buy your stuff over here.
eg: hair dryer $10+, Iron $15, toaster $15, DVD player $65, rechargable batteries -set w charger $10.
If you are bringing a game machine then just buy a new power pack here and save the troubles. |
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europe2seoul
Joined: 12 Sep 2005
Location: Seoul, Korea
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| Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:06 pm Post subject: Re: Power bar converter |
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| michinkorea wrote: |
Hey,
So i know that i need a power converter for any electrical stuff that i have. Rather than bringing more than one, or unplugging things all the time does anyone know if i can bring a power bar and just one converter?
Thanks,
Mich |
2000W power converted is about 40,000 won in Walmart (you can find them usually on the bottom shelf where power-strips are). They are about 6kg heavy (approx. 12 lbs) using coils to convert electrictiy, not those small ones which are not good as poster before said. 1000W is available too but its about 5000won difference so why bother.
Usually all of them have 2 110V output sockets. So bring some power strips if you want to plug in more 110V appliances.
If you are bringing notebook, they come standard these days with an universal power adapter working on 110V/220V at 50/60Hz but check. In that case you just need a socket adapter which is quite cheap 2000-3000 won.
Since in US they mostly rate power strips and appliances in amps, divide wattage by 110 to get amps. So, 2000/110 = 18A. But, don't drive that much.... |
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