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amcnutt
Joined: 22 Mar 2010
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 Posted: Sat May 22, 2010 6:14 pm Post subject: Converters/Adaptors |
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Could someone explain to me the difference of converters and adaptors, or do they do the same thing? I'm sure this has been asked before, but I would like to know what to bring with me so I don't ruin my laptop, hair straightener, and more!
I want to bring one with me, because I will not know any korean and might have a hard time getting around and communicating for the first little while.
If anyone has specific brands or types of these things in mind, please let me know! Thanks  |
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Globutron
Joined: 13 Feb 2010
Location: England/Anyang
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| Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 10:02 am Post subject: |
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An adaptor is simply a plug that you plug a plug into which can plug into a plug in the wall...plug. The different shapes of different nations, basically.
A converter is to make sure things don't burn up, by converting the DC voltage from the plug socket to the device. If you're from England you don't need to worry about that since our stuff is designed to handle higher voltages. America apparently does need it here.
I've had big problems finding adaptors here, so I only have one - luckily I bought a four-plug extension but everything else needs to be korean plugs from now. Converters I dunno about. But get both before you come if needed. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 11:31 am Post subject: Re: Converters/Adaptors |
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| amcnutt wrote: |
Could someone explain to me the difference of converters and adaptors, or do they do the same thing? I'm sure this has been asked before, but I would like to know what to bring with me so I don't ruin my laptop, hair straightener, and more!
I want to bring one with me, because I will not know any korean and might have a hard time getting around and communicating for the first little while.
If anyone has specific brands or types of these things in mind, please let me know! Thanks |
A plug adapter is exactly that. It adapts YOUR plug to fit into THEIR wall outlet.
A converter (alias power transformer) converts the voltage from 240VAC (the wall power that most of the planet uses) to 120VAC for the folks from North America and Japan.
It is big, heavy and best bought over here. They cost between 20-50k won depending on the size required (500-2500 watts).
Universal plug adapters are available all over the place (including chun-won stores, stationary stores and electronics departments of large retail outlets (home-plus and e-mart).
Before you bring electronics over ... check the power label and see if the device is rated at (a) 110vac or (b)110-240vac.
IF (a) then you need a converter.
IF (b) then you only need an adapter.
Things like laptops, etc usually are in category (b).
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amcnutt
Joined: 22 Mar 2010
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| Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 12:22 pm Post subject: Re: Converters/Adaptors |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| amcnutt wrote: |
Could someone explain to me the difference of converters and adaptors, or do they do the same thing? I'm sure this has been asked before, but I would like to know what to bring with me so I don't ruin my laptop, hair straightener, and more!
I want to bring one with me, because I will not know any korean and might have a hard time getting around and communicating for the first little while.
If anyone has specific brands or types of these things in mind, please let me know! Thanks |
A plug adapter is exactly that. It adapts YOUR plug to fit into THEIR wall outlet.
A converter (alias power transformer) converts the voltage from 240VAC (the wall power that most of the planet uses) to 120VAC for the folks from North America and Japan.
It is big, heavy and best bought over here. They cost between 20-50k won depending on the size required (500-2500 watts).
Universal plug adapters are available all over the place (including chun-won stores, stationary stores and electronics departments of large retail outlets (home-plus and e-mart).
Before you bring electronics over ... check the power label and see if the device is rated at (a) 110vac or (b)110-240vac.
IF (a) then you need a converter.
IF (b) then you only need an adapter.
Things like laptops, etc usually are in category (b).
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Thank you! That explanation was very straightforward and I understand the difference now! I will have to check the appliances I am bringing over, but are laptops generally the only devices that use adaptors? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 4:21 pm Post subject: Re: Converters/Adaptors |
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| amcnutt wrote: |
Thank you! That explanation was very straightforward and I understand the difference now! I will have to check the appliances I am bringing over, but are laptops generally the only devices that use adaptors? |
No, they are not the only ones but they are the ones that are the most common for travel.
Shavers, portable games, battery chargers, and other ELECTRONICS are also common on the list (coming from North America).
Also be aware that many devices like curling irons, hair dryers, etc are usually NOT dual voltage unless specifically designed for travel.
Again, EVERY electronic appliance/device that plugs into a wall outlet (and coming from North America) WILL have the label that tells you what the power requirements are. READ the LABELs on the devices you want to bring.
Many of the smaller ones like your hair dryer can be had here cheaply and easily.
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eamo
Joined: 08 Mar 2003
Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.
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| Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 5:17 pm Post subject: |
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| One fine day the mods will see fit to make one of these "do I need adapter/converter" threads into a sticky. |
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amcnutt
Joined: 22 Mar 2010
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| Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 6:09 pm Post subject: |
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I am planning on buying a hair dryer there, but I just bought a Babyliss hair straightener that I want to bring to Korea.
On the box it says it should be used on Alternating Current (60 Hz) only and that it should be inserted into a standard electrical outlet (125 V). Can I use it in Korea? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 7:08 pm Post subject: |
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| amcnutt wrote: |
I am planning on buying a hair dryer there, but I just bought a Babyliss hair straightener that I want to bring to Korea.
On the box it says it should be used on Alternating Current (60 Hz) only and that it should be inserted into a standard electrical outlet (125 V). Can I use it in Korea? |
Not without a voltage converter/transformer.
If you plug it in without a power transformer you will burn it out (quickly).
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Darkeru
Joined: 21 Apr 2010
Location: England
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| Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 2:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Globutron wrote: |
| If you're from England you don't need to worry about that since our stuff is designed to handle higher voltages. |
So we're okay for anything that has a plug, as long as we have adapters? Even stuff like the PC, DS, soldering iron, shaver, etc are all okay to use without a converter? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 4:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Darkeru wrote: |
| Globutron wrote: |
| If you're from England you don't need to worry about that since our stuff is designed to handle higher voltages. |
So we're okay for anything that has a plug, as long as we have adapters? Even stuff like the PC, DS, soldering iron, shaver, etc are all okay to use without a converter? |
Brits coming to Korea only need plug adapters = YES.
Some electronic stuff (oscilloscope as an example) may be a bit wonky due due changes in frequency (50hz in the UK and 60hz here) but it won't hurt them.
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tatertot
Joined: 21 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
Brits coming to Korea only need plug adapters = YES.
Some electronic stuff (oscilloscope as an example) may be a bit wonky due due changes in frequency (50hz in the UK and 60hz here) but it won't hurt them. |
Until now, I just assumed that South Korea used 50Hz power. After seeing your post, I looked it up, and you are right! I didn't realize any countries used 220V, 60Hz AC power. |
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