Adapter vs Converter: What's the Difference?
A plug adapter changes the shape of your plug so it fits a foreign socket; a voltage converter changes the voltage so a device built for one voltage can run on another.
Travel Power Guides
Short, honest answers to the questions travelers actually ask.
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Adapters & plugs
Guides: 3Voltage & labels
Guides: 5Converters & appliances
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Quick answers
What Does "100–240V" Mean? (Dual Voltage Explained)
An input rating of 100-240V covers nominal voltages within that range. Confirm the frequency, plug, grounding and exact model instructions separately; the range is not permission to use every outlet.
What Happens If You Plug 110V Into 220V?
A 110–120V-only device plugged into 220–240V receives roughly double the voltage it was built for, which can make it overheat, smoke, or catch fire.
Step-Up vs Step-Down Converters
A step-down converter lowers high voltage (e.g. 230V → 120V) for a low-voltage device; a step-up converter raises low voltage (120V → 230V) for a high-voltage device.
What Wattage Converter Do I Need?
Confirm the permitted load with both manufacturers. PlugVoltage multiplies a known input load by 1.25 as an estimate; 25% is not a universal safety margin or approval to use a converter.
Brazil: 127V or 220V?
Brazil uses multiple nominal systems, including 127V and 220V, at 60Hz. National evidence does not verify a city or hotel outlet; confirm the exact supply locally.
Mixed-Voltage & Plug-Shape Traps When Traveling
Some countries combine unusual voltage with familiar-looking plugs — the Philippines (230V nominal, Type A/B), Thailand (230V with US-shaped sockets), Japan (100V with a 50/60Hz split), and Brazil (127V vs 220V by city) are the classic traps.
USB-C, GaN & Portable Charging Abroad (Hub)
Check the wall charger’s AC INPUT separately from USB output. Match the local supply, frequency, plug and grounding, then your device’s charging requirements.
Are All USB Chargers Dual Voltage?
USB does not establish an AC input rating. Check your actual charger’s INPUT, frequency, plug, grounding and manufacturer instructions before use.
USB-C and GaN Travel Chargers Abroad
A GaN or USB-C marking does not confirm mains compatibility. Check the actual AC INPUT and manufacturer instructions, then the USB output your device requires.
Hair Dryers, Kettles, and Irons Abroad: Why They Are High Risk
High-watt heating devices are the riskiest travel appliances because a voltage mismatch can overheat them quickly; a plug adapter alone is never enough.
Where Is My Device's Voltage Label?
Look on the underside of the device, on the power plug itself, or on the charger/power brick — find the line that starts with "INPUT".
Do You Need a Universal Travel Adapter?
A universal travel adapter is worth it if you visit several plug regions, but it only changes the plug shape — it does not convert voltage, so it never makes a single-voltage device safe on the wrong voltage.
Plug Letter Types by Country (A–O System Guide)
The A–O plug-letter system names socket shapes, not voltage safety. North America and Japan use Type A/B; most of Europe uses Type C/E/F; the UK and much of the former British Empire use Type G.