# US \> UK electricity question... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 28, 2003, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-uk-electricity-question/221427 "2003-12-28T17:50:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rex\_Fenestrarum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rex_fenestrarum/32/7265_2.png) [@Rex\_Fenestrarum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rex_Fenestrarum)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-uk-electricity-question/221427/1 "2003-12-28T17:50:48Z")
Hi-diddley-ho, suferinos! I was lucky enough to receive a Canon Powershot S400 for Christmas. I live in the USA. My GF and I are going to London in early February. So here’s my question… The battery charger for this camera clearly states this on the bottom: INPUT: 100V-240V AC 50/60HZ 7.5VA(100V) -10.5VA(240V) OUTPUT: 4.2V DC 0.5A I’m assuming that the charger can handle the UK’s 220 electricity system. Is this correct? I am also assuming that all I’ll need is a “plug converter” (to change the shape of the plug) as opposed to the voltage converter + plug converter. Is this also correct? Lastly, which is better for most appliances - running them through a voltage converter or using the “native” 220V (assuming they support higher voltages)? Will batteries charge faster at 220V? Will my battery charger freak out if I use it at 220V then come home and use it at 110V again? What’s the Straight Dope on all this? And yes, I used the search and found nuttin’. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-uk-electricity-question/221427/2 "2003-12-28T18:09:49Z")
Yes, you can use it in the UK and all you need is a mechanical adapter which is worth about 50 cents but which you can buy in the UK for £15 ($250) or something like that. Prices in the UK are outrageous. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-uk-electricity-question/221427/3 "2003-12-28T18:14:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rex Fenestrarum \* > \*\*I’m assuming that the charger can handle the UK’s 220 electricity system. Is this correct? I am also assuming that all I’ll need is a “plug converter” (to change the shape of the plug) as opposed to the voltage converter + plug converter. Is this also correct? \*\* Yes, correct on all counts. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rex Fenestrarum \* > **Lastly, which is better for most appliances - running them through a voltage converter or using the “native” 220V (assuming they support higher voltages)? Will batteries charge faster at 220V? Will my battery charger freak out if I use it at 220V then come home and use it at 110V again? What’s the Straight Dope on all this?** In mot cases, it is best if the power supply can handle “native” voltage, as many cheaper step-down voltage converters work by chopping off the 220 V sine wave, creating a 110 V pseudosquare wave, which is bad for reactive loads, such as the transformers in power supplies. Resistive loads, like hair dryers and travel irons don’t care. Better step-down converters actually use a transformer, but cost more per watt. These are essentially transparent to devices with reactive loads, though. ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-uk-electricity-question/221427/4 "2003-12-28T18:37:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sailor \* > \*\*Yes, you can use it in the UK and all you need is a mechanical adapter which is worth about 50 cents but which you can buy in the UK for £15 ($250) or something like that. Prices in the UK are outrageous. \*\* I assume that this a joke. I have had a quick look on the web and found one of these plug converters for £5 ($ 8 ) . ---
**Author:** ![Rex\_Fenestrarum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rex_fenestrarum/32/7265_2.png) [@Rex\_Fenestrarum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rex_Fenestrarum)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-uk-electricity-question/221427/5 "2003-12-28T18:42:16Z")
And I found one for $2.49: [http://www.voltageconverters.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=GS2](http://www.voltageconverters.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=GS2) Thanks for the info (so far!) ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-uk-electricity-question/221427/6 "2003-12-28T19:02:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rayne Man \* > I assume that this a joke. I have had a quick look on the web and found one of these plug converters for £5 ($ 8 ) . So it is overpriced by a factor of 16 before you consider shipping costs. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rex Fenestrarum \* > And I found one for $2.49: > [http://www.voltageconverters.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=GS2](http://www.voltageconverters.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=GS2) > > Thanks for the info (so far!) $2.49 + $7.00 for shipping. Radio Shack also has them at inflated prices. If you have plenty of time you can get them for under $1.00 in the US or the UK. If you need it _now_ then you will probably pay a premium. I remember losing one in Hong Kong airport and needing one right there and then. You pay. ---
**Author:** ![Patr100](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@Patr100](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patr100)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-uk-electricity-question/221427/7 "2003-12-28T21:05:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sailor \* > \*\*Yes, you can use it in the UK and all you need is a mechanical adapter which is worth about 50 cents but which you can buy in the UK for £15 ($250) or something like that. Prices in the UK are outrageous. \*\* £15 is about $25 - I think a zero got added. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-uk-electricity-question/221427/8 "2003-12-28T23:59:01Z")
I got mine for $5 on Yonge Street in Toronto… and I thought that was a bit overpriced. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-uk-electricity-question/221427/9 "2003-12-29T00:01:41Z")
I wouldn’t rely on getting a US-UK adaptor in the UK…the other way is fine, for Brits going on holiday, but there’s virtually no demand for the ‘foriegn’ version…try to get one before you leave it possible. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-uk-electricity-question/221427/10 "2003-12-29T02:13:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GorillaMan \* > I wouldn’t rely on getting a US-UK adaptor in the UK…the other way is fine, for Brits going on holiday, but there’s virtually no demand for the ‘foriegn’ version…try to get one before you leave it possible. I have bought several in London and not had much problem finding them. I have bought them at small and large hardware stores and even at stall at outdoor markets. I lose them as fast as I buy them. BTW, they come with a fuse. The cheaper ones have a smaller fuse which is sufficient for the average power a camera or computer may draw but my computer’s power supply blows the fuse with the initial inrush so I had to short the fuse with a piece of wire. That’s the reason I always travel with a tool kit and some supplies like cable and insulating tape. I always seem to need them. I also know that you can insert a European plug (two round pins) in an English socket if you put something in the ground socket to open the holes. I have done this countless times. Witha bit of cable and insulating tape and a screwdriver you can rig something to the plug of any other device in the room like the electric teapot found in english hotels (I love that). No reason to pay $8 for a 50 cent adapter. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-uk-electricity-question/221427/11 "2003-12-29T13:18:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sailor \* > \*\*…so I had to short the fuse with a piece of wire… \*\* !!! Couldn’t you just get a 13A fuse!!! ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-uk-electricity-question/221427/12 "2003-12-29T14:08:28Z")
They are not electric teapots , they are electric kettles. You don’t make the actual tea in them , you just boil the water. ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-uk-electricity-question/221427/13 "2003-12-29T14:12:17Z")
As well as traveling with a tool kit and insulating tape have you drawn up your will yet. With all that messing around with 240 volts I don’t rate your life expectancy too high as well as probably burning down the hotel. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-uk-electricity-question/221427/14 "2003-12-29T14:18:17Z")
Kettle is the correct word. I love the idea which you only find in the UK. \>\> Couldn’t you just get a 13A fuse!!! Not on short notice late at night when I needed it. A thin strand of wire should be a reasonable protection. Not to mention that the rest of the world seems to get by with no fuses in their plugs and seem to be doing OK. I hate those massive UK plugs. ---
**Author:** ![netscape\_6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8c91f0/32.png) [@netscape\_6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/netscape_6)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-uk-electricity-question/221427/15 "2003-12-29T14:20:46Z")
Clearly this is all Telsa’s fault.