Comments on: Can I use my American flat iron in England? http://jolienadine.com/blog/2008/05/28/can-i-use-my-american-flat-iron-in-england/ The No Preaching, No Lies, Advice-You-'ll-Actually-Use Beauty Blog Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:17:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Helene http://jolienadine.com/blog/2008/05/28/can-i-use-my-american-flat-iron-in-england/#comment-1512 Helene Thu, 29 May 2008 03:40:07 +0000 http://jolienadine.com/blog/2008/05/28/can-i-use-my-american-flat-iron-in-england/#comment-1512 A hair dryer is too powerfull to be used with a normal converter. You would probably need a 1500 Watts converter not to kill your beloved hair dryer. And maybe the same could be said about the straight iron (no experience for that...). A hair dryer is too powerfull to be used with a normal converter. You would probably need a 1500 Watts converter not to kill your beloved hair dryer. And maybe the same could be said about the straight iron (no experience for that…).

]]> By: TJ http://jolienadine.com/blog/2008/05/28/can-i-use-my-american-flat-iron-in-england/#comment-1508 TJ Wed, 28 May 2008 22:22:58 +0000 http://jolienadine.com/blog/2008/05/28/can-i-use-my-american-flat-iron-in-england/#comment-1508 All of the previous comment is correct, with the small caveat that I have had more than one appliance die even using a converter. Neither was a dual voltage one, but I have had to bid adieu to a hair dryer and a straight iron using a converter, so if it's a longer trip than a few days, I'd spring for a British version. All of the previous comment is correct, with the small caveat that I have had more than one appliance die even using a converter. Neither was a dual voltage one, but I have had to bid adieu to a hair dryer and a straight iron using a converter, so if it’s a longer trip than a few days, I’d spring for a British version.

]]> By: My Inner French Girl http://jolienadine.com/blog/2008/05/28/can-i-use-my-american-flat-iron-in-england/#comment-1505 My Inner French Girl Wed, 28 May 2008 19:39:53 +0000 http://jolienadine.com/blog/2008/05/28/can-i-use-my-american-flat-iron-in-england/#comment-1505 Bonjour, Nadine! Just so you know, the voltage here in the US is between 100V-125V. In the UK, however, and in many parts of the world (including Asia), the voltage is 220V or 240V. That means that you have DOUBLE the electricity coursing through your appliance in the UK as you do here, causing any US-made appliances made ONLY with 110 V plugs to basically fry themselves. You needn't buy another UK-based appliance to replace yours. First, check to make sure that your flatiron will ONLY take 100-125 V power supplies. Most of the time you'll find the info on the handle or somewhere else on the appliance. It'll be all that little text engraved on the surface, right where it says where the item was made, the UL number, the DANGER warning, etc. It should say something like 120V or 110V somewhere on there. If it's 125V or less, you only need to buy a POWER CONVERTER. Otherwise, when you get to the UK, their 220V will screw up your poor 120V flatiron. <i>However</i>, many, many appliances made in the last few years (especially those meant for travel) have now been manufactured with dual-voltage capabilities. Nearly all laptops have that option, for example, as does my mom's curling iron. It'll then say something like 100-240V on the appliance. (On laptops, it'll usually say it on the adapter itself.) That means that your appliance will work just fine with UK's power supply. Sometimes, the appliance itself will make the adjustment automatically between the two voltages. Other times, you'll need to flip a switch. (It's easy enough to do -- just flip the switch to either the 100~ or 200~ V, depending on what the local voltage requirements are.) If you do have a dual-voltage appliance, you'll probably just need a POWER ADAPTER. UK plugs are the round-pin type; American appliances have flat pins. Your appliance's voltage requirements are fine, but you won't be able to fit the plug into UK outlets. You can get <b>power adapters</b> at most travel stores, either online or off-. You can also try home improvement stores like Lowe's or Home Depot; Target; and hardware stores. <b>Power converters</b> can be found at travel stores and possibly home improvement/hardware stores. Hope that helps! Salut, Marjorie Bonjour, Nadine! Just so you know, the voltage here in the US is between 100V-125V. In the UK, however, and in many parts of the world (including Asia), the voltage is 220V or 240V. That means that you have DOUBLE the electricity coursing through your appliance in the UK as you do here, causing any US-made appliances made ONLY with 110 V plugs to basically fry themselves.

You needn’t buy another UK-based appliance to replace yours. First, check to make sure that your flatiron will ONLY take 100-125 V power supplies. Most of the time you’ll find the info on the handle or somewhere else on the appliance. It’ll be all that little text engraved on the surface, right where it says where the item was made, the UL number, the DANGER warning, etc. It should say something like 120V or 110V somewhere on there. If it’s 125V or less, you only need to buy a POWER CONVERTER. Otherwise, when you get to the UK, their 220V will screw up your poor 120V flatiron.

However, many, many appliances made in the last few years (especially those meant for travel) have now been manufactured with dual-voltage capabilities. Nearly all laptops have that option, for example, as does my mom’s curling iron. It’ll then say something like 100-240V on the appliance. (On laptops, it’ll usually say it on the adapter itself.) That means that your appliance will work just fine with UK’s power supply.

Sometimes, the appliance itself will make the adjustment automatically between the two voltages. Other times, you’ll need to flip a switch. (It’s easy enough to do — just flip the switch to either the 100~ or 200~ V, depending on what the local voltage requirements are.)

If you do have a dual-voltage appliance, you’ll probably just need a POWER ADAPTER. UK plugs are the round-pin type; American appliances have flat pins. Your appliance’s voltage requirements are fine, but you won’t be able to fit the plug into UK outlets.

You can get power adapters at most travel stores, either online or off-. You can also try home improvement stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot; Target; and hardware stores. Power converters can be found at travel stores and possibly home improvement/hardware stores.

Hope that helps!

Salut,
Marjorie

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