Author: Voltage guy

Let voltage fluctuation be a thing of the past with voltage converters

Even if our country provides stable voltage, the same is not true for many other parts of the world. Further, even within the United States, there are situations such as mechanical faults, perhaps arising out of human error or a natural calamity, whereby the voltage fluctuates significantly.
Now, such a situation can prove to be an absolute disaster for many of our everyday household electronic gadgets which are meant to run at particular voltages or voltage ranges. Any major fluctuation or deviation from the norm can simply lead to those gadgets completely malfunctioning altogether, with slim chances of getting them to work again.
In such a scenario, it is the Deluxe Automatic Voltage Regulator category of products that has eventually proven to be a complete godsend; with an absolute assurance with regard to maintenance of voltage at desired levels, these voltage converters make sure that power is supplied to your precious electronic gadgets, at just the right voltage – neither too much nor too less.
In this regard, it must also be said that these pioneering enterprises have also come out with a wide range of Step Up & Down Voltage Converter Transformer units that ensure, whichever way the fluctuation happens to be taking place, the same is suitably taken care of under all circumstances.
At the same time, given the technological knowledge and prowess that these companies obviously possess, they have used this ingenuity in coming out with various other useful electronic items that go beyond just the voltage converters mentioned above. For instance, they have launched a wide range of Region Code Free DVD players which ensure that no matter which part of the world you set up your DVD player to play your favorite DVDs, you will be able to do so with complete ease. On a similar note, you will find Multisystem LCD TV’s that are completely PAL, SECAM, and NTSC compatible, all across the world.
Obviously, all of this clearly points towards the broad endeavor and vision of these enterprises, which is to align ourselves better with a globalized environment. With connectivity playing such an important role today, coupled with the fact that this very connectivity comes about only when we have the requisite gadgets for the same, working in perfect order, it is clear that the efforts of these enterprises are in just the right directions.
Voltage guySeptember 10, 2014 Leave a comment

Never miss out on your favorite DVD movies, even while you are traveling abroad

While traveling abroad, a major peril that most travelers face is that of the inability to see their favorite DVD movies. This is because of the region-specific coding variation among DVDs around the world. Iif you are in America and have a large collection of DVDs that you might want to view while you are traveling to India, these DVDs have been encoded in such a way  you may simply be unable to view your DVD collection in the country that you are visiting on local DVD players.
But fret not! Enterprising businesses, realizing the increasingly globalized environment in which we are all functioning currently, have come out with region-code-free DVD players that let you play all DVDs, no matter where and how those DVDs may have been encoded. Further, these code-free DVD players are made in such a manner that they are highly portable; they take up little space and can also be transported from one place to another, including on long distance flights to other countries, with complete ease.
It is for this reason that these region code free DVD players have virtually taken the entire world of home entertainment by storm. In the past, entertainment avenues while traveling were restricted to the options available locally. Obviously, in places where the local options are either completely not to one’s taste, or worse, in a language that is totally alien to the person visiting, obviously DVDs from home serve as the sole entertainment avenue.
Given the arena within which these companies work, whereby they are increasingly looking to come out with intuitive products that make life a whole lot easier and better for the globe trotter, it should actually come as no surprise that they have also launched products such as voltage converters that essentially function as a deluxe automatic voltage regulator. The thought behind this product is the fact that voltage fluctuation is a definitive fact around many parts of the world; the electricity supply is neither stable nor at a consistent voltage. Given the fact that this inconsistency in voltage can actually prove disastrous for those gadgets (and also highly dangerous for the operators of these gadgets in an environment with fluctuating voltage), voltage regulators have eventually proven to be nothing short of a Godsend as far as the ability to operate diverse gadgets with complete ease is concerned.
Overall, if you look at the profile of the companies or businesses launching products of these kinds (or dealing in the same), you can easily see that they are well entrenched and have already made their mark as a supplier of top notch electrical items that make life easier, in a fast paced and increasingly globalized environment. It should thus come as no surprise that these companies are witnessing soaring valuations for themselves!
Voltage guySeptember 23, 2013 Leave a comment

Strategies For Moving To A Foreign Country

If you’re planning to pick up and move to another country, there are many things that you’ll need to do to prepare before you’re ready for the trip. It’s easy to forget some pretty major things during this time because it’s so exciting, and quite frankly, there’s just so much to remember. Follow along as we hit on the highlights—those things you can’t leave home without.
Don’t Forget Voltage Converters
The United States and Canada use a 100 volt electric currency rate, but many other countries use higher rates of 220 volts or even 240 volts in some situations. If you want to take all of your appliances with you, you’ll have to find voltage Converters so that they’ll work in your new country. In some instances, you might need more than a voltage adapter—you will probably also have to purchase Foreign Plug adapters. The sockets in other countries are shaped differently, and these adapters will insure that you’ll be able to plug in your appliances. It’s important to remember these things, or you’ll end up in your new country without a blow dryer, hot pot or an iron!
Don’t Forget Your Financial Information
It’s important as you transition to another country that you carefully organize all of your financial records and decide what you want to do with your balances and accounts. For instance, will you keep your current bank account and simply use an ATM in the new country to withdraw funds? How will make deposits? Do you need to set up automatic deposits before you leave? In other words, carefully think through everything as it relates to your financial life, and make sure that you take all of your important papers and documents with you.
Don’t Forget Your Medical Records
If you’re in the habit of keeping your medical records at your doctor’s office, be sure to contact them and ask for them so you can take them with you. It won’t be easy for your doctor to transfer your records to a new doctor in an entirely different country. What’s more, be certain that you’re informed about all of the various vaccinations that might be required for you to enter into the new country. Each country has different requirements, so be sure to check before you go.
By making sure that you have these important things—voltage Converters, international adapter plugs, your financial information and medical records—you’ll insure a smoother transition to your new country.
Voltage guyDecember 13, 2012 1

How to Use Travel Voltage Converters

One of the less-publicized factors of traveling abroad is the need for voltage converters to account for the differing electrical systems in Europe and Asia. If you’re planning to tote your favorite hair dryer, coffee maker and battery chargers on your overseas trip, you’ll also need to invest in the right voltage regulator and plug adapters to use with your appliances.
Without a voltage regulator, you run the risk of destroying your personal appliances and small electronics when you plug them in—if you can plug them in at all. Most countries have different plug configuration as well as different strengths and frequencies of electricity flowing through the circuits. But that doesn’t mean you have to leave your personal electronics at home, it just means you’ll have to do a little research and bring the right voltage converters and plug adapters along with you. Here’s how to make sure you’ve got the right stuff to run your electrical appliances when you travel.
  1. Check the electrical system and plug type you’ll need for the country or countries you’re planning to visit. There are references available online that list the plug types and voltages for most countries in the world.
  2. If you’re traveling from the U.S., which uses 110 V current, to most EU countries, you’ll need a step down converter in order to use your 110 V appliances with the 220 V electrical systems there.
  3. Purchase a plug adapter that will fit the outlets in the countries where you’ll be traveling. The plug configurations are designated by a letter code – the UK uses a G adapter, for example, while Albania, Italy and Sweden use a C adapter.
  4. Check your electronic device to learn its power requirements. A few, such as many hair dryers, are rated for both 110 and 220 volts. You won’t need a voltage regulator with those, just a plug adapter, but you should be sure that you’ve set the switch to the right type of voltage before plugging it in.
  5. Calculate the amount of wattage your device needs by multiplying the voltage by the amperage – both listed on a label on the device. If your cell phone charger is listed at 110 V and 2 A, for example, it requires 220 watts to run. Make sure that your voltage converter fits the wattage that you need. If it’s rated too low, your appliance won’t work. If it’s too high, you may short out your device.
  6. If you’re using a transformer or voltage converter, plug the device’s power cord into the power socket on the converter. Insert the plug for the converter into the correct plug adapter, and plug the adapter into the wall outlet.
If you travel often, invest in a deluxe automatic voltage regulator, which can handle conversions from 110 V to 220 V and vice versa, instead of a basic voltage converter. A plug adapter kit that includes adapters for use with several different electric plug configurations will save you from having to purchase multiple plugs.
Voltage guyFebruary 11, 2011 Leave a comment

The Advantages of Buying Electrical Appliances Online

With the explosion of online retailing there are very few things that cannot now be purchased online.  Sites for consumer goods range from the small niche local retailer, to auction sites to big brand online retailers to online malls.  The Internet is a fantastic source for products that are not available in your local are. You can also buy products in bulk and find some fantastic price deals. The purchase of major electrical appliances such as a multisystem TV can also be accomplished online. 
Buying Electrical Products Online
The biggest advantage to buying electrical products online is that you are able to browse at your leisure, visit as many sites you like, and look around for the best deal you can find—all without leaving your home. You’ll be able to compare prices and features easily, both within sites and between sites, and compare household name products and their lesser known counterparts.  You’ll also be able to select from products that may not be within your reach geographically if you were to buy from a store.
Another advantage to buying electrical products online is the array of technical data that’s available. For example, if you’re an electronics engineer who is looking for something to control an alternator, you would be able to find out that the deluxe automatic voltage regulator is better than the standard one or whether or not it will deal with the level of output you are working with. With the Internet you can look up the full range of technical specifications and read user reviews.
Internet shopping also helps when you don’t know exactly what you need. For instance, you might have a passion for a film that is only available as a limited distribution, and you’ve learned that you’ll need a player that can play DVDs from anywhere in the world. By doing a little research, you’ll learn that you’ll need to buy a region code free DVD player.
What are the Potential Pitfalls?
There might be times when seeing a demonstration of a product working is better than reading about it on an internet site. An example might be when you want to compare the picture quality of a Plasma v LCD TV, but that won’t be as important when you’re looking for single function items such as voltage converters.
Some electrical appliances might need to be installed by a qualified engineer, and this might make the purchase a two step process; first buy the product online, and then find a local installer.
No matter which electrical appliance you’re looking for—whether it’s voltage converters or a multi-system TV, you’ll do well to research your options online and then find a good online store to buy from.
Voltage guyFebruary 8, 2011 Leave a comment

Know When Voltage Converters are Necessary

Nowadays, with the wide spread of consumer electronics being sold all over the world via the Internet as well as increasing international travel, voltage converters are a necessary fact of life for many. Why are voltage converters needed? Here in the United States we use one electric current, whereas most of the rest of the world uses another. If you travel and bring electronic gadgets with you, or have bought electronic devices made for other parts of the world, you may need a voltage converter or deluxe automatic voltage regulator.
What do They do?
Voltage transformers and voltage converters change their electric current from 220/240 volt (used in foreign countries) to 110/120 volt (used in the USA), which is called a step down. There are step up voltage converters that change 110/120 volts to 220/240 volts and voltage regulator converters that can step up and step down, which are 10-220 volts 50/60 HZ that can be used anywhere. Knowing this can help you determine what kind of transformer or converter you will need to buy to fit your needs.
Checking Wattage
You will also need to know the correct wattage of any appliance in order to buy the correct converter. Usually this information is easy to find and is either etched into the device or shown on a sticker. The key is to buy a converter that is rated slightly higher in wattage than what is listed on your appliance.
Small vs. Large Gadgets
Keep in mind that cell phones or iPods will require much less wattage than say your laptop computer. If you are going to be using one converter for multiple gadgets make sure it supports the highest rated wattage item that you have. If you are traveling through multiple countries you will also want to buy international adapters plugs.
Other Things to Consider
International conversion standards are different for TVs and DVDs, which use codes. For these you may want purchase a multisystem TV or region code free DVD players.  Power conversion can also be an issue when it comes to high-power appliances like motors, compressor and generators. If you are planning on using appliances such as these, invest a bit more in deluxe automatic voltage regulator.
It would be great if the world could get together and just decide to use one voltage, but unfortunately this is not the case. If you want to insure that all your gadgets will function properly anywhere you are, be prepared with the proper voltage converter, deluxe automatic voltage regulator, and foreign plug adapters, and you won’t regret it.
Voltage guyJanuary 17, 2011 Leave a comment

Packing a Voltage Converter in Your Luggage is as Essential as Packing a Toothbrush

We live in a world that is increasingly global.  Whether we are living in the USA or any other country, the likelihood of life or business taking us overseas on vacation or to work is increasingly possible. Wherever anyone may travel, it’s increasingly possible there will be a need to pack a voltage converter or transformer in their luggage.
Overseas Travel and Electronics
Travelling for business purposes usually means taking a variety of electronic equipment. Business travelers often take computers or other essential equipment to prepare for the conference they may be attending.  Vacationers take hair dryers, electric razors and electronic equipment to play games or listen to music.
Voltage Differences between Different Countries
Those who travel regularly know that there are huge differences between the electrical voltages supplied between countries.  Some countries provide 110 volt electrical supplies, while others provide voltage that is 240 volts.
The Frustration of Equipment Not Working
Arriving in a country with electrical equipment and not being able to use it due to voltage differences can be very disheartening and even frustrating.   Packing a voltage converter and foreign plug adaptor is essential when carrying electronic equipment.
Converters and Adaptors
Deluxe automatic voltage regulators are superior converters that provide automatic and safe correction of voltage delivered to electrical equipment that meet the voltage requirements of the computer or other electrical equipment.   
International adaptor plugs are selected to suit the plug shape of the country of destination. Whether a plug is angled, straight, two pronged or three pronged, correct selection of the plug type will enable the transformer to be plugged into the wall socket and supply the correct voltage.
Leaving Home without a Converter
It is easier to purchase converters and adaptors in the country of origin, rather than the country of destination.   Many travelers know the frustration of finding their equipment does not work and being unable to find a suitable plug or converter for their equipment.  Shops and electronic stores usually carry international adaptors and convertors and plugs in stock and buying them well ahead of travel dates is sensible.
Online and store front retailers can provide the necessary advice and purchase assistance to customers, This advice enables the customer to buy the most suitable voltage converter, transformer or foreign adaptor plug necessary for the equipment they’re carrying overseas.  
Voltage guyJanuary 3, 2011 Leave a comment

Region Code Free DVD Players: An Increasingly Difficult To Find Commodity

Until the release of the Blue Ray Disc in 2006, DVD technology provided the most resilient and best quality medium for the distribution of motion pictures.  In order to provide a level of control over the release dates, the DVD Copy Control Association in California, was requiring the manufacturers of DVD players to incorporate the Regional Playback Control (RPC) system into the DVD players they distribute.  Since then the majority of DVD’s sold in shops are region locked.  DVD’s are rated according to the region that they are distributed in and may only be watched by players that are coded for that region. There are still older Region Code Free DVD players available on the market—usually as hardware in older model computer DVD drives.  All new computers must also incorporate Region Control into their new hardware.   Because of all these new regulations, it’s becoming increasingly more and more difficult to purchase a code free player.
The practice of restricting region sharing has been incorporated as a way of reducing pirated copies of movies being distributed, The concept of restricted regions existed in previous years with the release of movies on tapes in either the PAL or NTSC format, however, there are those  who claim that the practice is discriminatory and anti competitive.
Consumers who are determined to have the right to watch DVD’s regardless of their country of origin have created methods of turning locked region DVD players into Region code free DVD players.   Using either software or hardware modification, they modify the technology to unlock the device and enable the multi region operation of the player.  These methods are successful, but their ongoing success is variable.  It is not uncommon for a modified DVD player to revert back to its Region Coded Locked System and to display a sign indicating that a DVD cannot be played due to the region not being recognized.
It is legal to own region code free DVD players, however it is not legal to operate them for illegal purposes.   Consumers who modify their players, either by using software or hardware modifications, are encouraged to check with their state and national laws for further information about their rights.
New technology is being introduced in Region 1 DVDs to prevent them from being played on Region Code Free DVD players, and as you can imagine, this will only cause further restrictions to people who want to play region specific DVD’s.
Voltage guyDecember 26, 2010 Leave a comment

3 Easy Steps to a Home Theater Experience with Your New TV

  

Once you get an LCD TV, you’ll get hooked on it.  The vivid sharp images have transformed television viewing into a near cinematic experience for most folks.  Whether you get a multisystem TV or other set, you’ll want to create a set up that optimizes your experience.
People are so enthralled by LCD TVs that they are redesigning their living spaces in order to watch their favorite shows and movies in high comfort.  You don’t need a rear projector and fancy screen to create a theater-like setting in your home.  You just need a great TV and a good place to put it.   
If you want to add to your enjoyment by creating a cinematic experience, try these tips from the experts.  Read this over before you buy your television or any entertainment centers or chairs, and you’ll end up with a much better result. 
Measure Before You Buy
First figure out where your TV will go.  The viewing distances may be restricted by your room size, so consider the optimal distance between your sofa or chairs and the screen.  Figure about 8 feet for a 32 inch screen, 11 for a 45 inch screen, and 13 plus for a 55 inch screen. Measure your desired distance and then choose the appropriate size TV.  For example, I realized that my living room is just not wide enough for a huge screen, so we went for a Toshiba 32” multisystem TV that works just great for the two of us.  So consider your own situation. If you have a spacious area, you can simply decide what size TV you prefer and then figure where your seating should go. 
Now figure out your actual TV placement.  This also depends on your seating and viewing angle.  Do not place the television too high on the wall as it gets uncomfortable looking up for extended periods of time.  Put the TV so that when you are seated and looking at the screen, your eyes are directed right at the middle of the screen.
Now you have the basic measurements needed to get your TV and entertainment center or other TV stand.
Seating:  What Do You Prefer
As noted above, you’ll want to be at eye level with your television, so choose seating that complements the setup that you have created.  Do you want to sprawl on an over-sized sofa, or do you prefer to have a reclining chair or perhaps a bearskin rug for those romantic movies with your partner?  This is all up to you.
Lighting and Eye Strain Issues
Ophthalmologists, those eye experts who know all about eye strain, say that for television watch, room lighting should be 50 percent dimmer than the screen illumination.  You should make sure that lighting does not cause either reflections on the screen or glare.  They agree with what Mom always said—don’t watch in total darkness as the sharp contrast can cause fatigue, as can watching from an angle.  They suggest sitting in front of the set at a distance which is about four or five times the TV screen width, though those with poor vision might want to sit closer.
Some of my friends have gone to a lot of trouble with fancy backlighting for their plasma multisystem TV, but I am not sure that the results are worth the effort. To each his or her own, I say!  May you enjoy your own mini-theater your own way, with or without the popcorn!
Voltage guyDecember 1, 2010 Leave a comment

Watch Videos Worldwide with Multisystem TV

One of the hot topics in any expat group revolves around television and videos because nearly everyone wants to watch TV and movies at home, no matter where they may be living.
Last week someone wanted to know about multisystem TVs, which seems to be confusing more than a few folks.  Moving abroad always brings the opportunity to flex the mind a lot, since what you took for granted as “normal” at home turns out to be absent or different in the new country.  
Television is no exception.  There are weird abbreviations and odd numbers that are just as confusing as a new language.  Just as with the language, you need a dictionary or a translator in order to get by, or in this case, in order to buy what you need.
A little digging around brought us to this multisystem TV primer for enjoying television and at-home movies across the globe.
1.  How can I find out what TV standard my country uses?
Each country adopts a television standard for the display of lines of resolution which are identified by an abbreviation which is standard across the planet.   (The political and technical reasons are too vast to go into here.)
NTSC stands for National Television Standards Committee and is the standard for North America and Japan as well has half of Brazil.  This standard enables the display of up to 525 lines of resolution.
PAL stands for Phase Alternating Line, and it is the standard employed almost everywhere else in the world.  It can display 625 lines of resolution.  Most of the world that uses PAL uses just plain old PAL.  However, half of Brazil uses PAL-M, and its neighbors, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay use PAL-N. 
SECAM is the abbreviation for Sequential Color Memory, which is hardly used.  You can find it in France, parts of Greece, Africa, Russia, and Eastern Europe, and some other hidden corners of the world.  Any SECAN country’s system allows you to play PAL tapes in full color on a VCR, but PAL countries work fully only with true SECAM tapes and not MESECAM tapes.
If you are not sure what standard your current country uses, contact a local cable company or a shop that sells home electronics.
2.  How do I find out what standard my videotape is?
If you are not sure what standard your commercial videotaped movie is, just look on the back—it should be listed right there.
If you are going to record on a blank tape, no problem! When you buy a blank tape, it is just that—blank.  You can record any video standard on it.  Then that tape has that standard.  You might want to jot that on the label for future reference if you tend to move a lot!
3.  What if I want to watch a videotape from some other country?
This is where it gets tricky since those tapes come in all of the above mentioned standards, and all are incompatible with each other for the most part.  If you want to watch videos from abroad that do not match the same standard as your own, you will need to have a set up that will convert it.  In simple terms, you need a multisystem VCR and a multisystem TV.  Alternatively, you could use a Digital Video Standards Converter and a VCR with a built-in converter. 
What it boils down to is this:  Having a multisystem VCR and a multisystem TV is like having a totally reliable translator on hand all the time.  When you already have to deal with translating human language at the office or in shops, it’s good to know that you can go home and relax with your entertainment system and let it do all that work!
Voltage guyNovember 8, 2010 Leave a comment