Europe Travel Tips: Travel Transformer vs. Power Converter

Some people ask if they should bring a travel transformer to Europe or a power converter. A lot of people think that a converter and a transformer are just the same thing. Part of the list of things in a typical travel kit would include both of these two items, which basically raises the question of which one to bring and if there’s any difference between these two things at all.

Well, a travel transformer and a power converter may seem to bring the same results but the general public should know that there is a significant underlying difference. That singular difference can spell convenience for the entire duration of the European trip or the fatal end of the gizmo that was just plugged into the wall bringing up the fancy fireworks – not to mention a nice dinner by candle light right in your hotel room.

Here’s the big difference – a travel transformer changes the AC current from a higher voltage to a lower voltage. On the other hand, a power converter only reduces the power from a high 220 volts to a lower 110 volts. The travel transformer is recommended for anyone traveling to Europe while using a power converter is definitely not advisable.

A travel transformer actually changes the 220-volt European electricity to the usual 110 volts that American gadgets are designed for. Converting from one voltage to another is safe both for the user and the appliances or gadgets that tourists bring along. However, in case a transformer starts to hum or get hot it simply means that its load is maxed out. The solution of course is to purchase a bigger travel transformer that can supply the needed power.

As stated earlier, a converter cuts the European 220 volts in half thus producing 110 volts. Many people think that there should be no problem with this but in fact, this process can indeed fry the equipment that’s plugged in. The way a converter cuts the power doesn’t work well with the behavior of AC electricity. This means that if a traveler can’t live without a hair dryer then get a good-sized travel transformer.