Continuous use power converter? [closed]
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
I am moving from the US to New Zealand, and I’m trying to figure out what electrical/electronic devices I can take with me. I know I just need an adapter for my 100-240v devices, but my question is about 110v only devices.
There are a ton of converters that I can get on Amazon, but I’m not sure what is safe for continuous use. Everything I’ve read so far says using 240v to 110v converters are fine, but shouldn’t be plugged in at all times. Is that true? Are there converters that are safe to be plugged in all the time?
power
asked Feb 27 at 17:06
user2628438
132
closed as off-topic by Kate Gregory, Newton, CGCampbell, Itai, David Richerby Feb 27 at 21:54
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions about immigration or moving for extended periods of time (studies or employment, among others) are off-topic. Our sister site, Expatriates Stack Exchange might be a better place to ask. See also the meta post Is it OK to ask questions about immigration?." – Kate Gregory, CGCampbell, Itai, David Richerby
 |Â
show 3 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
I am moving from the US to New Zealand, and I’m trying to figure out what electrical/electronic devices I can take with me. I know I just need an adapter for my 100-240v devices, but my question is about 110v only devices.
There are a ton of converters that I can get on Amazon, but I’m not sure what is safe for continuous use. Everything I’ve read so far says using 240v to 110v converters are fine, but shouldn’t be plugged in at all times. Is that true? Are there converters that are safe to be plugged in all the time?
power
asked Feb 27 at 17:06
user2628438
132
closed as off-topic by Kate Gregory, Newton, CGCampbell, Itai, David Richerby Feb 27 at 21:54
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions about immigration or moving for extended periods of time (studies or employment, among others) are off-topic. Our sister site, Expatriates Stack Exchange might be a better place to ask. See also the meta post Is it OK to ask questions about immigration?." – Kate Gregory, CGCampbell, Itai, David Richerby
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it's more about electric converters than travel,
– Newton
Feb 27 at 17:31
2
@Newton I've never used an electric converter except when traveling.
– phoog
Feb 27 at 17:37
just thought the folks at electronics.stackexchange would better tell about the continuous usage
– Newton
Feb 27 at 17:57
I have this issue here in Brazil. You need to evaluate the power of the converter. For example, for a refrigerator, you will need some more "strong". One thing that I hear and I am not sure if it is right: when you are using converter, you will spend more energy...
– Marcel P.
Feb 27 at 18:01
No need to vote to close this. Give it your best answer, but to the OP - I would recommend asking this on the electronics site where the users could offer a more technical explanation.
– Andre
Feb 27 at 19:05
 |Â
show 3 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
I am moving from the US to New Zealand, and I’m trying to figure out what electrical/electronic devices I can take with me. I know I just need an adapter for my 100-240v devices, but my question is about 110v only devices.
There are a ton of converters that I can get on Amazon, but I’m not sure what is safe for continuous use. Everything I’ve read so far says using 240v to 110v converters are fine, but shouldn’t be plugged in at all times. Is that true? Are there converters that are safe to be plugged in all the time?
power
asked Feb 27 at 17:06
user2628438
132
I am moving from the US to New Zealand, and I’m trying to figure out what electrical/electronic devices I can take with me. I know I just need an adapter for my 100-240v devices, but my question is about 110v only devices.
There are a ton of converters that I can get on Amazon, but I’m not sure what is safe for continuous use. Everything I’ve read so far says using 240v to 110v converters are fine, but shouldn’t be plugged in at all times. Is that true? Are there converters that are safe to be plugged in all the time?
power
power
asked Feb 27 at 17:06
user2628438
132
asked Feb 27 at 17:06
user2628438
132
asked Feb 27 at 17:06
user2628438
132
asked Feb 27 at 17:06
user2628438
132
asked Feb 27 at 17:06
user2628438
132
132
closed as off-topic by Kate Gregory, Newton, CGCampbell, Itai, David Richerby Feb 27 at 21:54
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions about immigration or moving for extended periods of time (studies or employment, among others) are off-topic. Our sister site, Expatriates Stack Exchange might be a better place to ask. See also the meta post Is it OK to ask questions about immigration?." – Kate Gregory, CGCampbell, Itai, David Richerby
closed as off-topic by Kate Gregory, Newton, CGCampbell, Itai, David Richerby Feb 27 at 21:54
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions about immigration or moving for extended periods of time (studies or employment, among others) are off-topic. Our sister site, Expatriates Stack Exchange might be a better place to ask. See also the meta post Is it OK to ask questions about immigration?." – Kate Gregory, CGCampbell, Itai, David Richerby
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it's more about electric converters than travel,
– Newton
Feb 27 at 17:31
2
@Newton I've never used an electric converter except when traveling.
– phoog
Feb 27 at 17:37
just thought the folks at electronics.stackexchange would better tell about the continuous usage
– Newton
Feb 27 at 17:57
I have this issue here in Brazil. You need to evaluate the power of the converter. For example, for a refrigerator, you will need some more "strong". One thing that I hear and I am not sure if it is right: when you are using converter, you will spend more energy...
– Marcel P.
Feb 27 at 18:01
No need to vote to close this. Give it your best answer, but to the OP - I would recommend asking this on the electronics site where the users could offer a more technical explanation.
– Andre
Feb 27 at 19:05
 |Â
show 3 more comments
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it's more about electric converters than travel,
– Newton
Feb 27 at 17:31
2
@Newton I've never used an electric converter except when traveling.
– phoog
Feb 27 at 17:37
just thought the folks at electronics.stackexchange would better tell about the continuous usage
– Newton
Feb 27 at 17:57
I have this issue here in Brazil. You need to evaluate the power of the converter. For example, for a refrigerator, you will need some more "strong". One thing that I hear and I am not sure if it is right: when you are using converter, you will spend more energy...
– Marcel P.
Feb 27 at 18:01
No need to vote to close this. Give it your best answer, but to the OP - I would recommend asking this on the electronics site where the users could offer a more technical explanation.
– Andre
Feb 27 at 19:05
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it's more about electric converters than travel,
– Newton
Feb 27 at 17:31
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it's more about electric converters than travel,
– Newton
Feb 27 at 17:31
2
2
@Newton I've never used an electric converter except when traveling.
– phoog
Feb 27 at 17:37
@Newton I've never used an electric converter except when traveling.
– phoog
Feb 27 at 17:37
just thought the folks at electronics.stackexchange would better tell about the continuous usage
– Newton
Feb 27 at 17:57
just thought the folks at electronics.stackexchange would better tell about the continuous usage
– Newton
Feb 27 at 17:57
I have this issue here in Brazil. You need to evaluate the power of the converter. For example, for a refrigerator, you will need some more "strong". One thing that I hear and I am not sure if it is right: when you are using converter, you will spend more energy...
– Marcel P.
Feb 27 at 18:01
I have this issue here in Brazil. You need to evaluate the power of the converter. For example, for a refrigerator, you will need some more "strong". One thing that I hear and I am not sure if it is right: when you are using converter, you will spend more energy...
– Marcel P.
Feb 27 at 18:01
No need to vote to close this. Give it your best answer, but to the OP - I would recommend asking this on the electronics site where the users could offer a more technical explanation.
– Andre
Feb 27 at 19:05
No need to vote to close this. Give it your best answer, but to the OP - I would recommend asking this on the electronics site where the users could offer a more technical explanation.
– Andre
Feb 27 at 19:05
 |Â
show 3 more comments
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
It isn't recommended that you use any such power converter for continuous use. They are intended for shorter-term use only. They are also much less efficient than power supplies and devices designed for the higher voltage to begin with.
Most devices with external power supplies can be solved by buying power supplies for the New Zealand voltage. This will likely be less expensive than a voltage converter would cost.
Some devices like hair dryers, curling irons, toasters, etc. draw large amounts of power and it will make more sense to sell your US equipment in the States, and buy new devices in New Zealand.
answered Feb 27 at 18:51
Jim MacKenzie
14.6k44075
Hair dryers usually have a 220V/110V knob somewhere.
– Janka
Feb 27 at 23:20
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
If you have to convert voltage for long term use I would reccomend an isolating transformer with appropriate ratings. Note that most transformers have two ratings, a continuous rating and an intermittant rating.
I reccommend an isolating transformer because with an autotransformer if the "neutral" connection fails under light load you can see the input voltage on the output.
In the UK we get "Yellow brick" transformers used on construction sites which are 240V to 110V isolating transformers and are reasonablly affordable. For example https://www.screwfix.com/p/portable-transformer-with-2-output-sockets-3kva/84144 which has an intermittant rating of 3KVA and a continuous rating of 1.5KVA. No idea if you can get anything similar in NZ.
Honestly though it has to be a pretty special appliance for it to be worth it.
answered Feb 27 at 20:39
Peter Green
4,6921224
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
It isn't recommended that you use any such power converter for continuous use. They are intended for shorter-term use only. They are also much less efficient than power supplies and devices designed for the higher voltage to begin with.
Most devices with external power supplies can be solved by buying power supplies for the New Zealand voltage. This will likely be less expensive than a voltage converter would cost.
Some devices like hair dryers, curling irons, toasters, etc. draw large amounts of power and it will make more sense to sell your US equipment in the States, and buy new devices in New Zealand.
answered Feb 27 at 18:51
Jim MacKenzie
14.6k44075
Hair dryers usually have a 220V/110V knob somewhere.
– Janka
Feb 27 at 23:20
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
It isn't recommended that you use any such power converter for continuous use. They are intended for shorter-term use only. They are also much less efficient than power supplies and devices designed for the higher voltage to begin with.
Most devices with external power supplies can be solved by buying power supplies for the New Zealand voltage. This will likely be less expensive than a voltage converter would cost.
Some devices like hair dryers, curling irons, toasters, etc. draw large amounts of power and it will make more sense to sell your US equipment in the States, and buy new devices in New Zealand.
answered Feb 27 at 18:51
Jim MacKenzie
14.6k44075
Hair dryers usually have a 220V/110V knob somewhere.
– Janka
Feb 27 at 23:20
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
It isn't recommended that you use any such power converter for continuous use. They are intended for shorter-term use only. They are also much less efficient than power supplies and devices designed for the higher voltage to begin with.
Most devices with external power supplies can be solved by buying power supplies for the New Zealand voltage. This will likely be less expensive than a voltage converter would cost.
Some devices like hair dryers, curling irons, toasters, etc. draw large amounts of power and it will make more sense to sell your US equipment in the States, and buy new devices in New Zealand.
answered Feb 27 at 18:51
Jim MacKenzie
14.6k44075
It isn't recommended that you use any such power converter for continuous use. They are intended for shorter-term use only. They are also much less efficient than power supplies and devices designed for the higher voltage to begin with.
Most devices with external power supplies can be solved by buying power supplies for the New Zealand voltage. This will likely be less expensive than a voltage converter would cost.
Some devices like hair dryers, curling irons, toasters, etc. draw large amounts of power and it will make more sense to sell your US equipment in the States, and buy new devices in New Zealand.
answered Feb 27 at 18:51
Jim MacKenzie
14.6k44075
answered Feb 27 at 18:51
Jim MacKenzie
14.6k44075
answered Feb 27 at 18:51
Jim MacKenzie
14.6k44075
answered Feb 27 at 18:51
Jim MacKenzie
14.6k44075
14.6k44075
Hair dryers usually have a 220V/110V knob somewhere.
– Janka
Feb 27 at 23:20
add a comment |Â
Hair dryers usually have a 220V/110V knob somewhere.
– Janka
Feb 27 at 23:20
Hair dryers usually have a 220V/110V knob somewhere.
– Janka
Feb 27 at 23:20
Hair dryers usually have a 220V/110V knob somewhere.
– Janka
Feb 27 at 23:20
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
If you have to convert voltage for long term use I would reccomend an isolating transformer with appropriate ratings. Note that most transformers have two ratings, a continuous rating and an intermittant rating.
I reccommend an isolating transformer because with an autotransformer if the "neutral" connection fails under light load you can see the input voltage on the output.
In the UK we get "Yellow brick" transformers used on construction sites which are 240V to 110V isolating transformers and are reasonablly affordable. For example https://www.screwfix.com/p/portable-transformer-with-2-output-sockets-3kva/84144 which has an intermittant rating of 3KVA and a continuous rating of 1.5KVA. No idea if you can get anything similar in NZ.
Honestly though it has to be a pretty special appliance for it to be worth it.
answered Feb 27 at 20:39
Peter Green
4,6921224
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
If you have to convert voltage for long term use I would reccomend an isolating transformer with appropriate ratings. Note that most transformers have two ratings, a continuous rating and an intermittant rating.
I reccommend an isolating transformer because with an autotransformer if the "neutral" connection fails under light load you can see the input voltage on the output.
In the UK we get "Yellow brick" transformers used on construction sites which are 240V to 110V isolating transformers and are reasonablly affordable. For example https://www.screwfix.com/p/portable-transformer-with-2-output-sockets-3kva/84144 which has an intermittant rating of 3KVA and a continuous rating of 1.5KVA. No idea if you can get anything similar in NZ.
Honestly though it has to be a pretty special appliance for it to be worth it.
answered Feb 27 at 20:39
Peter Green
4,6921224
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
If you have to convert voltage for long term use I would reccomend an isolating transformer with appropriate ratings. Note that most transformers have two ratings, a continuous rating and an intermittant rating.
I reccommend an isolating transformer because with an autotransformer if the "neutral" connection fails under light load you can see the input voltage on the output.
In the UK we get "Yellow brick" transformers used on construction sites which are 240V to 110V isolating transformers and are reasonablly affordable. For example https://www.screwfix.com/p/portable-transformer-with-2-output-sockets-3kva/84144 which has an intermittant rating of 3KVA and a continuous rating of 1.5KVA. No idea if you can get anything similar in NZ.
Honestly though it has to be a pretty special appliance for it to be worth it.
answered Feb 27 at 20:39
Peter Green
4,6921224
If you have to convert voltage for long term use I would reccomend an isolating transformer with appropriate ratings. Note that most transformers have two ratings, a continuous rating and an intermittant rating.
I reccommend an isolating transformer because with an autotransformer if the "neutral" connection fails under light load you can see the input voltage on the output.
In the UK we get "Yellow brick" transformers used on construction sites which are 240V to 110V isolating transformers and are reasonablly affordable. For example https://www.screwfix.com/p/portable-transformer-with-2-output-sockets-3kva/84144 which has an intermittant rating of 3KVA and a continuous rating of 1.5KVA. No idea if you can get anything similar in NZ.
Honestly though it has to be a pretty special appliance for it to be worth it.
answered Feb 27 at 20:39
Peter Green
4,6921224
answered Feb 27 at 20:39
Peter Green
4,6921224
answered Feb 27 at 20:39
Peter Green
4,6921224
answered Feb 27 at 20:39
Peter Green
4,6921224
4,6921224
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
Clash Royale CLAN TAG
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it's more about electric converters than travel,
– Newton
Feb 27 at 17:31
2
@Newton I've never used an electric converter except when traveling.
– phoog
Feb 27 at 17:37
just thought the folks at electronics.stackexchange would better tell about the continuous usage
– Newton
Feb 27 at 17:57
I have this issue here in Brazil. You need to evaluate the power of the converter. For example, for a refrigerator, you will need some more "strong". One thing that I hear and I am not sure if it is right: when you are using converter, you will spend more energy...
– Marcel P.
Feb 27 at 18:01
No need to vote to close this. Give it your best answer, but to the OP - I would recommend asking this on the electronics site where the users could offer a more technical explanation.
– Andre
Feb 27 at 19:05