Your hairdryer, razor, even your electric toothbrush won't work in Europe unless you take along a 220-volt convertor. Don't even think of plugging in your laptop before you have consulted your owner's manual or have an adapter to convert 220-volt outlets to 110-volt ones. Fortunately, you can find 220-voltage power supplies. Applications and uses for a 220-volt transformer abound.

Moving back to the United States after living in Europe? Your 220-volt appliances will require a 220-volt power supply. In the United States, appliances such as kitchen stoves and clothes dryers use 220-volt supply. However, smaller appliances such as mixers, microwaves, electric knives and such used in many foreign countries have wiring for 220-volt outlets and will need some kind of 220-volt converter when used in America where 110-volt systems are the norm. Whether you are converting your 110-volt or 220-volt electronics, some sources to turn to include:

1. The manufacturer's warranty and instructions for converting 220-volt appliances.

2. Your homeowners or renters insurance to see whether it covers your appliances when using a 220-volt transformer.

3. The warnings and instructions provided by the manufacturer of the 110-volt or 220-volt converter.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Review information about uses for 220-voltage power supplies

220-volt power supply distributors provide information on uses for power supplies. Appliance, computer and game manufacturers and dealers also may have recommendations for the converters their products require.

I recommend: GlobalSpec provides a good overview of power supplies and their various applications. The explanation goes into voltages, polarity, mounting power supplies and what to look for in purchasing power supplies and converters. Do It Yourself Computer Repair has an interesting discussion of power supplies as they pertain to computers.

Shop to find uses for 220-voltage power supplies, converters and transformers

Most 220-voltage power supply distributors include a description of uses for their products. A good way to find correct applications for these electronics is to read the product descriptions.

I recommend: Just Renew-It! tells how to use its 220-volt converter, including pictures of the product and accessories, as well as how to set up the device and check it for potential safety problems. World-Import.com provides pictures of power supply backup units, converters, adapters and transformers with prices and specifications.

Look for electrical devices that use either 110- or 220-voltage power supplies

To find uses and applications for power converters, look at appliances that you can purchase which use 110 or 220 volts. You can use some appliances with either power source. Many devices have internal power supplies that adapt AC voltage to DC voltage as required.

I recommend: DVD Overseas Electronics has an extensive list of appliances from dishwashers to razors and clock radios to insect killers that operate on 220 volt for those headed abroad. These appliances would normally operate on 110 volts in the United States and would require a 220-volt power supply if used overseas. East West International displays an equally-impressive list of 220-volt appliances along with adapters, transformers and 220v universal surge protectors.

Using 220 voltage for industrial, business or household appliances can be a challenge if you don't know where to look for back-up power supplies, converters and other accessories. Find all the supplies you need through several well-established online distributors. Use accessories and transformers to keep your 220-volt equipment running smoothly.

Convert 110 volt power supply for 220 volt electronics easily with transformers/converters. If you need transitional equipment for several machines, computers or other electronics, look for large-scale converters with different input and output levels.

1. Buy back up power sources that are guaranteed to keep your 220-volt equipment running smoothly.

2. Use 220 volt outlets with any 110-volt appliances with a power inverter.

3. Find any accessories for your 220-volt appliances or equipment through power supply distributors.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy a 220 volt transformer or converter

Depending on your conversion needs, you can get a transformer that works with any equipment of any size. Make sure the converter you choose takes the power input level your equipment requires. Look for converters that offer adjustable levels so you can use them for more than one piece of equipment at a time.

I recommend: Get a 220 volt converter from All Dual that operates as a dual system allowing you to convert 110 to 220 volt power or 220 to 110 volt power. Find voltage inverters that convert 12-Volt DC to 220 volt power from Voltage Converters.

Find 220 volt power supply and generators

Get back up generators for industrial or home use that meet the needs of all your 220 volt equipment and appliances. The next time the power goes out, you won't need to worry about blowing a fuse or worse. Find generators and power supplies that keep all your equipment running and protect them from power surges during outages.

I recommend: Get an industrial power supply from Lite Check with dual output levels. Buy a home back-up generator system from Back-Up Home Power. They have many 220v power generators from which to choose.

Get all the 220 voltage power supplies and accessories you need in one place

Buy fuses, plug adapters, converters, travel adapters and much more to meet all your 220V power supply needs from distributors that specialize in power supplies and appliances. Find your 220-volt supplies and accessories for office use through the power supply company with which you generally work.

I recommend: Find all the appliance supplies you need to convert 220 volt power at 220 Volt Appliances. Get travel adapters and other 220 volt power converters from Mind Logic.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you need to find the right power supply for your 220 volt appliances, start by talking to the dealers from whom you originally purchased the appliances. If they don't have the supplies you need, they should be able to direct you towards a trustworthy supply distributor.

High output 220 voltage power supplies are used when the voltage of the appliance and the voltage of the power source are not compatible. Countries around the world use two types of voltage: 110 and 220. North America, South America and Japan all use 110 while Europe and many other parts of the world use 220 voltage. A power converter or regulator may be used when traveling abroad or using foreign-made appliances. This helps to step up or step down the power supply to the correct voltage.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Voltage regulator

A voltage regulator is an electronic device that provides conversion from 110/120 volts to 220/240 volts. A regulator also stabilizes the current when the electrical source is not stable.

I recommend: RC-Cam provides a basic primer for understanding how to use a voltage regulator.

Step-up/step-down voltage transformer, dual voltage transformer

A step-up/step-down voltage transformer is a transformer that allows electrical currents to safely pass between appliances and outlets that are of a different voltage. Stepping down converts 110 to 220 and stepping up converts 220 to 110.

I recommend: Mind Logic provides information on a number of 220 volt power supplies including types of 220 voltage transformers.

Voltage converter

A voltage converter is a product similar to a voltage transformer in that is does the same job. The difference between these products is that a voltage converter is much smaller and often used for small appliances when traveling abroad.

I recommend: Voltage Converters provides a converter guide to check the voltage requirements for different countries. Bargain Offers provides a guide to buying the right voltage converter.

Voltage, volts

Voltage is a measurement of the electrical pressure between two points and is related to the concept of static electricity.

I recommend: Heater Home provides information on 120, 220 and 240 voltage measurements, how these are different and how different voltages can become compatible.

Ampere (amp)

An ampere is a unit of measurement that relates to electrical currents. It measures the amount of current required to produce a specific amount of force between two wires separated by a one meter.

I recommend: Power Stream provides the equations needed to convert watts to amps, amps to watts and watts to volts.

Watts (W)

A watt is a unit of measurement for the rate of energy conversion. This measurement is equal to one joule per second. Wattage is important when choosing the right 220 power supplies.

I recommend: Science Hobbyist provides a quick explanation between measurements related to energy including the difference between watts, volts, amps and ohms.