220 Voltage Power Supplies Key Terms

Learn about the 220 voltage power supplies available

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.

 

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

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