Debs,

Another tip, check what your phone company charges for calls from America it can prove expensive with some contracts.

I often buy a phone card over there you'll get a good lenth of time for a $5 card, can get them in a lot of shops (make sure its a international one).

Thanks Mick.

I hadn't thought about a phone card!! My phone is quad band so should work in America but if it is expensive then maybe the card would be a better bet.

Thanks so much for your suggestion.

Debs

Deb's

My Mb never works anywhere but it's not an uptodate one!!!!!... I can sometimes get an incoming text but I can't do anything with it till I land back in England..

On the USA tours I have been on there is normally internet access you can use so I keep in touch that way with home.

I have done 3 USA tours I hope you enjoy your trip

Cindy

Thanks Cindy.

I appreciate your reply.

Take care.

Debs

Another tip, check what your phone company charges for calls from America it can prove expensive with some contracts.

I often buy a phone card over there you'll get a good lenth of time for a $5 card, can get them in a lot of shops (make sure its a international one).

My Mb never works anywhere but it's not an uptodate one!!!!!... I can sometimes get an incoming text but I can't do anything with it till I land back in England..

On the USA tours I have been on there is normally internet access you can use so I keep in touch that way with home.

I have done 3 USA tours I hope you enjoy your trip

Cindy

I have checked my appliances and yes I have found the squares that you mention, so I will now go back to Boots and buy the Worldwide Adapter.

I would also like to thank Peter for mentioning mobile phones. I just assumed mine would work over there as it does in Europe! Guess what I will be checking today!!

Thank you again for all your help. It is much appreciated.

Take care and best wishes.

Debs

Cindy

If your talking of hair dryers, irons etc. then yes you should have a voltage adaptor/transformer. Personally I wouldn't bother. Check with your hotel web sites, most provide these items in your room or at least have some for guests to borrow.

Another point worth checking before you go, is your mobile telephone dual band, triple band or multi band? The US mobile networks use an operating system different to the UK and the EU. Dual band phones don't work there. I use a triple-band phone and have never had a problem. You cannot adapt a dual-band mobile for triple-band systems. If you have still got your operating instructions check the specification, if not check the company's web-site. Any other queries just write back and I'll try and answer.

PS Using a 240V appliance in a 110V socket is not intrinsically unsafe, the lower voltage will cause hair dryers to be cooler etc. However using a 110V appliance in a 240V supply is extremely dangerous. Also, if you buy video tapes and DVD's check that they will work in the UK as again the US uses a completely different system.

Have a good time.

Peter

Hi Olly,

I am travelling to America with Just You in September and wondered if you can give me any advice on electrical adapters.

I have bought travel appliances with dual voltage but the US adapter I have also bought, to change from three to two flat pins, says the appliances used with it must be unearthed. However on checking my travel appliances they are all earthed.

I went to Boots to buy a Universal Adapter this afternoon, as you have previously recommended them to other travellers, but that said the same thing about the appliances being unearthed for the USA.

Have you heard of this before?

Any help and advice would be much appreciated.

Kind regards,

Debs

Hello Debs

Most of the appliances that I take on holiday are DOUBLE INSULATED and these do not need an earth, even though they are fitted with a 3 pin plug.

Items that are double insulated and therefore do not need an earth are marked with a symbol which is a square within a square. Try searching for images for "double insulated " in google.

This symbol is usually in the small panel which tells you about voltage etc. and can be quite small.

The exception to this is my travel kettle which does need an earth.

David

I'm surprised all the stuff, you require is eathed as most portable appliances are not as they are double insulated. These are called class 2 appliances and should have a symbol of a square with a smaller square inside. (I was a eectrical engineer).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appliance_classes 

Hi Debs

I had a look on the internet and found this website, which gives a better explanation than I could. Click on this link:

http://www.ehow.com/how_5328521_use-uk-electrical-appliances-usa.html 

It is important that you do use the right adapter, as your appliances could be damaged if you don't.

Perhaps some other Community users could share their experiences on this subject?

Kind regards,

Olly, your editor

Thanks Olly for your help. I will take a look at the website.

I would be interested to hear from anyone who has had a similar problem when buying adapters for their trips.

Best wishes.

Debs