Q: I am going to Europe and plan to take my mobile phone. I looked on the power adapter and the label said it ranges from 100 to 240 volts. Does that mean I don’t need to pack an electrical converter for the trip?
A: Most consumer electronic devices like mobile phones, media players, cameras, laptops and e-book readers and so on come with power adapters that can handle a range of voltage and frequencies without an extra converter. If the label on your adapter says something like “Input: 100-240VAC,” with a reference to “50-60 Hz,” it should be fine operating in countries with electrical voltage running between 100 volts and 240 volts, and frequencies of 50 to 60 Hertz. Most power adapters have their voltage information listed in tiny type on the side or sometimes between the prongs. If you plan to visit several countries in Europe, you can look up the electrical standard for each stop on the trip on the International Trade Administration’s Electric Current Worldwide page at .
Although you probably will not need to bring a voltage converter, you will need a plug converter to slip over the flat U.S. prongs so you can stick your adapter into an electrical socket to charge your phone. You can find these adapters for less than $10 in travel shops.
— The New York Times
