Samsonite Converter/Adaptor Plug Kit with Pouch, Charcoal Grey

I just returned from a trip to Ireland where I attempted to use this converter. It literally fried my curling iron. Luckily somebody smelled it before it started on fire. And the converter itself started melting when I tried to use it for my laptop. Lucky for me, the people I was with had a different converter that I could use, since this one apparently didn't convert anything.

I was very disappointed to find out that this converter can't be used for TV, computer, etc, which is not stated on Amazon's website. I intended to use this converter for my kid's nitendo DS when we traveled to China this summer but it couldn't charge the battery.

To actually convert a 220V sinusoidal waveform into a 110V sinusoidal waveform, you need to use an AC transformer. This method is safe for all low-power appliances. For higher power, however, the AC transformer required is bulky and heavy (around 20 pounds for 1000W), making it impractical as a travel voltage converter.

This item offered here (Samsonite Converter/Adaptor Plug Kit with Pouch) does not contain an AC transformer. Instead, it uses a solid-state switch inside that chops off part of the 220V sinusoidal waveform. This is exactly how an incandescent lamp dimmer works. The resulted waveform, however, is highly distorted and is far from an 110V sinusoidal voltage.

The product description says: "powerful 1600 watt converter that adjusts foreign electrical current to help operate most U.S. travel appliances: i.e. irons, hair dryers, etc.". What is not explained here is that it can only be used with simply HEATING appliances, which work regardless of distorted voltage waveform. If you try to use any electronic appliance (such as DVD player, computer or battery charger) on this "converter", it will probably be fried in an instant!

My advice is to stay away from this potentially destructive product. If you must bring electronic appliances with your oversea trips, make sure they are rated for universal voltage of 100-240V AC. That way, you can safely use them in other countries without the need for a volatge converter.

Power supplies for most portable electronics (laptop, camcorder, cell-phone, electric shavers, etc.) are already designed for universal voltage, although some of them may require you to physically flip a voltage-selection switch. Check the user manual or the AC input plug of your appliance to make sure. If that is the case, all you need is a set of plug adapters, which you can get at much lower price than this Converter/Adapter pulg kit.

My daughter is traveling in Spain for a month with a variety of electronics: camera, iPod, hair dryer, etc...She has not needed to use the converter as her electronics are new and include the European voltage. However, she has used the adaptor and it has worked in all the hotel and dorm room outlets. Her friends have borrowed the converter as they have older models of some electronics and it has worked well. it is important to remember that when using a converter you cannot use it for long periods of time to charge batteries; three hours is typically the maximum. This is true with all portable converters and the instructions are clear on this.

Traveled to China with the converter and ran a curling iron 7 mornings and charged a Nikon camera battery one night. No issues.