corbin Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 OK, so this isn't technically a question about the outlet. I got a plugin converter from Walmart (just a cheap like $9 one). It doesn't convert wattage, just the physical form of the plugin. So, I thought I was fine with that since my laptop's transformer can do US or European voltage/frequency. (I'm guessing the block between the plugin and the cord that goes into the laptop would be called a transformer... ). Anyway, the problem is that yeah, the transformer is rated for 110 or 240V and 50 or 60 hz, but the cord that goes from the wall to the transformer, I just noticed, has a 120V tag on it, implying that just that cord is only rated up to 120V. So, my question is whether or not I should chance it. Obviously the cord is made specifically for US plugins, but is the metal going to melt or anything? Will it really be fine and they just put that on there just because? Should I go ahead and do it but just make sure the cord isn't like super hot? I would rather not burn out my laptop cord since Dell likes to screw people over on those, but I don't want to have to go to Walmart in Germany if I don't need to. (I'm sure they have them at airports, but I'm sure they would also be twice the price there.) Thanks in advance to any answers just in case I don't get a chance to return to this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xylex Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 You're fine. Cords get hot because of the wattage (volts x amps) running through them. My Toshiba power cord is rated at 125V at 7 amps (875 watts). The transformer's load is rated at 100-240V @ 1.5 amps. At a higher voltage, you'll probably never see anywhere close to a 1.5 amp draw, but even if you saw 1.5 amps at 240 volts, that's still only be a 360 watt load, less than half of the maximum rating of the power cord. Assuming your laptop/transformer is pretty similar, which would mean that it's less than 20 years old and doesn't have a 5" CRT in it, you're fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corbin Posted July 12, 2009 Author Share Posted July 12, 2009 Hrmmmmm....... Ok then.... Hopefully it doesn't melt . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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