If you are a frequent traveller, you will be aware of the problems you face without a travel adapter. Whatever may be your purpose for travelling overseas, you will need a travel adapter in any case. In Europe, America, Australia, and the UK, the electrical outlets are different. Some countries require flat pins, some round, and in others the two main positive and negative pins are at an angle. So, you need to have the proper adapter to plug into your appliance so you can use it, or to charge its batteries.

A few years back, we did not have cell phones or laptops, and therefore we used to travel without these items. But in today’s world, these electricity-dependent items have become a necessity, and we carry them with us wherever we go. So, to recharge our cell phones and laptops we need to carry a travel adapter.

However, we cannot change or search for the power plugs the entire trip. So, it’s best to buy a travel adapter and keep it as an essential item in our travel kit. Travel adapters are not very expensive, and nowadays you can get some very nice looking travel adapters that have a button on the side for the kind of electrical outlet you want to plug the adapter in. This is a brilliant convenience as the travel adapter will not fit in the inappropriate socket.

The pins of the adapter open up and you push it into the power socket and plug your equipment on the other side of the adapter, and obtain power to charge your cell phone, laptop or run your hair dryer. Some travel adapters also have a current converter. Remember, in America the power supply voltage is 110 ac and in the UK and Europe its 220 ac. So, in a smart travel adapter when you set the continent it will not only supply the electricity, but also convert it accordingly. Hence, if your equipment uses 220 volts and you are travelling to America and plug in your travel adapter, it will convert the 110 volts to 220 volts and thus supply power to your equipment.

This saves the hassle of switching your equipment from 220 to 110 volts and vice versa. People forget or are not aware of the fact that the voltage is different in some countries, and when they plug in the equipment they would end up burning their equipment! That is why travel adapter makers have built a converter into the travel adapter.

You can purchase a travel adapter from any hardware store and also from super markets in the electrical goods section. Some handbag or luggage stores also sell them, and you can find them at airports (although they’ll be expensive). In case you have forgotten to take your travel adapter, you can purchase this from the country you are travelling to. Like travelling without the cell phone has become unthinkable, so has travelling without a travel adapter.

If you are venturing overseas for the first time, then put down a travel adapter as an item that you will need during your trip. There are a number of companies that make and sell travel adapters, so finding one should not be a hassle.