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TRANSFORMERS AND PLUG ADAPTERS::

Transformers are grounded (except the TA-50A) devices that can step down high voltages, 220/230/240 volts down to the US 110/115/120, and can operate 24/7. Since the transformers are grounded (3 pin US plug) you will need to choose the appropriate grounded plug adapters from our World Electric Guide which is a list which shows the voltage, frequency, and plug adapters needed for all the countries in the world.

The power requirements of the appliance, watts or amps (volts X amps = watts), determines the size transformer needed. Transformers are sized by watts and the appropriate size (watts) chosen needs to be based on the appliance requirements. This information is available either on a label on the appliance (UL certification requires this) or by contacting the manufacturer. Once you know the maximum watts, including all surges which may apply, you can choose the proper size (watts) transformer.

Surges will usually apply to any appliance with an AC motor (blenders, food processors, vacuum cleaners, etc.) and some electronic appliances (most color TV's as an example). These surges can be as low as just an 50% increase in watts needed to a 400%-500% increase. Surges vary dramatically depending on the application of the appliance. A food processor mixing chocolate milk will have a much smaller surge than if it were chopping carrots or other dense materials. As a rule, the more you slow down (or stop) a rotating implement the higher the amps or watts. A circular saw cutting balsa wood will have much lower watts than if it were cutting through oak.

There are stabilizer voltage regulator transformers, our ATVR series, that can handle surges better than ordinary transformers can by electronically delaying the full surge so that the full load doesn't overload the transformer. They still need to be sized larger than the normal running current (watts) of the appliance but not by the same factor as ordinary transformers.