Check it out! Our very first video post from Hannover, Germany!
Apparently, European outlets kick out a vicious 220 volts of electricity. Sissy American appliances, like my electric razor, are only designed to handle 110 volts. I was told by several people (I’m looking in your direction, greasy electronics nerdling from Fred Meyer) my appliances would be ruined if I tried them in Europe. Before I moved, I bought a dozen grounded European to American outlet adapters from Amazon.com for $1 each. These adapters very specifically say, “This will not convert the voltage from 220V to 110V,” so I was expecting a real fireworks show.
When I arrived in Germany, I tried one out and did my very best to destroy my electric razor. Here is the video.
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Hahaha … are you sure that wasn’t a dual voltage razor (a lot of them are now days). Having blown up a ‘crap-ton’ of crap early on here it can indeed happen. If you find yourself in need of a transformer I have a few sitting in the garage, just yell. Awesome as always.
I have no idea. I think I’ve had that razor for over 10 years. It was my grandfather’s, which is both endearing AND disgusting.
I’m sure there is a perfectly reasonable explanation, but everyone told me my razor would be destroyed. I am so disappointed.
Anything else I can test that might erupt into flames?
Hard to tell … at this point anything I still have on a transformer (meets the eye) is like highly valued or not … I totally wanna kill my TV so I can get a new cool flat screen (we’re watching TV here with 2001 brands cause we’re cavemen I think. Lemme look around. My Cordless drill is 110 but you CANNOT have that sir!
You gotta take video of frying your TV!
Hey, it’s not so disgusting to have your grandfather’s razor if you’ve changed the heads and cleaned it ;-)
God I hope I changed the heads and cleaned it…
Hehe, I think the razor sounded like it was on speed. If anything you will have a really fast shave from now on. Keep us updated how the razor is holding up under the continuous strain of 220 Geman volts.
Haw! I noticed that too! Maybe it will burn out sooner than it would have in the States.
Great observation Sandra!
I have used lots of American appliances in Germany and, with only one exception, have never had a problem. The problem I had was with a hairdryer that had some sort of a switch specifically for 110 volt/220 volt conversion. I still had to use an adapter just to get the plug to fit into the German outlet, however. I forgot to also set the switch on “220″ and the dryer immediately got fried. So, all said, it seems that the less sophisticated appliances (the ones without the 110/220 switch) actually work BETTER because you don’t have to remember to change the setting. Just another example of how an attempt to ‘make something better’ actually makes it worse – likely thought up by someone who doesn’t have a clue about ‘Human Factors Engineering’ (also know by the less sexy term of ‘Common Sense’).
Haw haw haw haw! Great comment, Jaton. And so true. :)
I also blew up my American hair dryer upon it’s first use here last year. It had an impressive amount of sparks, but no flames :(
Nice! Let’s film it next time! :)
I gave up using a 220/110 V hairdryer on my trips to the States a very long time ago. It’s just not worth the time drying your hair for 2 hours or so :)
~Anja~
Oh man, that is music to my wife’s ears. She has super long hair and always complains about drying time.
I have to nag.. actually, its 230 V today. You may find 110 V sissy, but it makes up with 60 Hz in contrast to sissy 50 german Hz, which can also be a problem
Oh really? Nice!
Are you an electrical engineer, Thomas?
Not really. Just a user of Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_electricity
Oh, that is such bullshit! Where is the firework show? On another note, you have many things to consider when moving to another country. I didn’t know this about Germany…and I guess it’s all of Europe, huh?
I think so!
(And I’m still getting used to their weird electrical prongs. They just ain’t right.)
:)
Hi,
I’m from Australia where we use 230~240V at 50 Hz (I think).
I accidentally plugged a dual voltage computer PSU into our mains with it set to 110V. Basically sparks shot out the back and it bricked, luckily the store took it back for a straight swap!
But yeah, in my experience shavers are 110/220V and have been for some time. My dad has one that’s pretty old (probably from the 80s/90s) that works on both.
Many other devices should work on both (including some laptop chargers), but I’d research each device before trying.
Thank you for the information!
I have since bricked that electric shaver, but it happened in Munich. Maybe they use more power? Maybe I just used it too long. It got VERY hot.