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I have a power adapter that works for Great Britain. Can I use the same adapter in Canada and/or the USA too?

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By "adapter" do you mean a simple plug adapter, or a device which also adapts the current itself, like a transformer or converter? – choster Aug 7 '12 at 19:14
I'm talking about a simple plug adapter. Do I need something more fancy there? – RoflcoptrException♦ Aug 7 '12 at 19:20
1  
The current is different; it is mostly 230V/50Hz in Britain and mostly 110-120V/60Hz in the US and Canada. Whether you need a converter, transformer, or neither depends on what your devices/appliances can handle. – choster Aug 7 '12 at 19:53
I never thought about that. I hope my Mac will run their. – RoflcoptrException♦ Aug 7 '12 at 20:59
5  
Most electronics, including your Mac, include a transformer (the "brick" in a laptop's power cord) that can handle 100-240V and 50/60Hz, so in this case all you need is a plug adapter. Items with motors or heating elements (e.g. electric razors, fans, hair dryers), however, would probably require a separate converter or transformer. – choster Aug 7 '12 at 21:14

2 Answers

up vote 9 down vote accepted

No, you can't. They're different types of adapters.

What I do when I need confirmation is to check this website:

http://users.telenet.be/worldstandards/electricity.htm

It has an EXHAUSTIVE list of each and every type, the voltage and the countries that use them. It's been handy for some of the stranger countries I've been to and hasn't failed yet.

Myself, I have a multi-adapter. The only country it doesn't seem to handle is South Africa, which has 3 giant prongs - bigger than the UK ones!

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up vote 2 down vote

No, they are different types of plugs. People in the UK need to buy an adapter to get US or other plugs to work in the UK.

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