How to Bring a Laptop From the US to Germany
In the United States, electrical outlets deliver 110 to 120 volts to devices plugged in to the wall. German electrical outlets deliver double that amount, from 220 to 240 volts of electricity. Fortunately, standard power adapters sold with laptops in the U.S. are able to handle 100 to 240 volts. However, in order to use your power adapter in Germany you will need a plug adapter that allows the laptop charger plug to fit outlets found in Europe.
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Instructions
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Ensure your laptop's power adapter is rated to handle the voltage levels in Germany. Look at the label on the power adapter and find the words "INPUT: 100-240V." This indicates that the adapter can handle voltages between 100 and 240 volts, which is what is required in Germany. Alternatively, look in the laptop documentation for adapter power ratings. If your adapter cannot handle 240 volts, purchase a new one with a higher voltage rating from a computer store.
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Purchase a plug adapter for Germany. German plugs have round pins, not flat pins like the U.S. When buying an adapter, first check your laptop's power adapter to see if it has three pins, instead of only two. If it does, you must either buy a plug adapter that can accommodate all three pins, or replace your power adapter with a generic model that uses only two pins. Secondly, some plug adapters have round European pins attached to a square body. However, many German hotels and other buildings use a more modern style of outlet, where the receiving holes for the pins are recessed into the wall. Square-body adapters will not work with these modern plugs -- because their square bodies won't fit into the round, recessed plugs. Therefore, make sure you buy a plug adapter with a round body -- the correct adapter should have a round plastic body with grooves down the side and two round pins poking out.
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Buy a back up rechargeable battery for your laptop while in the United States. If the primary battery dies or is damaged while you are in Germany, having a back up ready allows you to continue using your laptop. Some companies offer generic external batteries that can be used to power a laptop. Some of these models are multipurpose: they not only serve as a back-up battery, but also as a universal AC adapter for your laptop, as a DC power source in a motor vehicle, and can also power multiple types of devices, such as cell phones in addition to your laptop.
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Carry your laptop in a protective sleeve or bag to minimize damage from bumps and the rigors of traveling.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not wait until you get to Germany before trying to buy a plug adapter. Buy it before you leave. In any country, retailers typically stock adapters that their residents need when traveling overseas. In Germany, it is easy to buy German-U.S. plug adapters, but very difficult to find U.S.-Germany adapters, and the opposite is true here. Be prepared -- before you leave.
If you are traveling with multiple items that require power, be extremely careful about using a U.S. power strip in Germany or anywhere outside North America. Do not assume that you can attach a plug adapter to a power strip and then use it in Germany to power multiple devices. This might seem like a good idea to save buying multiple adapters but it is very dangerous. Most U.S. power strips are designed only for US voltages and frequencies, and the additional voltages in Europe and elsewhere will overpower them. At the very least, the power strip's fuse will blow and it will be unusable. At worst, it can start a fire. To be usable overseas, your power strip must be rated for 110-240V, and must accept electrical frequencies of both 50 Hz and 60 Hz. Such power strips can be purchased but are not usually available in local stores; they are typically ordered online from specialty stores. If in doubt, leave your power strip at home.
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