Canada to America power adapters - do you need to bring an adapter to America?

Travel Power Strips

Benefits of a travel power strip

• Able to charge several appliances and devices at once via a single American power outlet.
• Certain models of power strips are able to convert voltage for lower wattage devices such as laptops. Even if the electronic device isn't dual voltage it should still work with a American power outlet when using only a travel power strip, making them a cheap and lightweight alternative option to a dedicated power converter.
• Most modern travel power strips should also feature a number of USB charging ports.
• Offers surge protection. Voltage from power outlets in certain areas might be unstable, a sudden power surge might damage your delicate electronics. Some travel power strips will have a built in surge protector to protect your electronics from being overloaded by an unstable power grid.
• The power strip can potentially still be of use back at home as a power strip.
• US and Canadian power strips include Type A, B, D, E/F, G, H, I, L and N plug adapters so should work in America.

Disadvantages of a travel power strip

• Unlike a normal power converter, the conversion on travel power strips won't work with higher wattage appliances such as clothes irons and hair dryers.
• Because of the size of a power strip it might be too bulky for hand luggage.
• Travel power strips might be excessive if you only have a small number of items which need powering. [6] [AD]

Travel USB Wall Chargers

Benefits of a travel USB wall charger

• Ideal if you only have to power devices which are USB powered.
• Instead of carrying multiple domestic power chargers you only need to pack a single unit.
• Supplied with interchangeable heads which means they can be used in a large number of locations. Interchangeable adapter heads are typically small and lightweight which makes them easy to pack.
• Most models will have a built in surge protector which will protect your electronics from being overloaded by an unstable power grid in some countries.
• The charger can still be of use back home.
• Interchangeable heads will fit into Types A/B, E/F, G and I power outlets so will work in an American power outlet.

Disadvantages of a travel USB wall charger

• Restricted to USB outputs so you won't be able to power any electrical appliances, just USB powered devices. [7] [AD]

Power Plug Adapters

Travellers from Canada using any domestic 2 pin Type A or 3 pin Type B plugs will not need to use a power plug adapter for America as these fit an American power outlet.

Benefits of a power plug adapter

• Light and compact.
• Cheapest option.
• Straightforward design makes it simple to operate.
• Bringing a Type B plug adapter will work in America.

Disadvantages of a power plug adapter

• Only one plug adapter per plug - for each appliance you will also need to use a separate adapter.
• Only modifies the shape of the plug to fit in a Type B American power outlet and not the voltage. So if your device doesn't support a 120 volt outlet and isn't dual voltage you'll still need to bring a voltage converter.
• Accomodation might only have one wall outlet, so you'll only be able to power one device at a time.
• You will also need to bring your separate USB charger if you need to charge a USB device.
• If you plan on visiting more than just America you may need to bring multiple plug adapter types. [3] [AD]

Universal Travel Power Adapters

Benefits of a universal travel power adapter

• Typical models are designed to work in over 150 countries.
• All-in-one design, lightweight and small.
• There are some models which include charging ports for USB devices.
• Easy to use.
• There are some models which include a surge protector built in, this will prevent any device from being overpowered by unstable power grids.
• Retractable pins don't get caught against other items in luggage.
• When you return home it will still work as a USB charger.
• Changes shape to Types A/B, E/F, G and I plugs so will work with an American power outlet.

Disadvantages of a universal travel power adapter

• Can't be used with high power appliances such as clothes irons, vacuum cleaners or curling irons.
• The pins, shutters and other internal moving parts might be fragile on some universal travel power adapters which might make them prone to breaking whilst abroad.
• Universal travel power adapters only provide power to one appliance.
• A universal travel power adapter might not work in some countries; some adapters might not work in certain countries with less popular power outlets.
• Missing an in-built voltage converter will mean it isn't suitable for non-120 volt electrical appliances. [8] [AD]

Plug Adapter Sets

Benefits of a plug adapter set

• A set typically works out more economical than buying multiple individual power plug adapters.
• Ensures that you are covered for all eventualities.
• For anyone travelling to different locations this is perfect.
• Includes Type A, B, C, D, E/F, G, H, I, J, L, M and N adapters so will be compatible with an American power outlet.

Disadvantages of a plug adapter set

• Not flexible; you will need to decide which adapters to pack, if you don't know every country you'll be visiting you'll need to pack every adapter type.
• Means lots of individual items to pack.
• The remaining plug adapters will be redundant.
• Not all plug adapter types are typically included (especially less common adapters), so ensure that your set includes one that works in America.
• Only modifies the shape of the plug but not the voltage. [9] [AD]

Voltage Converters

Those travelling from Canada will not need to bring a voltage converter as the voltage from an American power outlet is 120 volts.

Benefits of a voltage converter

• A step up voltage converter lets travellers to power their non-120 volt appliance with a 120 volt American power outlet.
• A voltage converter has a built in surge protector which will protect your device from being overpowered by an incorrect voltage.

Disadvantages of a voltage converter

• It will only change the 120 volts in America and not the shape of the plug to fit in a American power outlet, so you'll still need to pack a suitable power adapter.
• The weight of voltage converters makes them too heavy and bulky for hand luggage.
• Redundant when get back home.
• Usually better value to bring a dual voltage travel appliance than to purchase a more expensive voltage converter just to bring your existing appliance in an incompatible location.

How well do solar battery chargers work in America?

The daylight in America can be suitable conditions for a solar power bank, however it is likely to take time to recharge. The reduced surface area of the cells means a solar power bank needs to be left in strong daylight for a long period of time to provide enough energy for a single charge, and this might prove difficult to repeatedly unpack a solar power bank and wait for it to recharge in sunny spells.

• The much larger panels found on a solar backpack give the bag the ability to generate more power within a faster period of time, and might generate charge when cloudy.
• Phones which are plugged directly into a USB port of a backpack should trickle charge the battery during sunny periods in America, but might be inconvenient to have it continuously connected to the bag if it is to be used frequently. A power bank plugged in a solar backpack can be continuously recharged during the day, afterwards you can recharge the phone from the power bank at any time without daylight.
• A solar bag that is suitable for America needs to have a solar cell efficiency of at least 22%, be able to generate at least 6 watts of energy and can be used with a 10,000mAH power bank or greater.
• Solar bags are available in rucksack, backpack and laptop messenger styles which makes them perfect for travel, domestic and work use.
• The flexible and durable solar cells used in solar powered bags have been built to endure scratching and bending, unlike normal firm solar panels.  [4] [16] [17] [AD]

Sources

• Visit The USA - Measurements and Electricity (cited July 2018)
• International Electrotechnical Commission - World plugs by location (cited July 2018)
• Wikipedia - Mains electricity by country (cited July 2018)
• Index Mundi - Power outages in a typical month (cited May 2018, data collected between 2006 to 2017)
• Index Mundi - Access to electricity (cited May 2018, latest data collected 2010)
• WikiPedia - List of countries by average yearly temperature (cited May 2018, data averaged between 1961 to 1990) [18]

How to convert 120 volts to 220 volts

1. Use a step up power converter to allow you to use 220, 230 and 240 volt appliances with an 120 volt American power outlet.
2. If the power converter doesn't include the correct shaped plug then it will also be necessary to plug in the power cord from the power converter into a power adapter for America before plugging that into an American power outlet.
3. Some power converters include the ability to perform both step up and step down voltage conversions, therefore it may be necessary to manually switch the converter to output the voltage from 220-240v.
4. Plug your appliance into the converter and turn the power on, your 220-240 volt appliance can now be used with an 120 volt American power outlet. [10] [AD]

What different types of electrical devices do you need to use in America?

• There are 3 types of electrical items:
  • Low wattage electronic items that plug into an electrical outlet - for example laptops and cameras.
  • High wattage appliances that plug into an electrical outlet - for example clothes irons and hair dryers.
  • USB devices that charge with a USB port - for example phones.
• When you only intend to take just USB powered devices then a travel USB charger is ideal as you'll only need to bring that single charger .
• Travel power strips are built for providing power and converting voltage for several low wattage devices, however unsuitable for high wattage appliances that require voltage conversion.

Will you only be charging USB devices?

• Should you only intend on using devices such as phones then we suggest just packing a travel USB wall charger.
• If you only use a simple power plug adapter you'll still need to pack the USB charger that was supplied with your device too. [7] [AD]

Will your devices work with 120 volt power outlets?

• America uses 120 volts, should you come from a country that isn't 120 volts and your appliance isn't dual voltage (how to tell) then you'll either need to use a bulky power converter or a power strip with a built in power converter.
• It can be more expensive buying a power converter instead of bringing a dual voltage travel appliance (such as a dual voltage clothes iron, hair dryer, curling iron or hair straighteners for America) which is perfect for travel and often includes plug adapters.

Are you intending on visiting anywhere else abroad in the future?

• A versatile universal travel adapter or USB wall charger with interchangeable heads can both potentially be reused for other trips in the future for other countries as well as America.

Are you flying long haul to get to America?

• For extended journeys think about an appropriate charger which is perfect for airports that works in different outlet types, one that can be packed in carry-on luggage and can charge phones and tablets.
• Because not all airlines have power outlets we recommend bringing a battery portable charger for recharging on the go. When arriving you could need to use your mobile phone for making calls, sending texts, using sat nav or reading your itinerary; therefore please ensure that your phone will have enough battery power left. [4] [AD]