Converter or Transformer? Using and Recharging Electrical Appliances

Israel, Turkey & Greece, like most of Western Europe, operates on 220 volts, 50 Hz, with round-prong European-style plugs that fit into recessed wall sockets.

Start by checking your appliances before leaving home to see what you'll need to plug in when you travel. You will either need an adapter or a converter. It is important to use the right one!

Most newer appliances (such as laptops, ipads and digital cameras) come with dual voltage. For these all you need is an adapter— with an adapter these appliances can be plugged into either 110-120-volt or 220-240-volt sockets with the adapter plug and it will convert to the higher voltage automatically. So basically an adapter has one function, to make your US style, two flat prong plug fit into the two round hole outlet you will find on your journey. If your appliance has a grounded plug (three prongs) you need to get an adapter that accepts three prongs. By the way, it is really, really easy to leave these little adapters behind on a trip and you often need to charge or use more than one device at a time so you may want to take several along.  

Read the technical stuff on your appliance or device to see if it says "INPUT: A.C. 100-240V". If it reads that way, it can operate on either 110-125 or 220-240 voltage and only needs an adapter. 

If it says something like "INPUT: 100-125V", then it can't run on 220-240 volts and you'll need to bring a transformer/converter. 

If you plug a 110-125-volt appliance into a 220-240-volt outlet with just an adapter instead of a converter there will be a pop and a burning smell and your device will have turned to junk.

Here are some samples of what you will need, with a link to Amazon if you wish to purchase them. The converter and adapter charging station is especially nice because it allows you to charge multiple devices at the same time.

    Adapter                     Adapter Charging Station

                                   

Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.