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Cellular forums Home > Archive > Cellular phones topics > August 2005 > Cellphone use in Europe
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Cellphone use in Europe
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| Lexx Luthar 2005-08-03, 5:48 pm |
| I'm American and I have what my cellphone users manual calls a "travel
adapter", but of course it has a plug for American 110 outlets. I'm
going to Ukraine for 10 days and I have a GSM phone and I've purchased a
Ukraine SIM, but I would like to be able to recharge by phone from their
220 outlets. I've done a google search on "travel adapter converter" and
only came back with a place the sells plug adaptors which presumably
would have no effect on the change current being received by the travel
adapter.
So here is the question. Has anyone here tried to recharge their
cellphone in Europe with an American travel adapter plugged directly
into European outlets? Wouldn't the change in current harm the
cellphone? If it makes a difference I currently have a Cingular 1300i
and will soon be getting a Motorola v66 as backup.
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| Miguel Cruz 2005-08-03, 5:48 pm |
| Lexx Luthar <superpic25@hotmail.com> wrote:
> So here is the question. Has anyone here tried to recharge their
> cellphone in Europe with an American travel adapter plugged directly
> into European outlets? Wouldn't the change in current harm the
> cellphone? If it makes a difference I currently have a Cingular 1300i
> and will soon be getting a Motorola v66 as backup.
I don't think I've ever seen a cell phone charger that didn't work on
both 110 and 220. But why not just check? The input voltage range will be
listed on the charger, either on a label or molded directly into the plastic
shell. If it says something like "INPUT: 100-240VAC" then it will not harm your
phone no matter where you plug it in. On the other hand if it says "100-120"
or so, then you will need a new charger. I would expect you could find one
in Ukraine without difficulty.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos from 36 countries on 5 continents: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Queens Day in Amsterdam; the Grand Canyon; Amman, Jordan
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| Michael Pronay 2005-08-03, 5:48 pm |
| Lexx Luthar <superpic25@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I'm American and I have what my cellphone users manual calls a
> "travel adapter", but of course it has a plug for American 110
> outlets. I'm going to Ukraine for 10 days and I have a GSM phone
> and I've purchased a Ukraine SIM, but I would like to be able to
> recharge by phone from their 220 outlets.
As Miguel said: Chances are 99.9% that you charger can handle
220/230 volts. Btw, does your phone support 900/1800 bands?
M.
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| Lexx Luthar 2005-08-03, 11:48 pm |
| Thanks Miguel Cruz and Michael Pronay for taking the time to answer my
post. I've since looked closely at my adaptor and it does indicate input
for 100-240V, so I guess you're right and I'm OK to plug in in Europe.
thanks again.
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| "Lexx Luthar" <superpic25@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Thanks Miguel Cruz and Michael Pronay for taking the time to answer my
> post. I've since looked closely at my adaptor and it does indicate
> input
> for 100-240V, so I guess you're right and I'm OK to plug in in Europe.
But you still need a plug adapter though.
Rudy
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| Joseph 2005-08-04, 2:48 am |
| On Wed, 03 Aug 2005 10:01:28 GMT, Lexx Luthar <superpic25@hotmail.com>
wrote:
>I'm American and I have what my cellphone users manual calls a "travel
>adapter", but of course it has a plug for American 110 outlets. I'm
>going to Ukraine for 10 days and I have a GSM phone and I've purchased a
>Ukraine SIM, but I would like to be able to recharge by phone from their
>220 outlets. I've done a google search on "travel adapter converter" and
>only came back with a place the sells plug adaptors which presumably
>would have no effect on the change current being received by the travel
>adapter.
>
>So here is the question. Has anyone here tried to recharge their
>cellphone in Europe with an American travel adapter plugged directly
>into European outlets? Wouldn't the change in current harm the
>cellphone? If it makes a difference I currently have a Cingular 1300i
>and will soon be getting a Motorola v66 as backup.
If you look at the charger it will say what voltages are permitted.
If it's a "world" phone more than likely it has a charger that can be
used with North American or Euro/Asian electric current. You will
need an adaptor plug to change from the twin bladed North American
plug to the two pin plugs used in the Ukraine and in most of Europe
with a major exception being the UK. These adapter plugs will more
than likely be sold at Radio Shack or any place that sells luggage and
other travel accessories. You can also often find these adaptor plugs
at airport shops. Also in major cities you may also even find these
at "dollar" stores.
- -
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| John Phillips 2005-08-06, 5:48 am |
| On Wed, 03 Aug 2005, at 23:39:25 [GMT GMT] (09:39:25 Thursday, 4 August 2005
where I live) "Lexx Luthar" wrote:
> Thanks Miguel Cruz and Michael Pronay for taking the time to answer my
> post. I've since looked closely at my adaptor and it does indicate input
> for 100-240V, so I guess you're right and I'm OK to plug in in Europe.
Not much use however if your phone douse not have GSM900 or 1800.
See http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/cou_ua.shtml
--
PCMCIA = People Can't Memorize Computer Industry Acronyms
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| Joseph 2005-08-06, 5:48 pm |
| On Sat, 6 Aug 2005 17:15:17 +1000, John
Phillips< flatulantdingo@deads
pam.com> wrote:
>On Wed, 03 Aug 2005, at 23:39:25 [GMT GMT] (09:39:25 Thursday, 4 August 2005
>where I live) "Lexx Luthar" wrote:
>
>
>Not much use however if your phone douse not have GSM900 or 1800.
Well, it would be pretty silly to provide a charger that was capable
of 240V if they couldn't use it in a country that used 240V now
wouldn't it?!
- -
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| John Henderson 2005-08-06, 5:48 pm |
| Joseph wrote:
> Well, it would be pretty silly to provide a charger that was
> capable of 240V if they couldn't use it in a country that used
> 240V now wouldn't it?!
On the contrary. Why make different chargers for 900/1800 and
850/1900 mHz phone models?
John
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| Joseph 2005-08-06, 11:48 pm |
| On Sun, 07 Aug 2005 06:13:25 +1000, John Henderson
< jhenRemoveThis@talk2
1.com> wrote:
>Joseph wrote:
>
>
>On the contrary. Why make different chargers for 900/1800 and
>850/1900 mHz phone models?
Cost? Perhaps it costs more money to make a charger that can do both
120 and 240 vs either made just for 120 or just for 240. Nokia
provides ACP7 chargers for their country specific needs. For North
America they provide a charger with flat blades and rated at 120V 60
Hz. while for Europe they provide ACP7 chargers with round pin plugs
rated at 240V 50 Hz. It's meant for those specific needs. Then again
chargers such as the ACP8U orf ACP12U are rated at 100-240V 50-60Hz.
The ACP8U and ACP12U are meant for use for multiple areas. They may
come standard with North American twin blade plugs or they may come
with round European or even the three legged UK type plugs depending
on where the original mobile handset was purchased. It's part of the
same reason why the manufacturers make some handsets that are multiple
band for European/Asian use and for use in North America while other
handsets are made specifically for use in those markets either for
North America or for Europe/Asia. There are similar models offered
for both markets e.g. Nokia 3510 is very similar to the Nokia 3590.
The 3510 is for Europe and Asia and the 3590 is for North America.
They have identical form factor but have different radios for use in
the different regions. The manufacturers have been doing this for
years!
- -
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| John Henderson 2005-08-06, 11:48 pm |
| Joseph wrote:
> Cost? Perhaps it costs more money to make a charger that can
> do both 120 and 240 vs either made just for 120 or just for
> 240.
> Nokia provides ACP7 chargers for their country specific needs.
> For North America they provide a charger with flat blades and
> rated at 120V 60 Hz. while for Europe they provide ACP7
> chargers with round pin plugs rated at 240V 50 Hz. It's meant
> for those specific needs.
Maybe I should have covered that aspect. A switch-mode power
supply can easily be designed to operate on the wider voltage
range, and then manufactured in greater quantity because of its
flexibility. Attaching a country-specific plug as the last
stage in manufacture should be straightforward.
If the economics are different or some reason, then so be it.
John
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| John Phillips 2005-08-06, 11:48 pm |
| On Sat, 06 Aug 2005, at 08:43:30 [GMT -0700] (01:43:30 Sunday, 7 August 2005
where I live) "Joseph" wrote:
> Well, it would be pretty silly to provide a charger that was capable
> of 240V if they couldn't use it in a country that used 240V now
> wouldn't it?!
Not really. Cheaper to manufacture a dual voltage charger for sale
throughout the world than have specific chargers for each country.
--
You'll get what's coming to you ... Unless mailed
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| John Phillips 2005-08-06, 11:48 pm |
| On Wed, 03 Aug 2005, at 20:01:40 [GMT -0700] (13:01:40 Thursday, 4 August
2005 where I live) "Joseph" wrote:
> If it's a "world" phone more than likely it has a charger that can be
> used with North American or Euro/Asian electric current.
Not necessarily correct. Dual band Nokia phones sold in Australia, which
will not work in USA, all have universal voltage chargers - reason? - refer
my other post.
--
Conservative: One who admires old, dead liberals.
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| Joseph 2005-08-07, 5:48 pm |
| On Sun, 7 Aug 2005 10:30:02 +1000, John
Phillips< flatulantdingo@deads
pam.com> wrote:
>On Sat, 06 Aug 2005, at 08:43:30 [GMT -0700] (01:43:30 Sunday, 7 August 2005
>where I live) "Joseph" wrote:
>
>
>Not really. Cheaper to manufacture a dual voltage charger for sale
>throughout the world than have specific chargers for each country.
Are you privy to the costs? If not it's just your speculation.
- -
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| R. P. 2005-08-07, 11:48 pm |
| "Joseph" <JoeOfSeattle@yahoo.com> wrote:
> On Sun, 7 Aug 2005 10:30:02 +1000, John Phillips wrote:
>
> Are you privy to the costs? If not it's just your speculation.
Why, are you? Lacking of that, what John wrote makes more economic
sense than what you what you insist on.
R. P.
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| Joseph 2005-08-08, 5:48 pm |
| On Sun, 7 Aug 2005 16:07:45 -0700, "R. P." <r_pol12gar@hotmail.com>
wrote:
>"Joseph" <JoeOfSeattle@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>Why, are you? Lacking of that, what John wrote makes more economic
>sense than what you what you insist on.
OK. Show proof then!
- -
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| John Phillips 2005-08-10, 5:48 pm |
| On Mon, 08 Aug 2005, at 07:35:40 [GMT -0700] (00:35:40 Tuesday, 9 August
2005 where I live) "Joseph" wrote:
> OK. Show proof then!
Simple logic = proof?
--
*I* didn't do it, the *computer* did it!
| |
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| "John Phillips" < flatulantdingo@deads
pam.com> wrote:
> On Mon, 08 Aug 2005, at 07:35:40 [GMT -0700] (00:35:40 Tuesday, 9
> August
> 2005 where I live) "Joseph" wrote:
>
>
> Simple logic = proof?
>
> --
> *I* didn't do it, the *computer* did it!
I don't think that works for him.
R. P.
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| Miguel Cruz 2005-08-13, 5:48 pm |
| John Phillips < flatulantdingo@deads
pam.com> wrote:
> "Joseph" wrote:
>
> Not really. Cheaper to manufacture a dual voltage charger for sale
> throughout the world than have specific chargers for each country.
They still need different plugs.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos from 36 countries on 5 continents: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Queens Day in Amsterdam; the Grand Canyon; Amman, Jordan
| |
| Miguel Cruz 2005-08-13, 5:48 pm |
| John Phillips < flatulantdingo@deads
pam.com> wrote:
> Not necessarily correct. Dual band Nokia phones sold in Australia, which
> will not work in USA, all have universal voltage chargers - reason? - refer
> my other post.
They may also be handy in 110-volt locales such as parts of Indonesia and
the middle east which use the same GSM frequencies as Australia.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos from 36 countries on 5 continents: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Queens Day in Amsterdam; the Grand Canyon; Amman, Jordan
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| matt weber 2005-08-13, 11:48 pm |
| On Sat, 13 Aug 2005 11:44:52 -0500, mnc@admin.u.nu (Miguel Cruz)
wrote:
>John Phillips < flatulantdingo@deads
pam.com> wrote:
Actually not. Dual voltage autosense, wide range, or auto switch
power supplies are fairly dear. However if you want to advertise a
product intended to travel world wide, you are kind of force it into
it. Ever see a computer laptop adapter, or PDA adapter that isn't
universal? Same reason, it is part of the product 'image', and the
margins are sufficiently good in both laptops and mobile phones that
they can afford it.[color=darkred]
>
>They still need different plugs.
Yes, but you can buy universal adapters. I have a copule that have
retractable blades, fits European Schuco (with both ground styles),
UK, Australia, and USA and is grounded properly . I standardized on UK
style power cords years ago.
| |
| matt weber 2005-08-13, 11:48 pm |
| On Sat, 13 Aug 2005 11:47:49 -0500, mnc@admin.u.nu (Miguel Cruz)
wrote:
>John Phillips < flatulantdingo@deads
pam.com> wrote:
>
>They may also be handy in 110-volt locales such as parts of Indonesia and
>the middle east which use the same GSM frequencies as Australia.
Only 110V in the Middle East is an island belong to Bahrain that is on
the Causeway , and the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The island is
110V because while it is Bahrain, the electricity comes from the
Easterrn Province of Saudi Arabia. The Rest of Saudi Arabia is
240V/50hz, as is the rest of the Middle East.
Korea is also largely 110V, but also CDMA rather than GSM, Japan is
mixed, but no GSM at all.
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| John Phillips 2005-08-14, 5:48 pm |
| On Sat, 13 Aug 2005, at 16:40:04 [GMT -0700] (09:40:04 Sunday, 14 August
2005 where I live) "matt weber" wrote:
> Yes, but you can buy universal adapters. I have a copule that have
> retractable blades, fits European Schuco (with both ground styles),
> UK, Australia, and USA and is grounded properly . I standardized on UK
> style power cords years ago.
Last Palm I bought had an USA plug, with snap on adapters for most
countries, as part of the kit.
--
Can I yell "movie" in a crowded firehouse??
| |
| John Phillips 2005-08-14, 5:48 pm |
| On Sat, 13 Aug 2005, at 16:43:11 [GMT -0700] (09:43:11 Sunday, 14 August
2005 where I live) "matt weber" wrote:
> Japan is mixed, but no GSM at all.
www.gsmworld.com
3G GSM
--
What goes around usually gets dizzy and falls over.
| |
| Miguel Cruz 2005-08-14, 5:48 pm |
| matt weber <mattheww50@cox.net> wrote:
> mnc@admin.u.nu (Miguel Cruz) wrote:
>
> Yes, but you can buy universal adapters.
That's not really the point. Nokia is not going to tell its Australian
customers "Hi, here's your new phone, it has an Italian-style plug, but you
can go bugger off to Dick Smith's and buy yourself a plug adapter if you
want to use it here."
The chargers still need different plugs.
> I have a copule that have retractable blades, fits European Schuco (with
> both ground styles), UK, Australia, and USA and is grounded properly . I
> standardized on UK style power cords years ago.
Wow, you must not carry much stuff around; the size and weight of those
plugs is pretty significant. I use the delightfully compact US-style
grounded plugs.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos from 36 countries on 5 continents: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Queens Day in Amsterdam; the Grand Canyon; Amman, Jordan
| |
| Miguel Cruz 2005-08-14, 5:48 pm |
| matt weber <mattheww50@cox.net> wrote:
> mnc@admin.u.nu (Miguel Cruz) wrote:
>
> Only 110V in the Middle East is an island belong to Bahrain that is on
> the Causeway , and the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.
A pretty significant proportion of rich cellphone-toting foreigners living
in the middle east are in the eastern part of Saudi Arabia.
My house in Riyadh was 110v but that was about 8 years ago; perhaps things
have changed.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos from 36 countries on 5 continents: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Queens Day in Amsterdam; the Grand Canyon; Amman, Jordan
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