Power converters for The United Arab Emirates

What does a power converter for a United Arab Emirates power outlet do?

A power converter allows travellers to use a 100, 110 or 120 volt electrical device with a 220 volt United Arab Emirates power outlet.

Also known as: electrical converter, electrical transformer, voltage converter, power transformer or voltage transformer.

What is the difference between a plug adapter and a power converter for The United Arab Emirates?

A cheap, small and lightweight power adapter (or plug adapter) changes the shape of the plug on your appliance to fit into a power outlet in The United Arab Emirates, but a heavier and more expensive power converter will transform a 220 volt United Arab Emirates power outlet to work with a non-220 volt appliance. [3] [AD]

Do I need a power converter for The United Arab Emirates?

If visiting The United Arab Emirates from a different country please ensure your device can accept a 220 volt power supply.

  • You need a step down power converter if you are visiting The United Arab Emirates from a country that uses 100-120 volts and your device or appliance won't support 220 volts. See the WikiConnections world power outlets guide to see which voltage your country uses.
  • You shouldn't need a power converter if you already use either a single voltage device that works with 220 volts or one that supports dual voltage.
  • Normally electrical devices designed for a lower voltage such as 110 volts and used with 220 volts run a risk of a blown fuse, damage to your device or even an electrical fire hazard.
  • You don't need a power converter if you need to charge a smaller electrical device such as a cell phone or laptop as these are normally designed for international use and dual voltage, however please always check the device for dual voltage support prior to your journey.
  • When supplying power to appliances which draw more power or generate heat (such as hair dryers or clothes irons) then you will need to use a more expensive higher wattage heavy duty power converter.
  • Investing a smaller robust dual voltage travel appliance could be more cost effective and practical than trying to carry a much heavier power converter just to use your existing domestic appliance in The United Arab Emirates.
  • Read these guides on how to use clothes irons, curling wands, hair dryers and flat irons with a United Arab Emirates power outlet which includes advice for some affordable dual voltage alternatives.  [3] [4] [AD]

What kind of converter do I need for The United Arab Emirates?

You need to use a step down power converter which will allow you to use any 100, 110 or 120 volt appliance with a 220 volt United Arab Emirates power outlet. [3] [AD]

What is the difference between a converter and a power transformer?

Voltage converter

What is the difference between a converter and a power transformer?

Converters and transformers are both used to change one voltage to another, but this ambiguity can cause confusion as their purposes are different:

  • Power converters are designed for simple electrical appliances which typically generate heat or use motors such as clothes irons, shavers or hair dryers. Transformers are designed for more complex electronic items such as televisions or games consoles.
  • Buying a power converter is cheaper than buying a power transformer.
  • Power transformers are larger and heavier making them more suited for permanent residential use; for example an expat wishing to use an imported television would need to use a transformer for this purpose.
  • Power converters are more suitable for travellers wishing to bring domestic appliances abroad such as hair dryers or flat irons. However, it is more practical and cost effective to purchase a dual voltage appliance designed for travel rather than a heavier power converter.
  • Power converters are suitable for 2 pin ungrounded appliances, it could be harder to find a converter if you want to use a grounded 3 pin appliance.
  • Transformers can be used constantly however it is recommended that converters are used for no longer than a couple of hours at a time.
  • Shops may sell transformers under the name of converters, for the purposes this guide we will be referring to both converters and transformers as converters.

How to convert 220 volts to 110 volts

  1. Use a step down power converter to allow you to use a 110 or 120 volt appliance with a 220 volt United Arab Emirates 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 The United Arab Emirates before plugging that into a United Arab Emirates 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 to the 110-120 volt range.
  4. Plug your appliance into the converter and turn the power on, your 110-120 volt appliance can now be used with a 220 volt United Arab Emirates power outlet. [3] [AD]

What voltage does The United Arab Emirates use?

The United Arab Emirates uses 220 volts in their normal power outlets. [2]

https://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/
What voltage is my device?

Dual voltage hair straighteners

What voltage is my device?

The easiest way to tell if a device is dual voltage is to check for either a sticker or numbers printed on the charger or on the device itself, normally on the rear or near to where the power cord plugs into. The location might vary depending on the make or model of your device and could also be written on the box.

  • Single voltage devices could have a specific number - such as 110V.
  • Single voltage devices might also have a small voltage range (around 20 volts) with a dash to accomodate small voltage fluctuations - such as 100-120V.
  • Dual voltage devices will normally say a large voltage range separated with a slash - such as 100/240V.

  1. Wikipedia - United Arab Emirates Wikipedia web page.
  2. iec.ch - International Electrotechnical Commission World Plugs
  3. Power converter - Heavy-duty power converters are designed to convert voltage levels between different electrical standards, shifting between 110V/120V and 220V/240V with both 50Hz and 60Hz, often incorporating safety features such as fuse protection and circuit breakers..
  4. Heavy duty power converter - Heavy-duty power converters robust voltage transformation capabilities for designed for high-wattage devices, making them best suited for appliances like kettles and hair dryers that consume a significant amounts of power..