Planning a trip overseas involves a lot of planning and packing, but you may not have considered the need for voltage converters, voltage transformers and plug adapters. If you're heading outside the country, and especially if you're heading off the continent, and taking electrical devices with you, you'll need to do some homework and some preparation so you can safely use your equipment without blowing it - or the electrical grid - up.

One of the first things you'll learn when your heading overseas is that there is no international standard for the power supply and power outlets. While there are some similarities and commonalities within some international regions, you'll find a surprising array of different electrical standards from one country to the next. Even worse, adapter plugs and converters can be surprisingly hard to find when you reach your destination. It's far easier and less expensive to buy equipment like voltage converters, voltage transformers and plug adapters before you leave home.

What You'll Probably Need

A voltage converter or voltage transformer should go on your most needed list. Basically, there are three types of electrical devices that can change the voltage from the outlet into the power your devices need. The type you choose will depend on the type of electrical/electronics equipment you want to plug in.

Voltage Converters

If you need to power an electrical device, a voltage converter will do the trick. Electrical devices are appliances that use heating elements or mechanical motors. Those include personal and grooming appliances like hair dryers, curling irons and electric shavers and toothbrushes, as well as other small appliances like coffee makers, clothes irons and water kettles.

Voltage Transformers

If you're bringing along electronic devices, you'll need to look at voltage transformers rather than voltage converters. Electronic devices use chips, circuit boards or electronic motors. Those include MP3 players, cameras, cell phones, e-readers, battery chargers and laptop computers.

Voltage Converter/Transformers

Voltage converters won't work with consumer electronics - in fact, they can damage the delicate circuitry and destroy your MP3 player or laptop. Electrical devices, on the other hand, will usually run off a voltage transformer. If you're uncertain - or if you're bringing both electrical devices and consumer electronics - you don't have to carry along two different electrical current devices. Instead, opt for a combination voltage converter/transformer, which will automatically choose what type of conversion is needed and supply the right electricity for your device.

Step Up? Step Down? Wattage?

To choose the right electrical transformer for your needs, you need to know a couple of things. First, you need to know the voltage requirements for your devices and the voltage standards in your destination country. If the voltage standards in your destination country are higher than the voltage requirements for your device, you'll need a step down voltage converter. If the voltage standards are lower than the voltage requirements for your device, you'll need a step up converter. That is, if your device uses 110v and the country uses 220v, you need a step down converter or transformer. If it's vice versa, you need a step up converter or transformer.

One of the best, most flexible options is an all-in-one step up and down voltage converter/transformer, which does exactly what it sounds like: it steps up or down the voltage depending on the need, and chooses between voltage converter and voltage transformer, again, depending on the device.