ok i might be moving to Zurich from New York.

If i do i have the choice of selling my electronics and buying new ones in europe which is not preferable bc then i will have to pay the NEW/USED spread.

OR

I can try to find a a converter for my:

42 INCH PLASMA FLAT SCREEN HITACHI TV
PS 3
Computer ( DELL XPS 710, three monitors)

Are there any US expats that have actually brought with them there US electronics or do i truly run the risk of blowing them up even with the appropiate converts.

Tks in advance....

I brought a laptop and various AC chargers for smaller devices (camera, MP3 player, etc.) So far I haven't fried anything.

Check the voltage rating on each device. Some of them - most laptops, for instance - can handle 100-240V. For these you only need a converter, not a transformer. For the rest, you do need a transformer or they will be toast.

I think you need to check that the TV is PAL compatible. The US uses a different system (NTSC). Usually US TVs aren't compatible with PAL. (the new generation of flat screens I don't know). So you will need to check the specs on that and check that is it dual voltage.

Computer should be totally fine. TV, will not work over here. The voltage is wrong and the cable system won't work.

Anything that is dual voltage can be brought over and used without a problem. All electronics that will be compatible will have 100-240 V somewhere on the power supply. For laptops and the like there is usually a cord that is detachable that cord can be switched once over here to connect to the plug in without needing an adaptor.

At Radioshack they have these awesome adaptors that can be used anywhere. They are red and plastic and you push a little button on the side to make whatever plug type you need to come out the back and you can plug anything from anywhere into it.

You won't be able to watch TV on your plasma but it should still work with the PS3 and DVD players... US converter on EBAY: around $20 inc. postage..

Just be sure to change that little switch saying 120-230v on the back, or you'll be calling us to come and fix it... (have done about 8 so far this year).

Or save time and buy my 2 converters that I have up for sale in the market place. We can always talk about the price if needed. I just want them out of my guest room.

tks everyone for input

I'm here in Zurich now with my Sony VAIO desktop computer.
I really believed that it would do the 100-240v conversion, as most modern electronics do. (With the help of the adapter plug, no actually currency modification needed).
Big surprise. It appears that my computer is "100-120 only" (says on the back), 4.7A 50-60HZ. I'm lead to believe this means 564W (4.7A x 120v).
1. As my electrical cord (from computer to wall) is detachable, like most of them are these days, could I buy a cord that handles this transformer functionality?
2. It appears I need a "transformer"... any idea where one buys a transformer for a desktop computer? (ie solid enough to handle the constant power transfer?)

Great thanks... I can't wait to turn my computer on after 3 months without it.

Washbrol

If you wish to purchase a new notebook transformer, from Sony that will handle 120-240vAC, send me a PM or an email to our company.
The transformers are available as well through us.
How large a unit do you need?

See your private message for a new internal PSU. No need for an external transformer.

This is not exactly answer to your question but something to consider if you plan to buy PS3 games here. Not sure about PS3 but European games do not work with my imported Xbox due to region coding.

As they said, the Plasma TV will not likely work unless it is multisystem TV. When our last TV died in the US I tried looking for one knowing I'd relocate to Europe, and they're pretty hard to come by. So unless you were specifically looking for one, you don't have one.

Most electronics manufacturers are wising up to the game and making 100 - 240AC adapters. Not all though. I got a 300, 500, and 1000W transformers and we haven't even taken the 1000W out of the box. I got a little 50w thing in a travel kit that we use a lot. My DVD player uses a measley 7 watts and I've got it attached to a 300W transformer. What a waste.

Your PC will probably be able to handle both 110 & 240, but be careful, they aren't usually automatic. There's a little switch on the back you have to change manually. If dont...kaflooey.