Q&A: Powering Up Overseas - NYTimes.com June 4, 2012, 6:11 am I am going to Europe and plan to take my mobile phone. I looked on the power adapter and the label said it did ranges from 100 to 240 volts. Does that mean I don't need to pack an electrical converter for the trip? Most consumer electronic devices (like mobile phones, media players, cameras, laptops, e-book readers and so on) come with power adapters that can handle a range of voltages and frequencies without the need for an extra converter. If the label on your adapter says something like "Input: 100-240VAC," along with a reference to "50-60 Hz," it should be fine operating in countries with electrical voltage running between 100 volts and 240 volts, and frequencies of 50 to 60 hertz. Most power adapters have their voltage information listed in tiny type on the side or sometimes between the prongs. If you plan to visit several countries in Europe, you can look up the electrical standard for each stop on the trip on the International Trade Administration's Electric Current Worldwide page. Although you probably will not need to take a voltage converter, you will need a plug converter to slip over the flat American prongs so you can stick your adapter into an electrical socket to charge your phone. You can usually find these adapters for less than $10 in travel shops. Again, if you plan to visit multiple countries, a universal plug adapter that fits several types of outlets is a tidy solution. Kensington's versatile $20 International Travel Plug Adapter is one option. Apple sells its own $39 World Travel Adapter Kit for iPhone, iPad and iPod owners who want to stick with the company's glossy white power accessories. Electronics shops like Radio Shack and travel-supply stores are also sources of electrical gear for globetrotters. Some universal adapters include built-in surge protection, but you can also get separate surge protectors to guard against potentially uneven current.