GENERAL
PREPARATIONS
LIFE IN GENOA
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
updated: 3 August 2022
The electrical current in Europe is 220-240 volts, in the US it is 110-120 volts. A US appliance that you bring to Europe and plug in using only an ADAPTER may be ruined. You will need to have a TRANSFORMER to lower the voltage to an acceptable level for your appliance to function and to survive.
Small domestic appliances should be bought here in Italy. This is particularly true of appliances that use electrical resistance to generate heat, like hairdryers. You can get a cheap one for about 15 euros. If you bring yours it may be ruined.
All laptop computers and camera battery chargers should have transformers/chargers that allow them to work in both the US and Europe. Look on the transformer at the “input”. Be sure it says “110-240”. Then all you need is an adapter to allow you to plug it in. It is recommended that when you get here you buy a new cord with an Italian plug that will connect directly to your laptop charger. That way you won’t have to worry about the adapter as a separate element.