Do I need a converter or an adapter?

Do I need an international adapter/converter for 100-240 volt chargers?

• I'm going to Japan, Greece, Austria, and various other places around Europe and I'll need to charge my phone, computer, camera, and possibly use my own hair dryer. All of my chargers say they use 100-240 volts. I know Japan uses 100 volts, the US uses about 150 volts and Europe uses up to 240 volts. Do I need a converter as well as an outlet adapter? What adapter and/or converter do you recommend? I need one that can support my 3 prong laptop plug. Someone also told me that in Japan, instead of buying an adapter I can go to a Hyaku-En shop and get a surge protector as they're thin enough that I can plug in my 3-prong outlet and just have the grounder hang off the side. Anyone know if this is true?

• Answer:

  For your chargers, you only need a plug adapter. You should check your hair dryer. Get a travel one which has a 120V and 240V mode. USA uses 120V nominally. A US hair dryer can work on 100V, with slightly less heat output. A 240V hair dryer will work on 120V, but with 1/4 heat output. A grounded device should use a grounded adapter, and the ground connected to ground. In the UK or other countries which use a UK style outlet, you must use a fused adapters.