United States of America Technical Information for Travelers

United States of America (USA) Technical Information – In Short

United States of America (USA) Technical Information – In Details

United States of America (USA) Voltage

The voltage in United States of America is 120 V which makes it compatible with the 110 V voltage in the United States of America, Canada, and Japan.

120 V has an advantage over higher voltage such as the 230 V voltage that it is considered generally safer as it is less powerful. On the other hand, it costs more to transmit power to the end user using 120 V as copper lines must be thicker, hence lower voltages are generally used by wealthy countries.

United States of America (USA) Electrical Frequency

The electrical frequency in United States of America is 60 Hz.

Note that most household and electrical/electronic equipments nowadays support multiple frequencies, so generally, electrical frequency is not an issue compatibility wise.

United States of America (USA) Plug/Socket Type(s)

The plugs used in United States of America are A or B.

Plugs/sockets are usually an issue when it comes to traveling, so always make sure you travel with a universal plug adapter.

United States of America (USA) DVD Region

United States of America uses DVD Region 1.

DVD Region 1 is mainly used by North America (US and Canada), and the US Territories.

Note that a region 1 DVD cannot play on a DVD player supporting another region. There are, however, some region free DVD players available that can be used to overcome this.

United States of America (USA) Blu-ray Region

United States of America uses Blu-ray Region A.

Blu-ray Region A is used in North/Central/South America, Japan, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

Theoretically, a region A Blu-ray disc should not play in Blu-ray disc players supporting another region. However, most Blu-ray discs are now region free (meaning they can work on any Blu-ray disc player), and most Blu-ray players are also region free. Hence, compatibility is rarely an issue (for now) when it comes to Blu-ray discs.

United States of America (USA) GSM Freqency(ies)

United States of America uses the following GSM frequencies: GSM 1900 / GSM 850.

When travelling, make sure that your phone supports the GSM frequency of the country you’re traveling to. Usually the supported GSM frequencies are printed on the box of your phone as well as its manual.

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