The University of Tulsa College of Law has programs in

• Dublin, Ireland
• China
• Argentina
• Geneva, Switzerland, and
• London, England

If you need more information about the programs themselves, please consult the pages located here.

On this page, we hope to provide some links and tips to travelling abroad with your laptop computer. There are two main issues that you will have to deal with as a "wired" traveller:

1. Power

   With regard to power, there are three things you have to be concerned about: line voltage, line frequency, and plug type.

   1. Voltage

      In the United States, standard wall outlets provide 110-120 volts AC. Almost all plug-in devices expect that voltage and will be severely damaged if plugged in to the wrong voltage outlet. Many newer computers have "universal power supplies", which adjust automatically to differences in voltages and frequency. Check your laptop's power supply. If it doesn't say that it will work from 110-220 volts, you'll need a power converter.

   2. Frequency

      The United States standard for the frequency of AC power is 60 Herz or 60 cycles per second. This means that the AC power source changes polarity (or "alternates") 60 times per second. In many other countries in the world, AC power changes polarity at a frequency of 50 Herz or 50 cycles per second. You also need to check your power supply to make sure that it will work with both 50 and 60 Herz frequencies.

   3. Plug type

      You'll need to make sure you have the right type of plugs to adapt your plug to local wall outlets. Adapter kits are easily obtained. Wal-Mart sells one for $9.95. Despite the fact that more than a dozen different types of plugs are in use, a typical travel adapter kit usually contains about five adapters, which are capable of dealing with most of the outlets used in different countries. Adapters often manage this versatility by bypassing the ground/earth wire.

2. Telecommunications
   1. Phone Plug/Jack types

      While our standard United stated type phone jack (RJ-11) is gaining popularity around the world, there is still much variation in phone jack types around the world. Here is a list of they types of adapters you may need for the countries you will be traveling in:

      Ireland

      • (Nothern) Uses the British type - BT431A Ireland (Republic) uses the standard US RJ-11

      Belgium

      • Uses the Belgian adapter and the US RJ-11

      France

      • Uses the French type.   RJ-11 connections may be encountered on phones, but may be wired opposite U.S. style (outside conductors used instead of inside).

      Switzerland

      • Uses the Swiss Type and the US RJ- 11.
   2. Digital and Analog Lines

      Your PC's modem is designed to operate with standard analog phone lines, such as those found in most homes. Unfortunately, many hotels and office buildings use digital systems (PBX), which operate at a higher electrical current than analog lines and can cause irreversible damage to your modem, and potentially your laptop. It is recommended you include a "Modem Saver" in your laptop accessories. The modem saver detects excess current, reversed polarity, and AC current in a phone jack and will tell you whether it's safe to connect your modem.

   3. Tax Impulses and other gotchas

      Tax impulsing is a connection-disrupting noise pulse found in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Spain, and Switzerland. Tax impulsing is used in these countries to monitor the length of telephone calls for billing purposes. It can cause data errors or even disconnects. To avoid this problem, purchase a Tax Impulse Filter. Many Modem Savers are equipped with Tax Impulse Filters.

3. Lexis and Westlaw Information

Watch this space for information about Westlaw and Lexis issues for our various overseas programs. While we're developing this material, please contact David Gay with your Lexis and Westlaw questions.

Links