Electrical sockets - Round or Flat pin ?
 

What kind of electrical sockets are used in Spain ? In the US, we have 3 pin flat pins, and I am planning on taking my camcorder with me to Barcelona. Will this work in Barcelona, or do I need a convertor of some sort ? <BR><BR>Thanks ! <BR>Peter

All you need is an adapter plug, from flat to round pins.<BR>Radio Shack catalog # 980-0444 ($ 2.49).<BR>

I'm a little confused by your post, Peter. Your camcorder has three flat pins? Most US electical appliances I'm aware of have two flat and one round, the round one being a ground. Two things to watch for when you get an adaptor (yes you need two round pins for Spain):<BR>#1: If your plug has one flat pin larger than the other, as many do, make sure that both will fit into the adaptor plug. Sometimes the two flat holes on the adaptors will not accomodate the larger pin.<BR>#2: Make sure that the adaptor also has the gound hole (round pin) for your plug to fit into. Or if it doesn't make sure you can still insert your plug letting the round pin bypass the edge of the adaptor.<BR><BR>On the other hand if your plug really does have three flat pins, I'm not sure what to tell you.

Patrick: the adapter I suggested works fine. One slot is larger than the other one, and the round ground pin just slides on the side. There's no need for ground imo.<BR>I have plenty of them (lost a lot as well..), and I always find it silly to see airport shops selling fancy &quot;worldwide&quot; adapter plugs for $ 30 whereas this cheap thing is all you need for W. Europe.<BR>BTW you can buy it online if there's no Radio Shack in your area.

Just wondering,<BR> Does Spain have 220 or 110 volt? <BR> Peter, how long an extension cord on your camcorder?

Spain uses 220v. So check your camcorder to see that it accepts any voltage (or bring an adapter). Most likely, rechargable batteries are fairly flexible accepting 100-240 volts and 50-60 Hz. If you lost the owner's manual, the look at the fine print on the charger.

Jules, that's great. I didn't know the radio shack number, but a lot of the adaptors out there don't do what that apparently does.<BR>But we got so carried away with the adaptor pin we didn't check. Yes, Peter, is your camcorder a dual voltage? If not you will need a voltage adaptor for Spain's 220 as well as the adaptor plug.

<BR>Peter,<BR>My page www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap11/electric.htm provides some rudimentary information on electricity in Europe.<BR>Whether or not you need a &quot;converter&quot; (be careful with these things) or more properly a transformer depends on the power requirements on the nameplate of your charger/power unit. For sure you will need a plug adapter for the round hole outlets in Europe. <BR>