Electronic Adapters help!
 

I'll be traveling to Rome/Amsterdam/Barcelona and I would like to buy a travel adapter. Would I be able to use the same one in all 3 countries or should I buy different ones? Any advice where to get them/brand?

For my recent trip to the UK, I purchased a converter. Unforntunately,I told the staff I was visiting "Europe" and the staff didn't know there was a difference between the UK and continental European systems. My $40 converter was useless in the UK since it didn't come with a special plug or three "prongs", for lack of a better word. Luckily, my parents had a set of converters and plugs so we were o.k. My advice is to go to a travel store (forget Radio Shack!) and be sure to purchase a converter with enough wattage. Some of the cheaper models only handle small eletrical appliances up to 40 or 50 watts (for shavers and the like), but not blowdryers. The $40 one I purchased had the option of using the 40 watt setting or the 1600 watt setting; I guess that's why is was fairly expensive.

If you are speaking of the plug adaptor (and not a converter) all three countries have receptacles which accept the so-called "Continental plug" which has two round pins.

You can easily but these at places like Radio Shack.

Intrepid1,

Hopefully the OP won't have to go to my local Radio Shack. The staff didn't no anything. I went there upon my return to purchase a plug so my $40 converter could be used in the UK; they didn't know what I was talking about and I didnt' see any plugs on display. I'll be seeking out a travel store for such needs from now on.

>"Continental plug"
A "Continental plug" is only called "Continental plug" outside of the continent of Europe. Noone knows the term on the continent of Europe ;-)

Here's a link to plug adapters -- take the U.S. plug to fit into a European outlet.

GS-9 is used in most wall sockets where you would normally plug in a lamp.

GS-20 is used for most kitchens.

Get a few -- they're inexpensive.

http://www.voltageconverters.com/plug_adapters.html ((b))

I went to Walmart and bought the travellers pack that has all of the adaptors (worldwide) as also bought a transformer. If you have items that are 120/220, then all you need will be the adapter, if not, you will need the transformer...but when I went last october, I could not plug in my transformer because the hotel outlets had a third pin and I had to do a transformer + adaptor combo...so if in doubt bring both the transformer AND adaptor.

Mike

And if you bring a cable from the US, all you have to do is to buy a 1€ plug and a screwdriver when you arrive. Converters are dangerous and illegal if they don't carry the "CE" mark, so make sure your devices do work with 230V.

perfect, thanks for the links!