How many adapters to bring
 

We are bringing to Italy and France a Canon G3 PowerShot digital camera, an iPod shuffle and two cell phones (Motorola V600 and Nokia 7250i). How many adapters do we need to buy to use all four products in Europe?

Do we need converters too?

you won't need an converter for the canon g3, just an adaptor.

Assuming all your devices are worldwide products with 110-2400 VAC and 50-60Hz then you only need one adapter, and 1 multiplugg (i.e. an extensioncord with possibility of plugging in multiple devices). That way you can plug in lots of american devices and only use one adapter at the end.
Hope this made sense ?

Sindre

In simplified terms, the plug for continental western Europe, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, etc is all the same, two round pins. Therefore you only need one adapter. For converters, check your appliances.

Do NOT use ANY "extension cord" that isn't rated for 220 volt power. If you need one buy it in Europe.

Check the labels of all your items and if they are worldwide, as Cobos has wisely suggested, then a converter is unnecessary.

Buy the new TUMI adaper. It is good all over the world.

I don't get why a 110V extension cord wouldn't work. For a given power draw, the current at 220V would be one-half that of the lower-voltage wire.

P=IE

Robespierre:

Not to turn this into a technical thread, but hey, I'm a geek, so what the heck.

For electricity, there are two components to consider. 1st is the current carrying capability of the wire. The current passing through a wire is what causes it to warm up. This is the law you've stated. For a fixed power (P), which is dictated by the appliance itself, using twice the voltage (E) in Europe (220V vs 110V) means 1/2 the current (I). The appliances javawater quoted are all very low power. You could plug in and run 30 or more iPods, cameras & cell phones, all working full power and not draw as much current as a single hair drier or iron.

The other factor is the quality of the insulation between the 2 wires in a cord. In that case, the voltage does matter. In the range of 110V to 220V, there is no practical difference. The insulation on any US extension cord will be fine. Most lampcords in Europe are far less robust. A 25 year old US extension cord with cracked & frayed insulation I would avoid, but all of mine have been long lost (probably sucked up by my drier with all my missing socks)

I've actually gone one step further, and use a homemade extension cord with a European male end connected to a multi pronged US female end. This was made from a male adaptor purchased at a European electroncs store connected to a US extension cord with the in-the-wall end cut off. Works great in a meeting room where there one outlet and a bunch of my American colleagues all with laptops. I don't recommend you make one of your own unless you know what you're doing but it's handy for me.

I apologize if I've complicated this thread.

I recently asked at the Apple Store regarding using a converter with an iPod. I was told their recharger is a universal one, so all you need is the plug adapter and you're good to go.

This isn't technical yet. I²R losses haven't come up:o)

I apologize for my above comments as I was under the impression that a 110-rated cord would not be sufficent.

One learns something new every day. Thanks for the information.

I moved from California to France two years ago. I shipped about a dozen lamps and many other electric devices over here. I put French plugs on the lamps and screwed in French 220V bulbs and they all work just fine. Same for the other appliances. My Canon digital camera and some of my computer stuff (monitor, for example) have universal power supplies so those just needed plug adapters.