"Its Electrifying!" Help with Adapters in Europe (Everywhere)
 

Hi,
*Thanks for in advance to reading this post and contributing in any way.

I am going to be leaving in three weeks for vacation abroad for a few months and I am planning on taking a few electronic devices with me. I have been racking my brain and asking Google countless times but am not getting a clear understanding. It is frustrating trying to find an adapter that will work best for me.

I know I will be bringing:
Samsung Galaxy S3
Cannon digital camera

According to my research it looks like I will only need a "plug adapter" for devices and they do not require any conversion.

Now the hard part... I am going to be in London, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and France.

Why is it soo hard to find plugs that will fit each location.?
I've searched and found "universal" adapters but then as I look at the details there are notices that say "does not work in Italy" or "does not work" here or there.

I have also come across adapters that ARE "all in one international adapters" but have warnings that include "not for electronics" or for "hair dryer coffee maker only"
Or even found sites wanting to sell a pack of 12 adapters to one specific country which is broken down by type. Ex: Type G, Type L etc. (almost seems unnecessary for 12).

It would be really great to have some help advice on what to buy and which product known to have worked and it which country. I don't mind buying various types I'm just very lost about which to buy.

Thanks Again.

Excited Traveler

I dont understand the problem.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...ptors%20europe
There are lots to choose from

Basically since those devices you own are sold WORLDWIDE you should not need any converter equipment but only plug adaptors as you have stated.

And you really only need two

one for the UK and one with two round pins for the other countries.

The so-called "Continental plug" with the two round pins can come in a variety of SLIGHT variations (some add a third pin but the two-pin will still work in those sockets) including base configurations..square-shaped, diamond-shaped, etc. but try not to buy something you'll end up never using.

You might consider taking an extension cord...I do it all the time..makes plugging two devices in simultaneously a lot easier.

You can get an all in one adapter - which will cover all possible sockets you will come across in Europe. Get one with a surge protector if you are at all worried. Also Belkin do a 3 outlet/powered usb device which you could then plug into your adapter to save carrying an extension cord.

I hope you have taken into account the Schengen 90 day rule in your few months of travel, since all the countries you list, except the UK are Schengen zone.

<< Why is it soo hard to find plugs that will fit each location.? >>

Maybe it's where you live but I can buy adapters at my local hardware store and I'm sure places like Target, Home Depot, etc. sell them. I've used the same adapter in France, Germany, and Italy plus many other European countries.

Amazon, and international airports sell the adapters. So if your local store doesn't have them look at Amazon or a similar site.

Buy two of these: http://www.amazon.com/Kensington-331.../dp/B0002H4YUI

And one of these: http://www.amazon.com/BESTEK-Univers.../dp/B00BMJ65VQ

And call it done.

You need at least two. It is best to have three.

For discussion on voltage, see "Electrical Information for Computers, Cameras, iPods, Etc." at http://electricaloutlet.org/electricaloutlettable. Which confirms that you don't need voltage converter. The confusing wordings such as "not for electronics" or for "hair dryer coffee maker only" refer to the voltage converter, which you don't need for the list of gadgets you mentioned.

If you go with 2-adapter solution, one easy way to do this is to get http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/ca...ntId=126&id=24. With these 2 plugs, it works correctly in UK, correctly in Italy, and "usable" in Germany, France, etc. I would explain this later.

If you go with 3-adapter solution for best match, this is what you need.

Plug #1: UK plug, the same as the 2-plug solution.
Plug #2: The 4.8mm diameter plug for Germany, France, Switzerland, etc. http://www.internationalconfig.com/documents/30301.pdf.
Plug #3: The 4.0mm diameter plug for Italy. http://www.internationalconfig.com/documents/30300.pdf

The Rick Steves's 2-adapter solution is a package of
Plug #1 and Plug #3. The 4.0mm plug will "fit" in 4.8mm outlets and is usually usable. If you try to use the 4.0mm plug in a worn out 4.8mm outlet, you will find that the plug barely stays in the outlet especially with heavy chargers.

Now, many people would say they had never had problem using only one type of two-prong adapters. They are correct. They either have the 4.0mm Plug #3, or that they might be traveling with the 4.8mm Plug #2, but only happened to be at Italian hotels that use 4.8mm outlets for international travelers.

Click this http://tinyurl.com/2y9zvv for an illustrated introduction to European electricity. That will probably answer your questions.