CAPH52

Before we went to Ireland three years ago, I ordered 4 plug adaptors. And, of course, I can find none of them now! We're also going to Barcelona (and the UK) on this trip.

I ran in Radio Shack yesterday and found out that they do carry the set for $20. If I have to, I can go with that. But I'd really prefer to buy individual adaptors rather than a set. Since we're going to be in Ireland for my daughter's wedding, we'll have friends and family there. So I'd like to have at least a couple of extras, just in case. And I'd really like to have at least two for Spain. Having to buy multiples of the set would be too expensive. Not to mention winding up with adaptors we don't need.

When I ordered three years ago, I used this website, courtesy of Budman:

http://www.voltageconverters.com/plug_adapters.html

I think PB-12 is the one I ordered for Ireland. Is that correct? And which one would we need for Spain? One of the other websites I saw linked in a Fodor's thread gave me th impression that Spain takes something a little different than some of the rest of Europe.

We're leaving two weeks from Sunday. So I've obviously left this later than I should have. If anyone knows of a place that sells individual adaptors (so that I wouldn't have to wait for them to come by mail), I'd love to hear it!

Also, the guy at Radio Shack tried to tell me we needed currency converters as well as adaptors. I know we haven't used them in Ireland before (for phones, laptops, etc.). Would we need them in Spain?

Thanks!

yk

Hi CAPH52- For Spain (and continental Europe), you need the adaptor with 2 round pins, so either GS104 or GS9 should work (for US electrical appliances). Are you sure all you need is an adaptor, but not adaptor + voltage converter?

jeff001

There is a complete list of the plug types and voltages here:
http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm
Most of Europe is on 220v while the US is 110v. If your transformer is marked something like "100-240v" (most are) all you need is the proper adapter. If not, you will need a need a converter to step down the 220 to 110.

CAPH52

I thought I was, yk. Now not so sure! I know all we've used in Ireland before was an adaptor. And that's all my daughter took when she did her internship there.

Do you use an adaptor/converter?

Thanks!

CAPH52

Thanks, Jeff. But what transformer?

CAPH52

Also, Jeff, the link you gave me is the website that made me wonder about Spain.

"A correspondent reports that in Barcelona's Barrio Gothic, voltage is 120 V 60 Hz using Types C & F plugs. Step up transformers are required to use typical European devices."

We're going to be staying in the Barri Gotic. So does that mean we need a different adaptor?

mmyk72

I bought individual adapters from an online vendor called eforcity.com. They were $2-3 each and arrived in 1 wk. You can do a search for the adapters by country.

I think UK takes a diff type than the rest of Europe, but Spain is the same as the rest of Europe (2 round shape narrow prongs).

Whether you need a converter depends on what you're plugging in. For things like phone / labtop, read the label on the power supply (the charger) and see if it says something like 110-220V (most do). If so, it can work without a converter and only needs a plug adapter to fit the electrical outlet.
Other electrical things like electric toothbrush charger, hairdryer, etc would need a converter since they would be made for the US system.

CAPH52

Perfect, mmyk! That website looks like just what I need! And I very much appreciate your explanation. I figured that was what Jeff meant by "transformer" but just wanted to be sure.

Thank you!

isplumm1

Hi,

Remember that you should be able to buy a UK plug which takes US style plugs at the airport in the UK ... you will need a 3-pin plug & it is different to the French ones.

Mark

spaarne

The plugs for Spain and Ireland are different. Spain uses the two round prong type and Ireland uses the British three flat prong type. That's the same as the UK item you mentioned as PB-12. Learn more at http://tinyurl.com/2y9zvv.

I just came back from London with time in Dublin. The rack of electric gizmos at LHR includes UK to USA adapters but not USA to UK. You couldn't buy one even if it was there because they are in the duty free zone, only available to departing passengers.

Bottom line is check your black bricks. If they are good for 120-240 volts do not use a transformer or converter. Just get plug adapters.

CAPH52

Thanks, Mark. Fortunately, Ireland and the UK take the same ones so I'm familiar with those (and don't need separate ones for those portions of our trip). But I appreciate your heads up.

CAPH52

Thanks, spaarne.

I ordered two UK ones and two Europe ones (which the website said will work in Spain) from the place mmyk suggested above. So I think I'm set. Though I'm still hoping at least one or two of our "old" ones will turn up before we leave!

Therese

And just for fun I'll go ahead and point out that the two adapters that I recently purchased for the UK (US-to-UK and Europe-to-UK, as my hair flat iron is wired for Europe) either did or didn't work depending on what I was plugging into them and what I was plugging them into. The apartment we rented had some wall outlets and some power strips (with surge protectors), and so there was a bit of trial and error involved but it all worked out in the end.

I've never had the problem with a US-to-Europe adapter. Oh well.

BeckieS

Rick Steves website was Adapters on sale for $1.00 each. I ordered mine a few weeks ago, I beleive there are still a few left.

spaarne

The outlets in UK and Ireland have an on-off switch next to them, on the same wall plate.