My friend has an outlet converter that she used in Spain.
Will this one work in Germany and France as well?

Yes.

Is that plug adapter or voltage converter? You can google up a bunch. A local luggage store will sell these adapters and usually have a picture chart showing you what's what.

Here is a link showing the different types.

http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap11/electric.htm

2 important things to keep in mind: check the plug on your electrical devices and see if you will need a 2 or 3 hole receptacle [with a ground prong or not] and be sure that the adapter can handle the prongs. Also, make sure the adapter is deep enough, some European plugs are set pretty far into a "casing" and a short adapter won't reach.

We used one like this:
http://www.amazon.com/American-Europ...5398329&sr=8-2

What is an <i>outlet converter</i>?

Are you talking about a plug adapter or some type of voltage step down device?

It's a simple question and answered quite well by ParisAmsterdam. An "outlet converter" is a common plug adapter.

I'm sorry, i meant to say adapter.

But maybe i will need a converter as well? I only need to charge my phone and camera.

Do you guys think i need a voltage converter?

e.g. My camera charger says "Input: ~100V-240V Output: 4.2V 0.25A"

You camera is good to go with a simple plug adapter. And there is a world difference in the meaning between an adapter and a converter. They sometimes get used interchangeably but they are not same. And the result could be very bad if used improperly.

No, you will not need a voltage converter unless you're packing something ancient, before the digital age. All GSM mobile phones and digital cameras can handle the standard voltage range (100V-240V).

Ok, i watched this video showing different outlets and it looked like the ones in Germany and Spain are the same, but the ones i Switzerland and France are unique. Are you sure my friend's adapter will work?

The issue is the design of the outlet housing, not the prongs. Other than the UK, the Europeans generally use the same prong styles (round) but the actual connection may be buried into the wall (this is true for France) as opposed to being flush with the wall (Spain).

Your camera will work without a converter, the phone likely will too. If you connect them to the power source with a USB plug, just get a USB multihub power station (see iGo) and connect that to the adapter so you can plug a bunch of things in at once.

To charge my iPad do I need a converter or an adapter?

Adapter for iPad

for the IPad, which should be dual voltage, you'd only need an adapter. Now if you want to use a hair dryer, curling iron, flat iron, or electric shaver and they are not dual voltage, just buy one. I have burned out many of my non-dual voltage grooming appliances (as has my husband) trying to use the stupid converter I bought. Never worked right. Now I have dual voltage for all my travel appliances. Oh, I'd also remember an extension cord & multiple adapters. There are never enough outlets where you need them.

Big Russ: Ok, so you're saying i need to get something else for France because the connection is too deep in the wall for the Spain adapter, right?
And will the Spain adapter work in Germany and Switzerland?

A USB thing is for a computer though right? I don't have one.

You don't necessarily need something different, you'll just have to push further into the wall. You cannot find a "France" adapter v. a Spain adapter - the adapters will at most differentiate between No. Europe and So. Europe but most don't even do that because the European plugs are the same. Here's an inexpensive adapter: http://www.amazon.com/All---One-Trav...3553187&sr=8-2

USB cables power cameras, phones, ipads, notebook computers and more. An ipad has a power cable that attaches to a plug through a usb connection. So does our sony camera and my old POS phone that is now unlocked.