USA to Europe Adapter Plug
 

Hello! I'm traveling to Europe (more specifically, London, Paris, and Berlin) at the end of the summer and was wondering what adapter plug(s) I should purchase. I will only be charging my iPhone and camera battery (both 100V-240V).

From my research, it's my understanding that I will need two different types of adapter plugs. One for the UK's 3-prong style and one for France and Germany's 2-prong schuko. If this is true, does anyone have a universal adapter plug to recommend?

Thanks in advance for your response,
Keith

Yes, there are universal adaptor plugs like this one: http://www.amazon.com/MAXAH®-Protect...versal+adapter

We have a couple of these and always carry them on our travels.

You can buy them cheaply in any travel goods department. They come in a kit and then just take the 3 prong (UK) and 2 round prong (France) with you.

Here's a cheap version from Radio Shack but you can find them at Target, Kohl's, etc.

http://www.radioshack.com/search/ind...ter+plugs&sr=1

That link doesn't seem to work although they do have them. Here's another from Target

http://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=E...+adapter+plugs

Thanks for your replies. I'll order one now!

Just a reminder that to comply with UK 17th edition regulations, plug adapters should have sleeved pins and should be fused.

Most of the outlets in France are not Schuko, but the same kind of universal European plug that should be used for all but major appliances. I'm not sure of the situation in Germany, as I have no recent experience.

All of our chargers have European two-prong (not Schuko) plugs, and they've worked everywhere in France. In Italy, Schuko plugs, which have fatter prongs, are used on major appliances.

Here's a 2" cube that has 2 USB ports and also accommodates a regular plug. Haven't tried it yet, but have it on order.
http://www.amazon.com/Mudder%C2%AE-U...JVS9G199ERG39G

~Liz

<i>USA to Europe Adapter Plug
Posted by: Kaufkj44 on Aug 3, 14 at 5:00pm
From my research, it's my understanding that I will need two different types of adapter plugs. One for the UK's 3-prong style and one for France and Germany's 2-prong schuko. If this is true, does anyone have a universal adapter plug to recommend?</i>

Correct. However the devices recommended by others on this thread have the "Euro" 4.0 mm plug, not the "Schuko" 4.8 mm plug. See http://tinyurl.com/2y9zvv for images and more about Euro and Schuko plugs. It would be safer to use separate plugs for the UK and D/F rather than one of those multi do-all plugs.

Before you buy one of those 'all in one' adapters hang on a minute... I have one that proved to be useless in the Paris apartment we rented as the wall sockets were recessed and the large body of the all in one would not allow the pins to go into the socket far enough.

Buy 2 different adapters to be on the safe side.

For light weight applications, you can use either the 4.0mm Euro plug or the 4.8mm plug adapter.

However, if you need to hang a heavy brick type of charger, then you need 4.8mm plug adapter (Schuko is this type) or 4.0mm Euro plug adapter+ separate extension cord with multi outlets. The 4.0mm Euro plug adapter alone will be too loose in France/Germany to support weight at the outlet itself.

4.0mm Euro plug is a must in Italy where wall outlet sockets aren't always large enough for 4.8mm plugs.

Apple sells a travel kit for all of it's products. You can order it on line or pick one up at an Apple store or any place that sells Apple products. Depending on the camera, you should be able to purchase the UK/EU plug connection though the online store, or wait until you arrive and go to a camera store in the UK to buy required plug adaptor. The "universal" plug adapters suck!

They are readily available in luggage and travel stores, airports.

I t would be helpful to explain WHY "it sucked", as there are lots of positive reviews for the one I linked above. Perhaps yours was different?

~Liz

ParisAms is right, the large universal adapters often can't reach the recessed plugs in some hotels and flats.

I have several universal plugs that don't have those large bodies that won't go into the wall outlet. I agree that the big bulky plug bodies are not useful.

Most of the outlets I've seen in French hotels would not take a Schuko plug (if Greg says they're 4.8 mm I believe him) without an adapter.

Does anyone know if the Schuko outlets are nearly universal in Germany? We were under the impression that the whole EU was now supposed to use the Euro plug, except for major appliances (I think over 1500 watts.) Since we still see smaller appliances with Schuko plugs for sale in Italy, from German manufacturers, we've been wondering what's going on there.

If you travel to Europe often, why would you buy a bulky plug adaptor when the Euro plug is available, at least for Apple products? I have left (forgotten) the small plug adaptors in far too many outlets over the years and jumped at the change to buy the Apple Euro plugs for the computer and iPhone. It's much easier. The kits even have the UK plug, if you need it.

My reason for considering the Mudder linked above...

My next trip is to South America, but I will be traveling to the UK, and continental Europe again in the future. The Mudder would replace a handful of adapters, and it can charge my phone, tablet, and camera card at the same time.

~Liz

Currently in France and yes the recessed plugs are a pain for using an adaptor (and they are always in singles. No such thing as a double plug in France, and the recessed part is always dirty. Really a crappy, inferior plug system).

A skinny plug adaptor will fit in there for you. For my sonic toothbrush which is not dual voltage the round plug adaptor is used to breech the space between the recessed French plug and the boxy voltage adaptor.

<i>bvlenci on Aug 4, 14 at 2:47pm
Most of the outlets I've seen in French hotels would not take a Schuko plug (if Greg says they're 4.8 mm I believe him) without an adapter.
Does anyone know if the Schuko outlets are nearly universal in Germany? We were under the impression that the whole EU was now supposed to use the Euro plug,</i>

Those must be very old French hotels. All of Europe now uses Schuko as a standard, except Italy, Switzerland, UK, Ireland, and someplace else which proves the exception. Yes, a Euro plug will fit in a Schuko style outlet. Also, a child's foot will fit in your shoes. Doesn't make it right, or safe.