I can't find a site that clearly defines the outlet adapter types with the respective countries. I know that some of the EU cities are using a round recessed outlet that won't accept the RS EU adapters that I already have. Some sites identify adapter types by letter, but don't have an accompanying pix. Any insights? THX
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
My simple 2-prong adapters like this one have worked everywhere in continental Europe I've been, including Austria and Czech Republic:
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5836 posts
https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plug-voltage-by-country/
Austria 230 V 50 Hz Type C / F
Czechia (Czech Republic) 230 V 50 Hz Type C / E
Type C for ungrounded two conductor
Type F and E are similar and for grounded devices
See images: https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/
Posted by
Houston
3519 posts
When visiting Austria and Prague (as well as everywhere else on the Continent) I have used the simple 2 round pin adapter sold right here in the RS store with no issues, even in the recessed plug types. They did give a challenge in some cases removing them from those plugs.
None of the devices I use required a grounded plug or anything else special, think cell phones and small tablet type computers, which draw very low power amounts.
Posted by
OP
San Diego, California
4710 posts
Thank you all SO much- this is exactly the info I needed!
Posted by
texas
6 posts
I'm glad that I found this. We are heading to Austria next week and I was wondering about charging our iPhones/iPads/Watches. We have the two pronged continental EU adapter that RS sells so I'm imagining that we will be okay.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
The type C adapter, the one with two round pins, is limited in Europe to appliance drawing less than 2½ amps (575 watts). That means no hair dryers can be plugged into them, even if they don't require a ground. Secondly, most European power (except grounded Switzerland power) is not polarized (one side specifically at ground potential), so US appliances (primarily hair curlers and straighteners) that are polarized (one blade wider), should not be used in Europe. Receptacles in Austria are type F; in Czechia, they use type E (French Schuko), which has a protruding grounding pin. Actually, most Schuko plugs accept the protruding grounding pin and can be used in either type E or type F receptacles.
The UK is entirely different.
Posted by
1908 posts
... so US appliances ... that are polarized (one blade wider), should not be used in Europe.
This is not true, except you you have safety concerns when you tinker inside the appliance.
As long as there is no fault in the appliance, polarization makes no practical difference. If there is a fault, however, polarization helps to reduce the potential for shocks or fires. A typical appliance gets its electricity through two wires, a “hot” and a “neutral”: one attaches directly to the working parts of the appliance, the other goes through the appliance’s on-off switch. The appliance doesn’t care which. But humans using the appliance do care: polarization makes sure that it is the “hot” wire that goes through the switch of the appliance, so that as long as the switch is off, no electricity is even entering the working parts of the appliance. For example, if a lamp is properly wired with a polarized plug into a polarized outlet, and it is turned off, you could stick your finger in the lamp’s bulb socket without getting a shock. If the lamp is improperly wired, you would get a shock, even though the lamp switch is off.
Posted by
1908 posts
We have a SKROSS adapter. There are different variations available, but as far as I know it is the only manufacturer which has adapters up to 2500W power in case you want to bring your hair dryer with you.
SKROSS is a Swiss quality product, but there are numerous copies offered, mainly produced by far-east companies.
http://www.skross.com/en/category/9/world-travel-adapter.html