Adaptor advice

If your device(s) are multi-voltage (100V - 240V) then all you should need is a plug adapter, a passive mechanical device that plugs into a receptacle in the UK and accepts an American plug. Here is one, for $1, that will work.

If you don't want to buy one in advance, it is possible that the place you are staying in will provide one for you.

You could also check with the hotel ahead of time - I'm finding more and more hotels are offering multiple types of plug (Euro, UK, American, USB). They may have already incorporated the options into the room.

Great info. Thanks!!

buy the RS one for a buck. it's a deal. get two! But know, outside or GB and Ireland it's useless.

Can't go wrong with only spending a buck! Awesome price!
Thanks for letting me know.

In the event you have devices without 110-240v chargers, you can get a travel transformer at travel stores or places like Lowe's or Home Depot. They generally come with multiple adapters one would need when traveling. All newer electronics come with 100-240v chargers.

Don't bother bringing anything with a heater in it.
https://www.theroamingboomers.com/how-safe-are-your-electronics-in-england/

The RS one linked to may technically "work" in the sense that the pins fit the receptacle but appears not to meet UK safety standards (shame on RS!) as from the picture it is not fused, and the live / neutral pins are not sleeved . (It may be OK in other countries.)

Buy one in the UK where it ought to meet proper local standards.

I suspect that if the RS adaptors were a problem, it would have been a "hot" topic here long before now

Have used the European version with no issues

It is - it gets brought up most times they are linked to and not just by me. No member of staff has yet refuted what I have said above; I only wish they were able to clarify. There is no visible BS approval marking ether.

The position with the UK is unlike most countries as wiring is of a ring rather than radial design and relies on the plug being fused for safety. Incidentally it is a widespread problem with companies situated outside the UK selling adaptors not meeting UK standards, so it isn't just RS. Take a read through http://www.bs1363.org.uk/html/adaptors.html for some other examples from elsewhere, mainly Amazon and Ebay.

Caveat emptor.

Yes, UK ring circuits are rated at 32amp, whereas radial circuits are usually rated at 16amp, hence the need for UK adapters to be fused (13amp) and have sleeved pins.

Like this:
http://shanitech.com/ekmps/shops/0e5aad/images/shanitech-travel-adaptor-plug-uk-visitor-from-usa-australia-eu-china-to-uk-adapter-[3]-24-p.jpg

Here's one from Wilko, a well-known UK high street variety store:

http://www.wilko.com/electrical-accessories/wilko-travel-power-visitor-to-uk-adaptor/invt/0323226

They often have them cheaper in the shop.

Marco, good information. I learned something. I always cringe when people use the little "euro" adapters that are specifically designed to circumvent the ground pin in both the socket and the plug. Not necessary when a few dollars more will get you the correct adapter. The $1 UK adapter seems to fall into the same catagory.

Don't bother bringing anything with a heater in it.

^^That is key advice! Leave your 110v USA hairdryer at home, and any curling or flat irons too. Voltage transformers are bulky, heavy, and don't always play nice with your device and your hotel's electrical system. I know some people like them. But I've seen fellow travelers lug them along, only to experience failure. I wouldn't waste a nickel or a minute with one. There are much better choices.

Here are my recommended options for your hair dryer:

1. Don't bring one at all. Your hotel(s) or B&B(s) will likely provide them in the room or on request. Probably in self-defense to keep North American guests from frying the electric wiring when they try to use their hair dryers from home.

2. Before you leave home, buy a "travel" hair dryer, which will have dual voltages. Be sure to switch the voltage to the 220/240 setting before you leave home. I did that a couple of years ago; needed it for an overnight stay with friends and I think in one bargain B&B. Maybe that B&B would have provided a hair dryer on request but it was easier to use mine. EDITED to add: you'l need a plug adapter - and be sure to get a high quality one per the discussion above.

3. Buy an inexpensive (or expensive, I don't care) hair dryer in the UK. Chain stores to shop include Boots, Superdrug, and Argos. They are everywhere.

If you use a curling iron or flat iron (the latter is called a "hair straightener" in the UK), forget option #1 above. As to #2 I don't think "travel" aka dual-voltage models of those things are as readily available in the US as dual-voltage hair dryers. Just go with #3 and buy one in the UK. I did that back when I had longer hair and used a flat iron; got an inexpensive one at a Superdrug store and it worked just fine.

FWIW, on my first trip in December I used an adaptor that looked like the kind Rick sells, and my USB charger started sparking. Continued sparking when I got home, so I had to replace it. On my second trip, in March, I bought a fused, sheathed adaptor for a few pounds from a random convenience store in the City (looks like the one Marco linked to), and I had no problems whatsoever. I'll be using that kind from now on.

All newer electronics come with 100-240v chargers.

Except some sonic toothbrushes, like the Sonicare Essence or E-series that use these brushes.

Yep. Check the toothbrush charger. I've found no rhyme nor reason nor consistency as to which models come with multi-voltage chargers and which don't.

My old Oral-B superduper electric toothbrush had a multi-voltage charger, and happily traveled the world with me. When it died a couple of years ago, I discovered that the new Oral-B electric toothbrushes on the market at that time, all had only 110v chargers. Meh. Mostly for that reason, I bought a Sonicare with a small multi-voltage charger. It's this one, although I'm sure there are newer models by now: http://amzn.to/2qZIdPo

I purchased two international adapters for our trip last year. They are a little more expensive but we keep them in our suitcases and can take them wherever we go. They give you additional USB ports too so you can use it in the states to charge more devices on one plug. https://www.amazon.com/Ceptics-International-Travel-Adapter-UP-9KU/dp/B007SAOI9E/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1495207721&sr=8-5&keywords=international+plug+adapter

Most newer electronic devices are safe to use with them.

I was a little confused at first though. The side you plug your device into has three holes that don't look like a US receptacle. Still, just go ahead and plug your device into it. It'll work.

That adaptor also seems not to meet British Standard - it seems to allow fused plugs to be inserted, but the earth/ground pin appears to be made of black plastic. This might be an artefact of the lighting, but the input side also doesn't appear to be shuttered, and there is no mention of a fuse.

Incidentally most electric toothbrushes sold in the UK are 230V recharge only. Shavers and toothbrushes are the only common consumer product sold in the UK with a two pin plug (which can be BS or Europlug). So they need an adapter.

Help. We leave for London in 10 days and I'm know totally confused as to whether my adaptors are legal or not. I have used them successfully on previous trips to the UK but don't know if that was just lucky. I'm not technically inclined so can someone tell me what I should be looking for on my adaptors. I've looked at the sites mentioned in all of the replies but I'm still not sure what you mean by shuttered and fused. If fused means it must have an electrical fuse in it then I know mine are not fused or at least there is no where to remove and replace the fuse. Is this a new law or regulation? Thanks for any help you can give me. I still have time to buy a new adaptor if I can get it in the US but want to be sure to get the right one.

The red cover in this photo is where the fuse is housed:
http://shanitech.com/ekmps/shops/0e5aad/images/shanitech-travel-adaptor-plug-uk-visitor-from-usa-australia-eu-china-to-uk-adapter-%5B3%5D-24-p.jpg

This photo shows the shutters over live and neutral.
http://shanitech.com/ekmps/shops/0e5aad/images/shanitech-travel-adaptor-plug-uk-visitor-from-usa-australia-eu-china-to-uk-adapter-[2]-24-p.jpg

You can get this one when you're here:
http://www.argos.co.uk/product/9827590

The requirements for a fused plug goes back to the original 1947 British Standard, the cover of which is here. The current standard has a separate section for adaptors (Part 3). Compliant adaptors will therefore be market BS1363/3.

Thanks, Marco and Harleydonski, for the information. I found what should be a good adaptor for the UK on Amazon. I'm sorry to have piggybacked onto your post CM but maybe the further information helped you also.

I bought my UK plug adaptor at Wal-Mart here in the states and it was only a couple bucks. It has worked just fine for my hairdryer, charging phone and kindle etc.
(I even plugged in a small US power strip (3 plugs) for extra connections)
Remember if you forget your adaptor - most hotels have a "loaner" at the front desk.

There is a difference between something working and something working safely.

There has been at least one report on here that I recall of someone tripping off the electricity in a hotel by using a non compliant adaptor.

There may be relatively low risk with low power items such as recharging phones etc, but some non compliant or counterfeit adaptors are badly made in general causing shorts etc.

Remember the fuse is there to protect the cable.

harley,

I wouldn't trust the information posted on that "roaming boomers" website as they don't seem to know the technical material too well.

At the beginning where they describe the two types of electrical systems, they state that the frequency of the power is 50/60 Megahertz.. That's obviously WRONG!

Perhaps they need to go back to school.

Regarding UK Piug Adaptors, I agree that it's best to use an approved model with sleeved pins and a fuse, rather than a $1 cheapo model.

Thanks Tom_MN. Never thought of electronic toothbrushes. I always pack a converter/transformer to be on the safe side.

The charger for my newer Sonicare is designed for multi-voltage operation, so it works well in Europe with only a Plug Adaptor. I can't remember which model it is, but is has different brushes than the one Tom mentioned.