Hi Everyone!
My husband & I are traveling from New York to London at the end of May/start of June and I am wondering if I need to purchase adaptors or converters for our iPhones, iPad & digital camera charger. I was just about to purchase at Amazon, but thought I would check here first.
Many thanks! Can't wait!
iPhones and iPad only need a simple plug adaptor, since they are already designed to work with a range of electric current from 110-240. Most newer camera charges work that way, too, but look for fine print on the device to confirm. Then you won't need a power convertor, which is larger and heavier.
Hi m:
The electronic devices that you name in general can operate on both 110 volt @ 60 cycle and 220 volt @ 50 cycle which is the standard in Europe. You should read the fine print on the devices to see if this is true. If this is the case all you need to purchase is a plug adapter that lets you use the cord that came with the device in the British outlet. I get these from Rick Steve's store for about $1 apiece when on sale (still available at this price); otherwise they might run $3 - $4 at a travel store. Also what I found useful is a power strip that is rated for 220 volts. The one which I purchased from Amazon has multi-format sockets which will allow use of almost every format of plug (eg, north america, france, uk). YOu will need just one plug adapter when using this.
It's possible that you won't even need a plug adaptor - some hotels are starting to provide USB charging ports, where you can use the same USB cables you use at home. It might be worth asking about this at your hotel before you order an adaptor.
My first trip abroad was to London and I arrived with my adapter and was delighted to discover that my room not only had a USB port for charging phone and camera but a plug wired for American appliances, perfect for my curling brush.
I tried to find USB chargers with two pin, Europlugs, but they cost more online than the ones with US plugs and I already have many adapters.
The power in Europe used to be 240V 50 Hz in the UK and 220V 50 Hz on the continent, but the new EU standard is 230V. They made the initial tolerance big enough to cover both 220 and 240 volts, but they are supposed to converge on 230V eventually.
Thank you all very much! I'm going to call the hotel and see if they have adapters in room or for loan. Otherwise, I saw a "powerstrip" type on Amazon which I can get in a couple of days. Cheers!
Don't forget that adaptors for the UK need to be fused, the socket shuttered and the live and neutral pins sleeved to comply with UK safety regulations, amongst other things. Many adaptors outside of the UK do not comply with this - Amazon is no guarantee that they do.
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/phones-tech/electric-adapters-converters
Items noted are low power (amperage) and and are not grounded. The power blocks typically stepdown line power to about 5 vdc. Be careful of power strips that have surge protectors that are only rated fore 110-120 v..
As said the adapter needs to be fused and the live a neutral pins sleeved:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/CANADA-3-Pin-Visitor-Adaptor-Converter/dp/B000NPACOG/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1463126636&sr=8-6&keywords=visitor+plug+adapter
I'm not sure about the camera charger, since you don't say whether it charges via USB, but a USB hub charger like this one (http://smile.amazon.com/Anker-Charger-Adapter-Technology-Motorola/dp/B00EI8SS4U/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1463186709&sr=8-16&keywords=anker+usb+charger) with a plug adaptor should do the trick for the iPad and iPhones. I travel with one and it makes it really easy to charge multiple USB gadgets on one outlet and I haven't had any issues using it with various adaptors.
m.s,
As the others have mentioned, the chargers for your iPhone and iPad will be designed for multi-voltage operation, so all you'll need is a simple U.K. Plug Adapter to connect those to the outlet. I'd suggest packing at least one (or two) along on the trip, as not all hotels may be able to provide them. They're cheap and light, so not a problem to pack them along. On a trip costing $5K or more, $10 for a couple of Plug Adapters is not going to break the bank. The model shown in the link from harley would be a good choice.
The digital camera charger is probably also designed for multi-voltage operation, but it would be a good idea to verify that by having a look at the Input Voltage specifications on the charger. Some older cameras were designed only for operation on 115 VAC.
If you're only travelling in England, you'll only need one type of Plug Adapter. However, if you'll also be travelling on the continent another type will be needed.
Note that several Apple tablets will not charge from a plain vanilla USB outlet. They require more current than USB is defined to permit. That's why you can't even use an aftermarket USB wall wart unless it was designed and marked for high current. This could, theoretically, damage a non-tablet that wasn't conservatively designed. i.e. a cheap knock-off device.
The other poster was warning you that there have been cases of online retailers selling devices that don't have the overseas equivalent of the US "UL Laboratories" approval. It's an issue of safety testing and reliable manufacturing. (Think of melamine in powdered milk powder ... .... )
