We are traveling to both France & Ireland. We do not need to bring a hair dryer but wish to bring a flat iron (and a camera). They both have dual voltage. We have two adaptors, but do we stiill need a converter? They both say "110-240V, 50/60 HZ."
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9102 posts
No converter needed, the adapters are all you need.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
France and Ireland require different adapters (wasn't clear from your post if you knew this). Ireland has a large, three prong plug, and France uses the "Euro" style (2 round pins) plug. It's wise to take more than one of each style because they are easy to forget/lose.
Posted by
OP
Boise, Idaho, USA
38 posts
I wasn't aware that France & Ireland were different. We have one "universal" adapter that can be configured different ways. We ordered another one that hasn't arrived yet, so we'll see!
Thanks for the help!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32220 posts
Patricia, As the others mentioned, France and Ireland do use different styles of Plugs. Ireland uses the same type as the U.K. with three large rectangular pins. In the non-grounded models, the third pin is made of plastic. France uses the standard Euro style, with two round pins. The ungrounded two-pin models can be used in most places in western Europe, however the grounded models are somewhat specific to the country. It's likely that both your Camera Charger and Flat Iron will work fine with your Universal Plug Adapter. Happy travels!
Posted by
OP
Boise, Idaho, USA
38 posts
Ken,
Thanks for your info. Yes, the universal adapter we have has this one big plastic pin that my husband wondered about because it's not grounded. Now we know that will work!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19113 posts
If your flat iron has a "polarized" plug (one blade wider than the other), then some sort of protection is provided by the polarization. However, continental European receptacles are not polarized (not sure about UK), so you don't get that protection. And neither the UK adapter with a plastic ground pin or the two round pin Euro plug adapter have grounds, so if your flat iron has a grounded plug, that protection is nullified. Your best option is to get a device that is double insulated (that's how protection is provided in Europe). Some American devices are double insulated; you can identify them by the square in a square symbol.
Posted by
OP
Boise, Idaho, USA
38 posts
Lee, On my flat iron, both blades are the same size, but the label DOES have the square within a square symbol. So, does this mean it is double insulated and CAN be used on my trip to Paris & Ireland?
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19113 posts
You could use it (ie, it would work) regardless of whether it was double insulated or polarized. However, without double insulation it wouldn't give you the protection it's supposed to have when plugged into a European receptacle. However, if it has the double insulated symbol, it is protected as well as anything without a ground that you could buy in Europe.
Posted by
OP
Boise, Idaho, USA
38 posts
Lee,
Well, I will give it a try. If it breaks or blows up, then I'll know next time! I just don't want to start a fire or get an electrical shock!!