My wife and I are traveling through a number of countries in Central Europe this spring. Most of the electrical equipment we will be bringing (Camera batteries, computer, cell phones etc.) have build in converters for European electricity. Can we use an adapter that is plugged into an American extension cord to power more than one item at a time or must we have a converter between the socket and the extension cord?
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32221 posts
Galen, If ALL of the devices you'll be travelling with are designed for "world operation" from 100-240 VAC, you will only require inexpensive Plug Adapters to use these in Europe. You didn't specify which countries in "Central Europe" you'd be visiting, but it's likely that you'll be using the Euro Adapters with two round pins. If any of the devices require a grounded connection, you'll have to buy the appropriate Plug Adapters. You can see photos of the various Plug Adapters on This Website. If all of your travel devices are designed for use on European electrical systems, I'm not sure why you'd need a "converter between the socket and the extension cord"??? I assume you're referring to a Voltage Converter? Happy travels!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23341 posts
I guessing that he is asking about an extension cord after the adapter. And I think the answer is no. Need to have an extension cord rated for 220V.
Posted by
Arvada, Colorado
75 posts
Galen, You will be fine with a 110V extension cord on a 220V Euro outlet - as long as you don't exceed it's rated amperage maximum. If you look at your 100-240V devices, you'll see that the amp draw at 240V is one-half the draw at 100V. So the higher voltage coincides with lower amp draw. Here's a pretty good reference for estimating the number of devices - based on their amperage - that can be plugged in to a single extension cord: http://www.gaugewire.com/ Most light-duty 110V extension cords will be 18-gauge, or maybe 16-gauge. Check yours, or buy one that indicates the wire gauge so you can use the data linked above.
Posted by
Wilderness
38 posts
Galen, A 110V power strip with any kind of voltage surge protection will fail as soon as you plug it in (an audible failure at that!). Power strips will have information somewhere on them indicating the input voltage and frequency that they can handle. You do not want to test these limits in a vacation setting.
We have never found that things all end up discharged at the same time - so one adapter per person has been more than enough.
Posted by
Arvada, Colorado
75 posts
Yes, so don't use a power strip, use a simple multi-outlet adapter, something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Leviton-697-I-Triple-Outlet-Adapter/dp/B00002N7I2/ref=pd_cp_hi_3
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19115 posts
The triple outlet adapter will work, but I prefer something like this. It's a little smaller to carry. But, whatever you use, be sure to tape the Europlug adapter to the 3-way. The receptacle grips the pins of the adapter pretty tightly. If you aren't careful, you can pull the 3-way out of the Europlug and leave the Europlug behind. The 115V rating on the extension cord is based on what voltage difference the insulation can withstand (either line to line or line to ground). I'm sure it is designed for and tested by UL for far more than 115V (500 or 1000). As long as it's not worn or cracked, you should be OK. And as far as the amperage, that's what causes heat, and at twice the voltage, there should be ¼ the heat produced (V²/R), so there should be no problem with overheating the extension cord at 230V.