Hello! Getting ready for my trip to Paris, London, and Amsterdam! I need to know what i need to plug in stuff like my phone which it says its " 3.7v".. my itouch, my straightener, and things of that nature... I looked at the rick steves' store.. and it said i need a voltage converter on top of a universal european adapter?? or am I all set with just the adapter? Recommended brands and items would be awesome! and just some advice on it would be great too! Thank you!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23550 posts
Need the input voltage on all of your "stuff." If it reads 120-240V INPUT then you are OK with just a plug adapter - one for England and one for the rest of Europe. If input is 120V only then you will need a voltage converter in addition to the plug converter. This gets more tricky. The voltage converter MUST match the wattage requirement of the item. If your hair straightener requires 1800 watts then the voltage converter needs to be rated at 1800 or more. So read you input labels and tell us what it says for each item.
Posted by
OP
Keene
25 posts
The straightener is 120V and my itouch says "rated 5V" :) so will that mean i dont need a voltage converter? ... and could i buy this http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=126&id=24 and be all set?
or will this be better?.... http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=126&id=24 ??
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32324 posts
Heather, The two internet links you provided are the same. They show Plug Adapters which you'll certainly need to allow North American plugs to connect to European power points. I'd suggest packing two of each type, as it's always a good idea to have at least one "spare" of each type. As your Straightener indicates an input voltage of 120V., DO NOT use that in Europe as it will self destruct in a spectacular fashion, perhaps with sparks and smoke! My suggestion would be to buy a dual-voltage straightener for the trip. For examples of suitable products, have a look at This Website. You may also be able to find dual-voltage hair appliances in local luggage or travel shops, or even Target or other large chains. IMO, this might be a better method than using a Voltage Converter with your existing Straightener. Some newer appliances have electronic controls, and these may not react well to the high wattage solid-state Voltage Converters (which is what you'll have to use for a Straightener). Without seeing a schematic of your Straightener, it's impossible to provide a definite answer though. Regarding your iPod Touch, you've provided the output voltage of the Charger rather than the Input Voltage. Devices of that type usually use USB voltage levels for charging, which is a nominal 5 VDC (it can range up or down slightly from that). Could you provide the Input Voltage listed on the Charger? What other "things of that nature" are you going to be travelling with? You need to check the Input Voltage for ALL devices that you'll be using in Europe!!! Cheers!
Posted by
St. Louis, MO USA
1976 posts
You will need 2 different adapters, one for the UK and one for continental Europe (Paris and Amsterdam). These aren't voltage converters but they enable your American devices to plug into European outlets.