Hi,
I have a laptop bought in US (3 plug) and a cell phone which is a 2 plug. Both will work in dual voltage (110-220 V).
I am traveling to Germany, Austria and Italy. What is the correct adapter should I buy that I can for these 2 electronics in all these countries ?
How about this product ?
http://www.amazon.com/Kensington-33117-International-Travel-Adapter/dp/B0002H4YUI
No, No, No, No!
If you are only going to Germany, Austria, and Italy, all you need is a simple Euro plug adapter. There are many places to buy one online, but shipping will probably kill you. ACE Hardware sells a simple No. European plug adapter for about $5. The adapter I have is narrow and the grounding pin of an American plug grounded plug fits next to it without interfering. See my web page.
If you did want something to also handle the grounding pin, search for VP-11 at the site below:
http://www.voltage-converter-transformers.com/plugadapters.html
This will definitely work for Germany and Austria. For Italy, I believe most places will have the German "Shucko" plug, but some may have the older 3-pin arrangement (search for VP-107). (Our rental apartment in 2007 had some shucko plugs and some of the 3-pin plugs.) The ungrounded 2-pin adapters are basically the same. (Technically, the German-style prongs are larger, but most adapters will work in both.)
Sunray,
I wouldn't bother with the Plug Adapter shown in your link, as it's cumbersome and expensive.
For the countries you'll be visiting, use the www.magellans.com/store/Adaptor_Plugs___Converters___Plug_AdaptorsEA351D?Args=. The grounding pin of the Laptop Plug should fit along the side of this (of course, it won't provide the grounding function).
If you'd prefer to have a grounding connection for the Laptop, you'll probably have to purchase two different types of European Plug Adapter. The Italian style has three round in-line pins (Style 'I' on the Magellan's website), while the German and Austrian model is different (Style 'D' on the Magellan's website).
You can purchase inexpensive Plug Adaptors at Magellan's, Radio Shack, probably Wal-Mart, travel and luggage shops and REI Dallas (4515 LBJ Fwy, open 10AM-9PM Mon-Sat). REI have the basic two-pin European model for $3.
I'd suggest travelling with at least two Plug Adapters. Note that if you'll be passing through the U.K., a different style Adapter will be required.
Cheers!
The Meritline plug might accept the ground pin of your three prong American plug, but it lacks any connection to the grounding clip of a Schuko receptacle. Further, since it appears to lack the wider slot, it would not accept an American "polarized" two blade plug, which has one blade wider that the other.
Also understand that Italian receptacles have the grounding pin hole in the middle, between the two "hot" Holes, so if you want to truly ground your plug in a receptacle you would need a separate adapter for Italy.
My netbook power supply has a three prong grounded plug also. The two pin Europlug adapter fits over the two blades and has clearance with the grounding pin. I've used it in Germany for my last two trips (four weeks) without a problem.
