Power Conversion from American electronic devices to European

Except for traveler's with very specialized equipment almost no one needs a converter anymore. What you probably need are just the plug adapters. Look on the back of your devices. If it says 110-240 AC 50-60 HZ you're good to go. Even my original Kindle was fine (Love Love Love the Paperwhite version - easy on the eyes even when my spousal unit is sleeping next to me lol). I secure my adapter plug and my device plug together with a rubber band. No more leaving the adapter plug in the wall as we go on our merry way:) Oh, and I take two adapters in case the outlet is deeply recessed (this seems to be more of a problem in the UK). Also helpful if my rubber band technique fails because I'm in temporary idiot mode.

an2m, do you have a name? I can't keep replying to a number.

In the mean time, can you provide a bit more information please? Can you check each piece of equipment that you intend to take, and check the input label. Either on the product itself or on its charger will be numbers indicating the permitted input voltage and frequency.

Do they all say 100-250 vac 50/60Hz? Do any say 115 vac 60 Hz? Sometimes you won't see white writing, you may need a magnifying glass.

None, as far as I know, of the sockets in the UK are recessed. All are surface mount. Perhaps Marie meant a different country.

an2m,

welcome.

if you look at your toys carefully it should say if its dual voltage. something like 110/220 VAC. if it is than all you will need is an ADAPTER. if you look at your laptop power supply it should have info on its power usage.

if it doesnt have the dual voltage then you will need an CONVERTER.

by the way (btw), some more newer hotels will have 110, but ive never read it on any web site, so its something you will have to ask/email. i just carry an adapter so that i dont have to ask.

happy trails.

I've use this adapter from Amazon in Germany and in Prague. It accepts a two-bladed (polarized, non-grounding) or three-pronged (grounding) US plug and fits both the German style Schuko receptacle used in Germany and the French style receptacle used in the Czech Republic. I'm not sure about Italy. It should work, ungrounded, in flush receptacles, but you might need a narrow two pin adapter (the one called "continental" in the Travel Store) for recessed receptacles in Italy.

I have never seen a recessed outlet in the UK. The plugs are so large it would require a sizable hole to make that happen. I did see recessed outlets in Spain, but none deep enough to require two adapters (though there have been reports that two were necessary in some places).

My comments are much the same as what Nigel mentioned. To begin with, the majority here use a name as their profile I.D. rather than an Avatar. It's easier to relate to a name when replying.

The Plug Adaptors shown in Lee's post should work fine in Germany and the Czech Republic for either grounded or non-grounded appliances, but if you want to maintain a grounded connection for your Laptop in Italy, you'll need to use THIS Plug Adaptor in Italy. I'd also suggest packing along at least a couple of the standard non-ground European Plug Adaptor.

Although you're "not as worried about" your other Chargers, it's ESSENTIAL to check the "Input Voltage" specifications on EACH ONE to ensure they're rated for multi-voltage operation. On a related note, if you're planning to travel with a Cell phone (especially a Smart phone), you'll need to be VERY CAREFUL with data roaming as the charges can be HUGE!

Happy travels!