Italian electrical outlets

Tom, The Italian sockets are different from the German ones. We have two different sets of adaptors, one for Italy, one for the rest of Europe...and even one more for England!! Cheers!

Tom, The standard German Schuko plugs should work in Italy. However, I've found a variety of "vintages" of outlets in various parts of Italy so there could be a problem with older types if they won't accept the 4.8 mm pins. I've never had any problems using the Plug Adapters that I travel with. Will you be using two-pin Plugs, or three-pin grounded models? As you may know, Italian grounded outlets have three in-line pins, with the centre being ground. These are usually flush-mount, rather than recessed. You'd need an Adapter to use with Schuko plugs having the two grounding "ears" (provided you wanted to maintain the ground connection). This Website might answer some of your questions, or perhaps may confuse the issue further. Good luck!

Thanks, all. I was pretty sure Ken would provide a comprehensive answer...

Not so sure it will fit ... I think you will need an adaptor. My Braun hairdryer (bought in Sweden which I think also uses Schuko) plug doesn't fit in Italian sockets. It works fine in German sockets. I have two different European adaptors. On the "southern" adaptor the pins are spaced the same but are slightly smaller in diameter than the nothern European adaptor.

One point to add to my previous reply.... The Charger for my DSLR (which was purchased in Greece) seems to work fine with outlets in all countries and regions. I've used in in France, Italy, various parts of Germany, and the Czech Republic with no problems. I don't know what size the pins are, but suspect they're the smaller size. I travel with a good collection of Plug Adapters, so I can usually connect to just about any type of outlet, whether grounded or ungrounded. They're not heavy and don't take up a lot of room so I don't find it a problem to pack them along. Cheers!

To add to Ken's reply, we travel with two good European, Italy, and UK adaptors, and then two sets of TRIPLE splitters, that we bought at the dollar store for, well, a dollar. That way we have had 6 outlets everywhere we go. Putting the triple splitter in has really helped make sure we don't leave the adaptors behind too, as those adaptors are nearly always either white or black, so they just blend in. Put a triple splitter on them and the stand out way more!! Cheers!