power converters and extenders

OK - we need to get the nomenclature correct here...otherwise, we'll all be talking about the same things, but using different words... IF you have dual-voltage electronics, you'll only need an ADAPTER. This just changes the shape of your USA prongs into the shape of wherever you're going. No electrical conversion is happening with these. For most of Europe, you'll need the kind like you'll find in RS' Travel Store - to see them, click on "Travel Store" at the top of this page, then click on "Accessories", then on "Handy Extras". Buy a few extras of these; you can string 2 of these together for those extra-recessed outlets...Be careful that you get yours out of the outlet; many get left behind...:-( Check the electronics you're planning on taking; do they say 120/240 on them? (Some electronics have a switch or a 'dial' that needs to be turned or flipped; you may need to use a flat-head screw driver or a coin to do this). If so, you don't need anything but the cheap ADAPTERS. Read the directions for your electronics; for instance, many dual-voltage hair dryers need to be turned on to the "LOW" setting, but you'll get nearly "HIGH" output. If you don't have the manuals anymore, you can often Google them (ex: Conair model 224-HK instructions). What exactly are you planning to take? That will help with answering your question. You 'can' bring regular USA extension cords to Europe for extra length and/or extra outlets; again, this depends on what you're planning on bringing. If you're planning on hair dryers, flat irons, etc., the requirements may be different... Personally, I haven't needed extra outlets; better positioned ones, yes LOL! We don't charge everything every night, and I only use a hair dryer in the morning (if I bring one).

Joanne, Eileen covered most of the points that I was going to mention. As she said, it's important to use the correct terminology. It's important to differentiate whether you're referring to a Plug Adapter or a Voltage Converter. Which countries are you going to be travelling in? Note that the Plug Adapter for mainland Europe is different than for the U.K. I'd suggest packing along at least two of whichever Plug Adapters you'll require. It's always a good idea to have a "spare" and this also helps with recessed outlets. It's VERY important to check ALL of the appliances you'll be traveling with, to ensure they're designed for "world operation". Regarding connection of several devices to one outlet, you might have a look at This Product (also available from Amazon). Happy travels!

Thanks for the information so far. To clarify my question....I am going to Spain, Italy. I have purchased a variety pack of adaptors with different configs so will take them. I need power for charging the camera battery (most important), hair dryer, maybe cell phone charger (if I decide to take it).
So I'm not sure if I need a voltage adjuster type device for those...esp my camera which I don't want to screw up. otherwise the question about recessed recepticles in walls and doubling up makes sense, appreciate that.

Since I couldn't get this to post in my first response (website's acting funny today): Whether or not you need CONVERTERS/TRANSFORMERS remains to be seen...but they aren't needed nearly as often as in years past; most electronics that you'll be taking will 'probably' be 120/240v. You'll have to check the electronics yourself; they'll either say 120/240v, or just 120v on them. There's no way for us to know... Some people charge their cameras every night; since I charge mine every so many months (!) I just take a regular extension cord for the rare times we need it, but lots of people like to take the dedicated ones like Ken mentioned. They're nice to have - some people are charging 3 iPods, 2 cameras, and a computer, all at the same time. But, if you only anticipate needing to charge one thing at a time, save the extra weight and leave it at home. For Spain and and Italy, you should only need the ADAPTER in your set with the round pins (if it comes with two that are very similar in size, bring both of them; sometimes an ADAPTER will be 'floppy'/loose in the outlet and fall out, esp. if you move the cord around a lot)...Be sure you try it out with your electronics at home - some ADAPTERS won't work with blades of different sizes, meaning most of today's plugs - how one blade is wider than the other and you can only make it fit the outlet in one direction? That's what I'm referring to - some ADAPTERS don't have that wider slot for your prong. Europe would be a sad place to discover that!

Joanne, Thanks for the additional information. As you'll be travelling in Spain and Italy, the two-pin Euro Plug Adapters should work fine. Here are some suggestions for the other devices: (1.) You need to check EACH DEVICE that you'll be travelling with to determine whether it's designed for "world operation". Look for the words "Input Voltage" on the chargers. If this states 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, the device will work in Europe without voltage conversion. (2.) What type of Camera are you using? Most these days are provided with "world" Chargers. This has been the case with all of the Chargers for the Canon gear I've bought over the last few years. (3.) Is your Hair Dryer a dual-voltage model? If the Input Voltage on that states "115 VAC", you DON'T want to use it in Europe as it will self destruct immediately, probably in spectacular fashion with a display of sparks and smoke! I observed just this situation during a visit to Stresa, when a traveller from the U.S. connected their Hair Dryer, and promptly knocked out power to a portion of the Hotel. The Hotel owner was NOT impressed! I tried to "have a word" with her at breakfast, but she didn't seem receptive to suggestions so I gave up. (4.) Before deciding on whether or not to take the Cell phone, you'll first have to determine whether it will even work in Europe? Which network are you with? If you're using AT&T or T-Mobile, do you have a quad-band handset? Finally, are you using a Smartphone such as an iPhone or Blackberry, or just a basic phone? Cheers!

Ken's got some good questions/info for you...that hair dryer could become a melty blob of plastic if it's not capable of 240v. Worst of all, your hair's still wet... I don't mean to toot their horns, but I can recommend the ADAPTERS sold on this website; I've used them all over Europe and they've worked very well. The price is CHEAP; the S&H not so cheap, but considering I don't usually see these priced under $2.95...it's a wash. I think Ken also suggested taking extra ones; it's easier than you might think to leave one in the wall outlet, and sometimes they do fall behind a piece of furniture (lost forever), but mainly because some European outlets are recessed deeply in the wall, if you're using large plug like you might have on a hair dryer it won't fit in that narrow recess; you can then plug 2 ADAPTERS together and reach the deep outlet. That'll make more sense once you see them...

Julie, Thanks for the post. That's exactly the scenario I was trying to convey! Electrical appliances designed for 115 VAC don't have any tolerance for operation at twice their rated voltage! It's IMPORTANT to check the "Input Voltage" ratings on EACH appliance that one will be travelling with!!! Cheers!

This is all VERY valuable information... I took an ADAPTOR to Italy, and fried my blowdryer and camera battery charger all in the first day! And yes, there were fireworks.

OK, a question... The hairdryer has two problems, right? It is heavy and bulky to carry around... and may well go POP! (OK I lied, 3 probems) Solution - most hotels and many B&Bs in Europe provide dryers, usually in a drawer - check them all - or upon request from the desk. Why not us theirs and leave your nearly one kilo of dryer (more if you want a converter) at home?

Thanks again to all who posted! I took my IPOD charger and camera battery charger to the Rick Steves travel store and they verified it only needs an adaptor NOT a voltage converter because both are rated for 110-240.
so I bought 3 adaptors for $1.00ea. gonna leave the Blackberry at home, and use the hotel blow dryer so it sounds like my electrical needs are covered. but I did see blow dryers, hair straighteners, curlers etc in other travel stores with proper voltages and they are just not worth the money. learned a lot.... On to the next item on the list to post....vatican tours.