U.S. To Italy... Outlet Converter?

Danielle, check out Rick's article on this subject.

http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/phones-tech/electric-adapters-converters

Danielle,

YES, you will need Plug Adaptors to use your appliances in Europe. You might consider THIS product or THIS product as they seem to cover all the bases. You could also check your local Walmart as they will Plug Adaptors and that would save on the shipping charges. I'd suggest packing along one or two extra of the simple two-pin Euro Adaptors, as they're small and easily misplaced.

More importantly, you'll need to check EACH of your appliances to ensure that they're designed for operation on 220 VAC. The phone and iPad will probably be designed for multi-voltage operation, but the Hair Dryer could be a problem. Have you checked that your phone is compatible with GSM cellular networks? Are you planing to roam with your home provider?

Hi Danielle,

I purchased this set from Amazon and gave each member of my family one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008JCVGT0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s02

They were each responsible for getting it from one place to the next. They worked perfectly for us for charging iPads and cell phones, camera batteries, Nooks. I never take a hair dryer as I find that hotels and apartments always have them, if not in the room then one you can borrow.

Janet

I'm a little confused. I purchased 4 of the Rick Steves 2 prong Adapters. I know any hair appliance needs to be dual voltage and I thought RS adaptor is all I needed.

We are also taking Ipads and our phones. Do I need something else for those (a converter and an adaptor)?

Lulu, It depends on whether the appliances you wish to use are two-pin (without earth connection), or 3-pin (with earth).
If they are 2-pin, then a 2-pin adapter will do. 2-pin plugs are the same throughout most of Europe (not UK and Ireland). They have 2 round pins.
If your appliances are 3-pin, you need a 3-pin adapter which is specific to Italy. It has the 3-pins in a line, like the one linked to by Janet: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81SJksUVFPL._SL1500_.jpg

Do not try to force a Schuko (German etc.) pluig into an Italian socket. First, the pins are bigger and you risk breaking the socket. Second, you will not make an earth connection so it will be unsafe.
And of course your appliance(s) need to be able to use 220V AC 50 Hz.

Lulu, if by "hair appliance" you're asking about a hair dryer, most hotels have those these days so check amenities lists of those you've booked. One less thing to pack! Our ipad, itouch and cameras (we don't travel with phones) have not needed converters but do check your appliances for 220 or 240V AC 50-60 Hz. voltage requirements. The numbers will be indicated on your chargers.

The adapter just adaps our US plug to the Italian socket. The converter is used along with an adapter where the voltages are different like in the US and Italy. We do not use the same volts. If you put an adapter on your US hair dryer and plug it in to a socket in Italy will cause you to fry it. check all the items you want to bring and some where by the cord, plug or sticker will say 120-240v. If it has that like you iphone and ipad it's dual voltage and you can use an adapter. It says only 1 number you will need a converter (like the hair dryer). most family BnB i've stayed in they had a hair dryer if we asked for one to use.

Ken a while back showed me a product like this before one of my trips. I use something similar with my phone in the USB and camera batteries charging on one plug. I just carry around 1 adapter now depending what country i'm visiting for the strip
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F9YN2M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000F9YN2M&linkCode=as2&tag=viefrothewin-20&linkId=DQHGLXD2VG45BKCI

The posters above gave you all the info you need on adapters. They will work fine for your communication devices (phones, tablets, etc.).
I do not recommend you take hair driers or inflating pumps (or anything that uses high wattage) with you. We had "supposedly" dual voltage driers and pumps with even converters that shorted my parents' house, fortunately without serious consequences other than making those appliances unusable.
Most hotels provide hair driers, or you can buy some locally. My wife has a full set of hair appliances purchased in Italy that she uses in Europe. They are inexpensive and easy to find. The Italian word for hair drier is: FON (pronounced like 'phone'), apparently a word derived from a German word indicating a warm wind: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foehn_wind
To avoid purchasing a 'phone' instead of a 'fon', you can also say "ASCIUGACAPELLI" (pronounce: ash-yuga-cap-elly).

I believe that the adapters are different between northern and southern Europe. Be sure you check carefully so you have the correct one for Italy. An adapter should work for your computer and phone, but it won't work on your hair dryer. Buy one there as they are cheap.

Lulu,

As the others have mentioned, a Plug Adaptor simply allows North American plugs to connect to the different outlet configurations in Europe. They do not provide any conversion (reduction) of voltage!

Most modern electronic products such as phones, iPads, cameras, etc. are designed for multi-voltage operation and will work fine with just a Plug Adaptor. Most high wattage appliances sold in this part of the world are designed ONLY for operation on 115 VAC, and connecting them in Europe will cause them to self destruct immediately (sometimes accompanied by a spectacular display of smoke and sparks and a power outage in the hotel which will not impress the staff).

It's prudent to check EACH appliance that you plan on travelling with, looking for the specific words Input Voltage which will listed somewhere on the device or charger.