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Universal Plugs

Need help, what to bring to Italy. I know Italy's voltage is 220 and I used a plug last time andI still blew out my hair dryer. What is the best to plug to use and brand? What do you need plug phone chargers into.

Posted by
927 posts

This is all you need for Italy.

https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/european-power-adapter

The biggest issue though is that not all electrical appliances will work on 220 volt system. You need to look at the tag on the appliance and make sure it says it will work with 220 volts. Many, but not all, computer/phone chargers will show an operating voltage range of 100-240 volts. Most hair dryers, flat irons, etc. will not work on 220 volts and will pretty much blow up. Check with your hotel and see if they have a hair dryer. If not, just buy a cheap one in Italy.

Posted by
337 posts

Or it could be that your blow dryer had a little switch that needed to be turned to 220. I had that happen to me once.

Posted by
16848 posts

Sue, an adaptor plug isn't enough if your appliance can't handle 100-240; you'd need a converter as well and those really aren't recommended. As suggested, buy a dryer that's built for 100-240 or check with your hotel to see if they provide them; many do.

Your phone and camera chargers should be fine with the adaptor Stephen linked but check the labels.

Posted by
23702 posts

But check the input labels to be absolutely certain.

Posted by
4183 posts

There have been hair dryers in all the places I've stayed in all the counties I've visited since I started going to Europe in 2009. Like traveler's checks, I can't imagine taking one.

Posted by
16848 posts

Nope, I never take a dryer abroad. I think I did on a trip back in 2002 and it never made it out of the suitcase.

You may be able to check for them without contacting the hotel; just scan the list of amenities for your accommodations. Not all may not be listed on the hotel's own sites but will be on 3-party booking websites. For instance, I see you're staying at Agora Apartments in Sorrento? Hairdryers are noted as an amenity on the hotels.com website:

https://www.hotels.com/ho457044/agora-apartments-sorrento-italy/

Posted by
1207 posts

Even all the VRBOs and B&Bs we've stayed in for 20 years have had hairdryers. I haven't traveled with one for at least that long.

Posted by
5800 posts

I know Italy's voltage is 220 and I used a plug last time andI still
blew out my hair dryer. What is the best to plug to use and brand?
What do you need plug phone chargers into.

As the others have stated, the problem wasn't with the plug, which simply adapts the 2prongs on the power cord of your aplliance to the 2 pins needed to fit the European electrical outlet. The adaptor does NOTHING to convert the voltage. It was the voltage that fried your hair dryer. If you are very particular about drying your hair, get a travel dryer that has dual voltage. Mine has a handle that folds for packing, and has a switch to change it from 110 to 220 volts. Other dryers may automatically accept the voltage change ( look on the packaging to find out).

Your electronics (phone, tablet, laptop, camera), in all likelihood, are dual voltage. Check the labels to be sure. If they aren't, then DONT bring them with you. You would need to bring a converter, in addition to the plug adapter, which often is just not practical.

Posted by
32411 posts

Sue,

As others have mentioned, the first thing you'll need to do is check the nameplate label on each device you want to bring with you, looking for the words Input Voltage. If this states, "Input 100-240 VAC, 50~60 Hz." then all you'll need is inexpensive Plug Adaptors. This will likely be the case with phone chargers and more recent electronic products. If your appliances have a two-pin Plug, use a two-pin Plug Adaptor (two round pins). If the appliances have a three-pin plug (grounded models), then use a three-pin Plug Adaptor. The grounded Adaptor for Italy is unique and can't be used in other countries.

Here's an example of the two-pin plug adaptor - https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-US-Euro-Plug-Adapter/dp/B004SRU37G
Here's an example of the three-pin plug adaptor - https://www.amazon.com/Ceptics-Italy-Travel-Plug-Adapter/dp/B007YL6HY6

It's a good idea to pack several Plug Adaptors, as they're small and easy to forget in rooms. Again as others have said, there's no need to pack a Hair Dryer as those are usually supplied these days.

Posted by
55 posts

Thank you so much for your information. I am leaving the dryer home and am taking the cannoli, lol.
And a two prong plug. Ciao!

Posted by
105 posts

Hi Sue! I'm a little late, but here are the exact products I used in Italy just last month when I went there:

Travel-sized dual-voltage straight iron: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002N0U37A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
These exact adapters: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B007YL6HY6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The hair dryer in the hotel room.

These adapters worked with my iron as well as our iPhone chargers (which are dual voltage anyway) and my Canon battery charger!

Posted by
3177 posts

Ken, thank you for your thoughtful, thorough explanation.

Perhaps the webmaster should add it to the technology travel tips info.

Kathy

Posted by
32411 posts

Edgar,

The RS website link that you posted is somewhat general in nature, and doesn't address all circumstances. For that reason it's often necessary to provide more detailed information, specifically for each situation. The first sentence of that website link ("the voltage of the current") drives me nuts! In 42+ years working with electricity and electronics (including electrical trades qualifications), I have never heard that term and it doesn't sound correct.

Posted by
5837 posts

Ken,

Yes, the "voltage of the current" is not a technically coherent phrase. The RS writer must have been a liberal arts kind of person.

My point is that the the RS general advice cited is pretty much all what the North American tourist needs to know. Read the name plate of your device(s). From the RS tip (the portion that makes sense):

If you see a range of voltages printed on the item or its plug (such
as "110–220"), you're OK in Europe. Some older appliances have a
voltage switch marked 110 (US) and 220 (Europe) — switch it to 220 as
you pack.

What you do have to pay attention to is the plug. A small adapter
allows American-style plugs (two flat prongs) to fit into British or
Irish outlets (which take three rectangular prongs) or continental
European outlets (which take two round prongs).

Many sockets in Europe are recessed into the wall; your adapter should
be small enough so that the prongs seat properly in the socket.
Although you can get universal adapters that work Europe-wide (or even
worldwide), these tend to be large and more expensive.