What is the difference between the power and the plug adapters for Switzerland? I need to charge my iphone, kindle, and curling iron.
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
2607 posts
I just returned from Switzerland, staying in a number of hotels, and I used the same adapters I have used in other countries in Europe.
As long as the adapter base has pointy ends like this, it will be fine.
https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/european-power-adapter
(the older RS version had rounded ends which will not fit in some newer outlets)
Posted by
NorthCarolina
1027 posts
If you don't have a DUAL VOLTAGE curling iron, it won't work in Europe or Switzerland at all. You need to be sure your curing iron is DUAL VOLTAGE and be sure to change it from USA to Swiss Voltage.
We went to Switzerland in April. We did take separate Switzerland adaptors and we are glad we did. Some of our standard EU adaptors worked in the Swiss outlets, at other hotels - they didn't fit and we did need specifics Swiss adaptors. It really depends on the actual outlet - the are cheap - I'd not risk it and buy actual Swiss Adaptors. The sell them here on this site and on Amazon. They also sell Dual Voltage Curing irons on Amazon.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32303 posts
A few thoughts on your questions.....
A power adapter (also known as a "voltage converter") is a device which reduces the European 230 volts to the North American 115 volts. You likely won't need one as your iPhone and Kindle chargers are almost certainly rated for operation from 100-240 VAC. You didn't provide any details on the curling iron so I'm not sure about that? Does the curling iron have three pins on the plug (ie: grounded) or just two?
Plug Adapters are small devices which adapt the North American style plugs to the European outlets. These can vary to some extent, depending on which country you're visiting. For example a Swiss Plug Adapter won't work with plugs in the U.K., and a Swiss three pin (grounding) adapter won't work with outlets in Italy. This is one example of a grounding plug adapter for Switzerland - https://www.signalandpower.com/products/usa-nema-5-15r-to-swiss-sev-1011?currency=USD .
Two pin Swiss Adapters such as the one shown in an earlier reply will work fine for your iPhone and Kindle chargers. Not sure about the curling iron?
Posted by
99 posts
I've been wondering the same thing, as we are going to Switzerland next month.
I think I will email our hotels and ask if they will accept the adapters we have before purchasing another.
Good question, though!