Travel adapters explained
The words "adapter" and "converter" are often used as if they mean the same thing. They do not, and mixing them up is how hair dryers get destroyed on holiday. Here is what each one does and which you need.
Adapter or converter?
- A plug adapter only changes the shape of the plug so it fits the wall socket. It does nothing to the electricity.
- A voltage converter (or transformer) changes the voltage, for example from 230 V down to 120 V.
Most of the world supplies 220 to 240 V. North America, parts of Central and South America, Japan and Taiwan use 100 to 127 V.
Check the label first
Look at the small print on your charger or power brick. If it says INPUT: 100-240V ~ 50/60Hz, the device works anywhere in the world and needs only a plug adapter. That covers almost every phone charger, laptop charger, camera charger and electric toothbrush charger made in the last fifteen years.
Devices that heat things are different. Hair dryers, straighteners, kettles and travel irons are often made for one voltage only. Plugging a 120 V-only hair dryer into a 230 V socket with just an adapter can burn it out within seconds. For those, buy a dual-voltage model, use a heavy-duty converter rated for the full wattage, or use the one provided by the hotel.
The main plug types
| Type | Shape | Used in (examples) |
|---|---|---|
| A / B | Two flat pins (B adds a round earth pin) | United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan |
| C | Two round pins, no earth | Most of continental Europe, much of Asia and South America |
| E / F | Two round pins with earth (clip or pin) | France, Belgium (E); Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Nordic countries (F) |
| G | Three rectangular pins | United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia |
| I | Two flat pins in a V, often with earth | Australia, New Zealand, China (alongside other types), Argentina |
| J / N | Round pins in Swiss or Brazilian layouts | Switzerland (J), Brazil (N) |
A slim type C plug fits most European, E and F sockets, which is why it is called the "Europlug". It does not fit recessed Swiss or Italian sockets reliably, and it never fits a UK socket.
Choosing an adapter
- Single-country adapters are small, cheap and the most secure fit. Good if you visit one country often.
- Universal adapters slide out different pin sets and usually add USB ports. Handy for multi-country trips, but bulkier, and the fit in some sockets can be loose. Check the maximum current (often 6 to 10 A) before plugging in anything powerful.
- Adapters with USB-C ports can replace a phone charger. For a laptop, check that the USB-C port supplies enough watts; many give only 20 to 30 W.
Safety tips
- Do not daisy-chain adapters or plug a multi-socket strip into a universal adapter and load it up.
- Unearthed adapters remove the earth connection from earthed plugs. That is fine for double-insulated chargers (marked with a square inside a square) but not ideal for metal-cased appliances.
- If an adapter gets hot, smells or crackles, unplug it.
Frequency is rarely a problem
Countries use 50 or 60 Hz. Chargers do not care. Some clocks and motor-driven appliances designed for one frequency can run fast, slow or warm on the other, which is another reason to leave non-essential appliances at home.
For a full packing list, see the one-bag tech kit.