U.K. and Ireland - Getting UK>Swiss plug adaptor in UK

Hi all

Am trying to source a UK>Swiss plug adaptor in UK. Have been to a couple of high-street retailers and it seems kind of hard to get one that will work for Swiss sockets (a lot of the 'universal' ones don't seem to have this feature). Need it within 24 hours so online sadly not an option.

Does anyone know where I can get one on the High Street/easily in the UK? Thanks in advance ^

Is Swiss not the same as European?!?

The pins are very slightly further apart on Swiss plugs. Europlugs generally do fit in with a bit of gentle persuasion (assuming we're not talking three-pin plugs, which are totally different).

I'm sure I've seen the Swiss Worldwide adaptor in a lot of physical shops e.g. Dixons. In fact if you stick it into Google Shopping along with your postcode, it should give you a list of nearby stores.

Cotswold Outdoor comes up for me

http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm/product/world-travel-adapter/fuseaction/products.detail/code/A8510004?cm_mmc=Google-_-GoogleBase-_-GoogleBase-_-A85100041010

Have received conflicting advice about this :rolleyes:

See for instance http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=993896&mid=0&nmt=Swiss+plug+socket+help+-+please!

Ah yes, I'd forgotten about recessed sockets. CH has some that are recessed and some flush.

http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/designing-for-export/guides-and-charts/guide-to-worldwide-plugs-and-sockets-patterns-power-mains-single-phase/

A 'normal' Euro power lead

http://www.nbpowercord.com/upload/photo/a646a08ae8edc5cface8a3949023c3e6.jpg

will fit in a recessed socket (with a bit of persuasion), but a bulky adapter won't.

Nope, they use the Type J

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:J_plug.jpg

Actually, scratch that.

When extended, the Worldwide Adapter *will* fit in a recessed socket. Again, it will be with persuasion, as the pins are not far enough apart. And of course the weight of the adapter and what you have plugged into it will tend to make it fall out again...

http://img.diytrade.com/cdimg/682889/21039510/0/1304053517/swiss_world_travel_adapter_1_AMP131-01.jpg

Schuko does not fit in Swiss plugs. Schuko is 4.8mm diameter whereas Swiss is 4.0mm diameter. OTOH, the Europlug fits fine.

Have received conflicting advice about this :rolleyes:

See for instance http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=993896&mid=0&nmt=Swiss+plug+socket+help+-+please!

not sure if you are talking about Switzerland, or Swiss airline, but I've used the standard green translucent multi-adaptor in the Ibis in Zurich in the past 2 years with no problem. I might have had to put a telephone directory under it to counteract the weight, but I don't remember having to do it particularly.

I've always found this link very reliable (past 15 years or so). It used to be excellent for dial-up, when that was an issue too!
http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm ^

I've got one like the one linked to from Cotswold, and it works fine in all types of Swiss socket. Only limitation is that it doesn't have an earth pin, so only double-insulated appliances are safe to use (that's most of them these days, to be honest).

I can't remember whether it will take a 3-pin Swiss plug or not, to use the other way around. Can't check as it's in Switzerland and I'm in the UK at the moment. I suppose if it doesn't that's a decent safety feature, as double-insulated Swiss appliances tend to have Europlugs.

They are on sale at just about every airport I've flown through. Usually about 20 quid I think.

Neil

I was in Switzerland last month and used a standard European plug (bought at MAN) without any problems.

I was in Switzerland last month and used a standard European plug (bought at MAN) without any problems.

There are two types of socket in Switzerland. Newer ones are recessed so you can't touch the plug pins when live. Those ones don't fit standard European adapters, as the plug body is too big.

Neil

There are two types of socket in Switzerland. Newer ones are recessed so you can't touch the plug pins when live. Those ones don't fit standard European adapters, as the plug body is too big.

Neil

That's 'progress' in technology I suppose. :rolleyes: