Europe - Power converters

Hey Guys, I am leaving shortly for europe from NA, and was just wondering if most hotels (Holiday inns, crown plazas, etc) In Italy/Germany/France have rooms with our 120v power plugs or have converters available at the front desk; or if we would just be best to take one with us.

Thanks

Soctkets:

Sockets giving 110V output are ultra rare. The only places I can think of where you will occasionally see them (outside of bathrooms) is some big airport lounges, and even then they are rare.

Additionally you may be fine with 110V items if they are bathroom (electric shavers, toothbrushes), as these sometimes have switchable sockets between 110 and 240V.

Need 110?:

Do you actually need 110V - most electronics these days are built for 110/240V.

And older bathroom devices were (in some countries) 110V, and as such in some countries bathroom sockets are switchable 110/240V.

But I wouldn't rely upon it.

Pin Adapoors:

If your stuff is fine on the higher voltage, all you need is a plug pin adaptor. These are cheap found at many airport shops and many hotels, especially non-budget ones, will lend them to guests.

Voltage converters:

A lot more rare and bulky. Far less likely for hotels to have these to lend.


In some hotels you will occasinally see US and other world plugs beside the desk for laptop use, but with a big warning that it is only for equirpment rated for the higher voltage.


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What electronic items are you worried about?

only one, usb wall plug, to charge blackberry and camera.

only one, usb wall plug, to charge blackberry and camera.

Something as modern as a USB wall plug is bound to run on 110-240V - though you should, of course, double-check this as there are exceptions (I bought a Nokia cellphone charger in Canada a few years ago which turned out to be 110V only)

Or you could just buy one on ebay. Something like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170835485595 - less than $2 including delivery, though that particular example may take too long to deliver for you.

Or you could just buy one on ebay. Something like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170835485595 - less than $2 including delivery, though that particular example may take too long to deliver for you.

When buying USB port socket chargers (i.e. wall chargers that present a usb port for the cable of the device) always check that the power output is correct for your device.

I've seen some as low as 200-300 mW, no where near enough for a blackberry or iPad, etc that naturually didn't charge at all on such.

When buying USB port socket chargers (i.e. wall chargers that present a usb port for the cable of the device) always check that the power output is correct for your device.

I've seen some as low as 200-300 mW, no where near enough for a blackberry or iPad, etc that naturually didn't charge at all on such.

i think you are looking for Amperage rating (i could be wrong [mr Ohm says theyre all tied one way or another]]

most hotels nowadays should have the pin converters. though you also should be able to find them at any airport

i always carry atleast 2-3 in my travel just to be sure

I'd expect you can find one easily in an electronics store or Canadian Tire, even. I bought an international plug adapter years ago for $10 from the American Airlines duty-free catalog.