Electronics in Europe
 

This is my first time using a laptop on a trip to Europe. I was recently given a plug attachment that fits over my North American plug so that it fits into European outlets. A friend told me that will not work to power my electronics overseas. Is this the case? If so, what exactly DO I need? I have not tried to use electronics in Europe since the days of huge transformers needed for anything you plugged in.

Thanks in advance.

You won't need a converter to use a laptop over here. If you want to be really really sure and won't just trust my comment (after all, it's on the Internet, it must be true) check your laptop's adapter - it will say something like "Input: 110-240V, 50/60Hz".

martona - Thanks a lot. So I guess all I'll need is the plug addition? Thanks again.

Yup, the plug is enough, but please note that continental Europe uses a certain type of connector, and the UK uses another. Make sure you bring the right one.

And the Switzerland version of the two-prong connector is different from the rest of Europe.

Well I bought this handy dandy little box lego-style cube that has attachments for plugs on every continent plus UK. Though I don't remember a Swiss version...

Cell phones okay too?

Well, the Swiss have their grounding wire a bit different. So do the Danes. But a simple ungrounded two-prong EU connector will work everywhere in Europe, except the UK. Look here for more details (than you need):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domesti...gs_and_sockets

As for other equipments: it depends... I have some US gadgets (usually cheapo stuff) that won't work on 220 volts, but most do. Do take a look at the adapter itself and see what the input specifications are. If it takes 220 (or more) volts at both 50 and 60 hertz then you'll be fine. For cellphones specifically, you might want to pick up a cheap USB charger: not only will it definitely work by sucking juice from your laptop's USB port but being a simple cable, it will also take up a lot less room in your luggage. USB chargers are also available for things like the PSP or the Nintendo DS.

Last month I smoked the power supply for my router in Hong Kong. Since every power supply for every gadget I've had for the last 10 years worked anywhere, I assumed that a netgear router's would.

Wrong! I shoulda read the label on the power supply before I nuked it. Cost me over an hour on the phone to netgear's useless Indian call center to order a replacement. This should have taken seconds!

Bottom line: check if you're not 100% sure. I'm now using an HK$200 (aka US$25) router that I got here in Hong Kong. I'll donate it to my host when I leave next week.

Oh, and if the adapter does not say anything about input voltage, you should assume that it will only handle electricity in the market it was sold in. Not necessarily the case, but I had an unlabeled US power supply go poof on me in Europe.

Awesome. Thanks for the advice!

Be careful with cell phone chargers. The last couple I have bought have been 120V only, even though they were "world phones".

I'd be suspicious of any electrical appliance that wasn't marked with its requirements. In the US, I believe it's a legal requirement.