Hi,

I will be in transit in Frankfurt airport for 5-6 hours. I have a laptop that has a traditional US power plug (i.e. which goes into the US wall sockets).

I was wondering if anyone knew what type of electric wall socket is used in Germany (i.e. what do the pins look like).

I want to get an adaptor so that I can plug in my laptop charger into the adaptor and then plug that into the wall socket in Frankfurt airport.

My laptop charger is dual voltage, thus voltage is not an issue, just the physical power socket is the issue.

Thanks,
RJ

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domesti...opean_2-pin.29

It is the same plug used all over Europe. Just be sure to check whether you need a grounded adapter or not.

You should be fine with the standard European dual round pin adapter for a lap top. Most lap top power supply cords are not 3 pronged - that is including a prong for grounded receptacles Most three pronged US plugs will fit a slim Euro adapter with the ground prong being outside the adapter.

Grounds in Germany and Italy are somewhat different than the rest of the European countries and from each other, too.

Hi,

Thanks for the quick and informative reply!

Andy

I carry what I call a "green monster" - it is one of those one piece all-outlet plugs that you can find in an international airport. Mine purports to be Fuji, but I am sure that is just the BAA branding.

The nice thing is that if you use items with transformers (laptop) you never have to worry about the local power specifications.

One thing I also do is keep a "back end" cord for my laptop - the cord that plugs from the transformer into the wall - with a collegue in the countries I visit a lot. That way I can just plug directly in while at the office. You can get these cords at Radio Shack (UK) or almost any computer store in other countries. Usually a few dollars - very handy.

RRRRRR.... wrong answer.

It is not all over Europe. UK has 3prong plug.

Also, som countries, like Italy, have thinner prongs than say Sweden. Strangely italian plugs work in Sweden and vice versa.

/E

OK, continental Europe.

I have never had a problem using my generic continental Euro adapter in Italy even though the pins are slightly different.

RRRRRRR... yeah, I forgot the backwards island

Whenever I talk about standards I should mention that the UK doesn't count.

Just get yourself a multi-adapter and you'll be fine.

And Switzerland is different too. Their socket requires a very slim plug, which makes most European plugs incompatible, even though the pins are the same size and separation.

You can include Ireland in that too - they use the same 3-square-pin plug as the UK.

As for Switzerland, the regular European 2 pin plug (with a few exceptions) works fine as long as you don't need an earth connection - most adapters use the "narrow" style 2 pin plug rather than the large round plug format seen in France, Germany et al.

I'm pretty sure I've seen this link on this forum before, but either way, I have found it very useful.

http://kropla.com/electric2.htm

No, neither Norway nor Sweden are part of continental Europe (we say that we go to the Continent when travelling to Germany and beyond), but we use "German" plugs nevertheless.

Darn, I'm about to lose my (fictitious) Teacher's license!

I'll get it right yet ... as soon as I run out of possible mistakes!

I hope in confirming North American disregard for the common place facts of life for Scandinavians that I did insult any sense of national pride. If so, my apologies.

Good list, thanks for digging it up.....

I also have several of the "multi-country" adapaters listed earlier, although mine are blue . It covers "most" of what I need, mainly the UK (and some former holdings), the European two prong adapter, and a set of swiveling flat blades. The only major exception I've found requiring new adapters was South Africa/Swaziland, which use a plug about the size of the UK socket, except with round prongs. Some just have to be different (and the US "standards" are top on the list).

As noted already, carefully check the voltage rating of the device you are plugging in. Most of my electronics are dual voltage, but not all. Anything using a "wall wart" type transformer (battery chargers, cell phones, PDAs, etc..) are probably set to a specific voltage. They don't seem to mind getting a lower voltage (although it won't work), but going the other way causes a funny smell in the hotel room, and it definitely won't work again.

Anyway, I also carry a multi-country phone adapter around with me, although it doesn't get as much use since I rarely need to dial up for internet access anymore. You think the number of power standards in use are bad, check out the various phone systems!

Don't worry! We expect it from you!