Plug adapters are devices that help us connect chargers to different types of outlets when traveling. They are beneficial but not always safe to use. Here we will discuss different types of features and related factors of plug adapters. So let’s get started with an introduction to travel plug adapters.
Introduction to Plug Adapters
- We use plug adapters to connect different outlets. It mostly handles 3-prong plugs that use older two-prong outlets.
- The latest 3-prong plugs come with a grounding prong for flowing extra current to the socket and ground through wiring. If there is no prong, current flows through the closest conductor.
- Plug adapters do not have grounding features for covering the gap between 3- and 2-prong plugs. If there is no accurate connection, the device will not be able to access the ground.
Are plug adapters safe to use?
- Normally, the plug adapter is not the best option for handling the system and works as a bridge for covering the difference between modern and older outlets.
- So the simple thing is that it takes different outlets when you move abroad.
- If an in-house metallic breaker box is installed and a ground system is in place, plug adapters are safe to use. You can check the breaker box through the meter to make sure that it is grounded or not.
- If outlets do not have a grounding socket, most current passes through the box and into the ground. There is a chance of damage if there is a faulty device connected that can be affected by errant currents.
Different Plug Types
- Different types of plugs are used in different countries. The European countries use C-type plugs, and US plugs are type A.
- In Asia, different plug types are used.
- Here we have a mad list based on country for plug types that helps to use plugs according to your region.
Country | Voltage |
Adapter Type
|
Abu Dhabi | 230 V | G |
Afghanistan | 220 V | C, F |
Albania | 230 V | C, F |
Algeria | 230 V | C, F |
American Samoa | 120 V | A, B, F, I |
Andorra | 230 V | C, F |
Angola | 220 V | C |
Anguilla | 110 V | A, B |
Antigua and Barbuda | 230 V | A, B |
Argentina | 220 V | C, I |
Armenia | 230 V | C, F |
Aruba | 120 V | A, B, F |
Australia | 230 V | I |
Austria | 230 V | C, F |
Azerbaijan | 220 V | C, F |
Azores | 230 V | B, C, F |
Bahamas | 120 V | A, B |
Bahrain | 230 V | G |
Balearic Islands | 230 V | C, F |
Bangladesh | 220 V | A, C, D, G, K |
Barbados | 115 V | A, B |
Belarus | 220 V | C, F |
Belgium | 230 V | C, E |
Belize | 110 V / 220 V | A, B, G |
Benin | 220 V | C, E |
Bermuda | 120 V | A, B |
Bhutan | 230 V | C, D, G |
Bolivia | 230 V | A, C |
Bonaire | 127 V | A, C |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 230 V | C, F |
Botswana | 230 V | D, G |
Brazil | 127 V / 220 V | C, N |
British Virgin Islands | 110 V | A, B |
Brunei | 240 V | G |
Bulgaria | 230 V | C, F |
Burkina Faso | 220 V | C, E |
Burma/Myanmar | 230 V | A, C, D, G, I |
Burundi | 220 V | C, E |
Cambodia | 230 V | A, C, G |
Cameroon | 220 V | C, E |
Canada | 120 V | A, B |
Canary Islands | 230 V | C, E, F |
Cape Verde | 230 V | C, F |
Cayman Islands | 120 V | A, B |
Central African Republic | 220 V | C, E |
Chad | 220 V | C, D, E, F |
Channel Islands | 230 V | C, G |
Chile | 220 V | C, L |
China | 220 V | A, C, I |
Christmas Island | 230 V | I |
Cocos Islands | 230 V | I |
Colombia | 110 V | A, B |
Comoros | 220 V | C, E |
Congo, Democratic Republic | 220 V | C, D, E |
Congo | 230 V | C, E |
Cook Islands | 240 V | I |
Costa Rica | 120 V | A, B |
Ivory Coast | 220 V | C, E |
Croatia | 230 V | C, F |
Cuba | 110 V / 220 V | A, B, C, L |
Curaçao | 127 V | A, B |
Cyprus | 230 V | G |
Cyprus, North | 230 V | G |
Czech Republic | 230 V | C, E |
Denmark | 230 V | C, E, F, K |
Djibouti | 220 V | C, E |
Dominica | 230 V | D, G |
Dominican Republic | 120 V | A, B |
Dubai | 230 V | G |
East Timor | 220 V | C, E, F, I |
Ecuador | 120 V | A, B |
Egypt | 220 V | C, F |
El Salvador | 120 V | A, B |
England | 230 V | G |
Sint Eustatius | 110 V / 220 V | A, B, C, F |
Sint Maarten | 110 V | A, B |
Saint Vincent & Grenadines | 110 V / 230 V | A, B, G |
Samoa | 230 V | I |
San Marino | 230 V | C, F, L |
São Tomé & PrÃncipe | 230 V | C, F |
Saudi Arabia | 230 V | G |
Scotland | 230 V | G |
Senegal | 230 V | C, D, E, K |
Serbia | 230 V | C, F |
Seychelles | 240 V | G |
Sierra Leone | 230 V | D, G |
Singapore | 230 V | G |
Slovakia | 230 V | C, E |
Slovenia | 230 V | C, F |
Solomon Islands | 230 V | G, I |
Somalia | 220 V | C |
Somaliland | 220 V | C |
South Africa | 230 V | C, D, M, N |
South Korea | 220 V | C, F |
South Sudan | 230 V | C, D |
Spain | 230 V | C, F |
Hong Kong | 220 V | G |
Hungary | 230 V | C, F |
Iceland | 230 V | C, F |
India | 230 V | C, D, M |
Indonesia | 230 V | C, F |
Iran | 230 V | C, F |
Iraq | 230 V | C, D, G |
Ireland | 230 V | G |
Ireland, Northern | 230 V | G |
Isle of Man | 230 V | C, G |
Israel | 230 V | C, H |
Italy | 230 V | C, F, L |
Jamaica | 110 V | A, B |
Japan | 100 V | A, B |
Jordan | 230 V | C, D, F, G, J |
Kazakhstan | 220 V | C, F |
Kenya | 240 V | G |
Kiribati | 240 V | I |
Korea, North | 220 V | C |
Korea, South | 220 V | C, F |
Kosovo | 230 V | C, F |
Kuwait | 240 V | G |
Kyrgyzstan | 220 V | C, F |
Laos | 230 V | A, B, C, E, F |
Latvia | 230 V | C, F |
Lebanon | 230 V | C, D, G |
Lesotho | 220 V | M |
Liberia | 120 V | A, B |
Libya | 230 V | C, L |
Liechtenstein | 230 V | C, J |
Lithuania | 230 V | C, F |
Luxembourg | 230 V | C, F |
Macau | 220 V | G |
Macedonia | 230 V | C, F |
Madagascar | 220 V | C, E |
Madeira | 230 V | C, F |
Malawi | 230 V | G |
Malaysia | 240 V | G |
Maldives | 230 V | C, D, G, J, K, L |
Mali | 220 V | C, E |
Malta | 230 V | G |
Marshall Islands | 120 V | A, B |
Martinique | 220 V | C, D, E |
Mauritania | 220 V | C |
Mauritius | 230 V | C, G |
Mayotte | 230 V | C, E |
Mexico | 127 V | A, B |
Micronesia | 120 V | A, B |
Moldova | 230 V | C, F |
Monaco | 230 V | C, E, F |
Mongolia | 230 V | C, E |
Montenegro | 230 V | C, F |
Montserrat | 230 V | A, B |
Morocco | 220 V | C, E |
Mozambique | 220 V | C, F, M |
Namibia | 220 V | D, M |
Nauru | 240 V | I |
Nepal | 230 V | C, D, M |
Netherlands | 230 V | C, F |
New Caledonia | 220 V | C, F |
New Zealand | 230 V | I |
Nicaragua | 120 V | A |
Niger | 220 V | C, D, E, F |
Nigeria | 230 V | D, G |
Niue | 230 V | I |
Norfolk Island | 230 V | I |
North Cyprus | 230 V | G |
Northern Ireland | 230 V | G |
North Korea | 220 V | C |
Norway | 230 V | C, F |
Oman | 240 V | G |
Pakistan | 230 V | C, D |
Palau | 120 V | A, B |
Palestine | 230 V | C, H |
Panama | 120 V | A, B |
Papua New Guinea | 240 V | I |
Paraguay | 220 V | C |
Peru | 220 V | A, C |
Philippines | 220 V | A, B, C |
Pitcairn Islands | 230 V | I |
Poland | 230 V | C, E |
Portugal | 230 V | C, F |
Puerto Rico | 120 V | A, B |
Qatar | 240 V | G |
Réunion | 230 V | C, E |
Romania | 230 V | C, F |
Russia | 220 V | C, F |
Rwanda | 230 V | C, J |
Saba | 110 V | A, B |
Saint Barthélemy | 230 V | C, E |
Saint Kitts and Nevis | 230 V | D, G |
Saint Lucia | 230 V | G |
Saint Martin | 220 V | C, E |
Saint Helena | 230 V | G |
Sri Lanka | 230 V | D, G |
Sudan | 230 V | C, D |
Suriname | 127 V / 230 V | A, B, C, F |
Swaziland | 230 V | M |
Sweden | 230 V | C, F |
Switzerland | 230 V | C, J |
Syria | 220 V | C, E, L |
Tahiti | 220 V | C, E |
Taiwan | 110 V | A, B |
Tajikistan | 220 V | C, F |
Tanzania | 230 V | D, G |
Thailand | 230 V | A, B, C, O |
Togo | 220 V | C |
Tokelau | 230 V | I |
Tonga | 240 V | I |
Trinidad & Tobago | 115 V | A, B |
Tunisia | 230 V | C, E |
Turkey | 230 V | C, F |
Turkmenistan | 220 V | C, F |
Turks & Caicos Islands | 120 V | A, B |
Tuvalu | 230 V | I |
Uganda | 240 V | G |
Ukraine | 230 V | C, F |
United Arab Emirates | 230 V | G |
United Kingdom | 230 V | G |
United States of America | 120 V | A, B |
United States Virgin Islands | 110 V | A, B |
Uruguay | 220 V | C, F, L |
Uzbekistan | 220 V | C, F |
Vanuatu | 230 V | I |
Vatican City | 230 V | C, F, L |
Venezuela | 120 V | A, B |
Vietnam | 220 V | A, C, D |
Virgin Islands, British | 110 V | A, B |
Virgin Islands, United States | 110 V | A, B |
Wales | 230 V | G |
Yemen | 230 V | A, D, G |
Zambia | 230 V | C, D, G |
Zimbabwe | 240 V | D, G |
Equatorial Guinea | 220 V | C, E |
Eritrea | 230 V | C, L |
Estonia | 230 V | C, F |
Ethiopia | 220 V | C, F |
Faroe Islands | 230 V | C, E, F, K |
Falkland Islands | 240 V | G |
Fiji | 240 V | I |
Finland | 230 V | C, F |
France | 230 V | C, E |
French Guiana | 220 V | C, D, E |
Gabon | 220 V | C |
Gambia | 230 V | G |
Gaza Strip | 230 V | C, H |
Georgia | 220 V | C, F |
Germany | 230 V | C, F |
Ghana | 230 V | D, G |
Gibraltar | 230 V | G |
Great Britain | 230 V | G |
Greece | 230 V | C, F |
Greenland | 230 V | C, E, F, K |
Grenada | 230 V | G |
Guadeloupe | 230 V | C, E |
Guam | 110 V | A, B |
Guatemala | 120 V | A, B |
Guinea | 220 V | C, F, K |
Guinea-Bissau | 220 V | C |
Guyana | 120 V / 240 V | A, B, D, G |
Haiti | 110 V | A, B |
Honduras | 120 V | A, B |
Single-Region Travel Adapters
- Single-region travel adapters are simple and common to use. For certain countries, these models used the same socket and voltage. They are low cost but have limited features. It also comes with a multiway connection and helps to make a one-way, single-region adapter with a multi-socket for many devices that is commonly used.
Multi-Region Travel Adapters
- For high options, multi-region adapters are used, and they are larger-sized and complex design modules. It has different pins for the connection of different sockets. These plugs have different standards for plugs and sockets and connection features.
- They are mostly used in the UK, Asia, and USA countries.
Universal Travel Adapters
- Universal travel adapters are best to use in mostly countries. It is larger in size than other modules that help to provide more features.
- Either they are best to use, have many features, but their larger size makes them difficult to carry. Some features of universal travel adapters are.
-
- USB charging
- USB-PD
- Multiple voltage ratings
- USB-C ports
- Wi-Fi operated
- Quick charge capabilities
Alternatives to plug adapters
- At the time of traveling, plug adapters are the best option for device connection in the power supply. But phone chargers are low cost, and last phones come with a standard charging system, so no need of adapters.
- In the home, if there is outdated electrical wiring, it is best to replace it with the latest outlets and grounding. Plug adapters are just temporary solutions that help when you do not have a permanent solution.
Travel Plug Adapters
- When you are traveling to foreign countries from the USA, consider some points before using plug-in devices or chargers. The voltage in different countries is 220 to 240 volts, 50 hertz. So there are different plugs used according to location.
- For using plug-in devices in other countries, there is a need for plug adapters. For older types of devices and chargers, there is a voltage converter required.
- Adapters come in single modules, groups, and universal adapters. Universal adapters come with different combinations in one module according to the country.
What is a 2-pin plug adapter?
- The 2-pin adapter is a simple component used for the connection of devices with power outlets that come with two holes. This adapter has two prongs that are configured with outlet slots.
- It is used for small devices for connection with power supplies, for example, chargers, laptops, cameras, etc.
- Two-pin plug adapters are used for applications where you have two-pin sockets, like in Asia or European countries.
What is a 3-pin plug adapter?
- The three-pin plug adapter has features for the connection of devices with a power outlet where three holes exist. These adapters come with 3 prongs that are compatible with the outlet’s slots.
- In this adapter, the third pin is longer and thicker as compared to the others. It is a ground pin and helps to save from electric shocks and provides safe features.
- The 3-pin plug adapter is commonly used in larger devices such as washing machines, refrigerators, computers, and other high-power devices.
- Its uses are in the United States, Canada, and some parts of Europe.
What to Consider Before International Travel
- Based on your country, select an adapter. If there is a ground pin in your device, use 3-pin adapters with ground. The two-pin adapters that have line and neutral pins are commonly used and low cost.
- New devices and chargers work on 100 volts to 240 volts and 50 to 60 frequency.
FAQs
What travel plug do I need for Europe?
- In different European countries, there are Type C adapters that are used that have two round pins. It is good to make sure that certain requirements are met before moving to other countries.
What plug type is used in Asia?
- Type C and G are commonly used plug types in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia and are also used in Vietnam and Thailand. The voltage range in these countries is 220 to 240 volts.
What is the function of an adapter plug?
- The power adapters convert AC voltage into single DC voltage for computers or other devices. It works like an external battery for our devices that are not supported by larger voltage.
Do I Need a Travel Converter or Adapter?
- For foreign travel, a charging device converter or travel adapter can be used, but the most convenient option is to use a portable socket converter. There are different options you can use, like one-region adapters, multi-way converters, and universal Wi-Fi-enabled sockets.
Do Travel Adapters Change Voltage?
- Most travel adapters do not change the voltage, but different models work for different types of voltage and current ratings.