Author Topic: American visiting the UK - electrical conversion device assistance  (Read 1474 times)

Sibley

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My family is going to be visiting the UK next year. This is all my sister's fault - she and her boyfriend of 10 years broke up and she decided that we were all going on a family trip. She told me this at 10pm on a Sunday. lol.

I'm trying to figure out electrical conversion. There will of course be American devices - phones, etc, with American standard plugs, both 2 and 3 prong. We need some sort of device so that we can safely and effectively plug in all these devices. My googling has just confused me.

Current mental count is 4 cell phones, an ipod, samsung tablet, 1 or possibly 2 laptops, and a digital camera. Not all of which will need charging at the same time of course, but that gives you some idea of scope. Some of these can charge via cable, others have to plug into an outlet.

There's lots of people on here either from the UK or who travel frequently, any recommendations?

Kris

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Re: American visiting the UK - electrical conversion device assistance
« Reply #1 on: October 16, 2022, 08:27:20 PM »
For any Apple products, you need prong adapters, but not voltage converters. Other than that, unsure.

Alternatepriorities

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AccidentialMustache

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Re: American visiting the UK - electrical conversion device assistance
« Reply #3 on: October 16, 2022, 09:44:07 PM »
+1 universal/country specific wall wart to charge phone/tablet/camera. No point power converting for your US ones, just get one for that country.

Check your computer power supplies and see what they accept. It'll be printed on them. You're looking for 50-60 Hz and 120-240 V, wattage doesn't really matter because you'll pull less watts because you'll be at a higher voltage. If your computers have the full range of Hz and V, all you need is to adapt the plug, not change the power delivered. That's a lot cheaper, but beware plugging anything else into that plug adapter will likely fry or melt other stuff.

If your power bricks take standard plugs on the wall cord side (eg, the "printer power cord" https://www.amazon.com/Printer-Different-Lexmark-Brother-Epson/dp/B004HJ6V1W -- or the grounded variant with 3 wires), you may be able to get the proper cable with UK plug on the other end and just use that with your power brick.

bill1827

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Re: American visiting the UK - electrical conversion device assistance
« Reply #4 on: October 17, 2022, 01:43:55 AM »
Yes, most small switching power supplies are universal and will work anywhere in the world. 50/60Hz something like 100-240V, but check the device to be sure. Adapters for plugs are very widely available.

PDXTabs

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Re: American visiting the UK - electrical conversion device assistance
« Reply #5 on: October 17, 2022, 02:30:57 AM »
As others have commented get some adaptors that look like this: https://www.amazon.com/BESTEK-Grounded-Universal-Adapter-Ireland/dp/B00RBFK5AC/
If you are particularly frugal these can be found in the UK for £1 each at some hardware stores in my experience.

You can check your devices to see if they support 240v @ 50hz, but IRL almost everything does. I just spent 3 weeks in Scotland and 100% of my devices from the USA were compatible.

Dave1442397

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Re: American visiting the UK - electrical conversion device assistance
« Reply #6 on: October 17, 2022, 05:48:34 AM »
I bought adapters here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/0F8A820B-1821-4D91-BDA0-BBB8CDB59825?ingress=2&visitId=e4b45852-4686-41ed-b348-4e2d7d7503d6&ref_=ast_bln

I also bought this extension cord. It came in handy for charging multiple USB devices at once while my camera battery charger was plugged into an outlet. I got it just so I could be sure I was able to keep devices where I wanted them, as opposed to being tied to the length of the USB cable from the wall outlets.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WJG8K85/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also, if you're staying in hotels, the ones we stayed at all had USB chargers built into the nightstands or headboards, which was very useful.

Kris

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Re: American visiting the UK - electrical conversion device assistance
« Reply #7 on: October 17, 2022, 05:59:02 AM »
Oh, on the subject of extension cords, it is illegal in the UK to have electrical outlets in bathrooms (with an exception for the extremely low-voltage ones used for shavers). If you plan to use hair dryers or stylers, I’d suggest you bring an extension cord so that you have enough length to get yourself to a mirror somewhere in the hotel/apartment where you are staying. (Note that I’m not suggesting that this is to get yourself to the bathroom mirror.) In addition, you might also consider a small free-standing travel mirror in the event that there are no other mirrors.

bill1827

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Re: American visiting the UK - electrical conversion device assistance
« Reply #8 on: October 17, 2022, 07:16:28 AM »
Shaver sockets aren't low voltage, they are mains voltage (often switchable 110/230V) but are fed from an isolating transformer which more or less removes any safety concerns. Strictly speaking you can have mains outlets in bathrooms in the UK but they have to be some distance away from wet areas, 2.5M IIRC, so most bathrooms are too small.

If you are bringing high power devices like hair driers, they will probably not be suitable for 230V supplies.

Kris

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Re: American visiting the UK - electrical conversion device assistance
« Reply #9 on: October 17, 2022, 07:18:08 AM »
Shaver sockets aren't low voltage, they are mains voltage (often switchable 110/230V) but are fed from an isolating transformer which more or less removes any safety concerns. Strictly speaking you can have mains outlets in bathrooms in the UK but they have to be some distance away from wet areas, 2.5M IIRC, so most bathrooms are too small.

If you are bringing high power devices like hair driers, they will probably not be suitable for 230V supplies.

Ah, good to know. Thanks for the clarifications.

RainyDay

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Re: American visiting the UK - electrical conversion device assistance
« Reply #10 on: October 17, 2022, 08:06:51 AM »
We traveled to the UK earlier this year and just bought one adapter at a local convenience store when we got there.  I think it was $5 or so.  Worked great, since the only time we needed it was in a hotel.  The cars had charging ports for cells phones.

If you use a curling iron, note that your US one won't work, even with the adapter.  I think it was because their power outlets don't pull enough voltage to actually heat the curling iron. 

jinga nation

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Re: American visiting the UK - electrical conversion device assistance
« Reply #11 on: October 17, 2022, 10:38:18 AM »
As others have commented get some adaptors that look like this: https://www.amazon.com/BESTEK-Grounded-Universal-Adapter-Ireland/dp/B00RBFK5AC/
If you are particularly frugal these can be found in the UK for £1 each at some hardware stores in my experience.

You can check your devices to see if they support 240v @ 50hz, but IRL almost everything does. I just spent 3 weeks in Scotland and 100% of my devices from the USA were compatible.

^This.
Should I be worried as the face on these Amazon Basics adaptors? :p
https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Travel-Plug-Adapter-Ireland/dp/B07VXGC3V3/ref=psdc_6396124011_t1_B00RBFK5AC

I'm wary of the Poundland 1 squid adaptors. Of the two I bought, one insta-blew the internal fuse. The other has loose pins, wiggle them a bit and internally there's an open contact.

PDXTabs

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Re: American visiting the UK - electrical conversion device assistance
« Reply #12 on: October 17, 2022, 10:43:15 AM »
As others have commented get some adaptors that look like this: https://www.amazon.com/BESTEK-Grounded-Universal-Adapter-Ireland/dp/B00RBFK5AC/
If you are particularly frugal these can be found in the UK for £1 each at some hardware stores in my experience.

You can check your devices to see if they support 240v @ 50hz, but IRL almost everything does. I just spent 3 weeks in Scotland and 100% of my devices from the USA were compatible.

I'm wary of the Poundland 1 squid adaptors. Of the two I bought, one insta-blew the internal fuse. The other has loose pins, wiggle them a bit and internally there's an open contact.

Good to know! I already had enough adaptors so I didn't pick up any of the Poundland adaptors during my trips.

Sibley

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Re: American visiting the UK - electrical conversion device assistance
« Reply #13 on: October 17, 2022, 11:36:45 AM »
This is awesome, thank you all. I think we'll be set on power, though I have to read all the power bricks to confirm.

No curling irons or hair dryers. Dad does have an electric shaver which I'd forgotten about. Only apple device is the ipod, everything else is android.

Dave1442397

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Re: American visiting the UK - electrical conversion device assistance
« Reply #14 on: October 18, 2022, 04:51:32 AM »
This is awesome, thank you all. I think we'll be set on power, though I have to read all the power bricks to confirm.

No curling irons or hair dryers. Dad does have an electric shaver which I'd forgotten about. Only apple device is the ipod, everything else is android.

Shavers should all be 110-240V these days. It'll be printed on it somewhere.

InvincibleChutzpah

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Re: American visiting the UK - electrical conversion device assistance
« Reply #15 on: October 18, 2022, 12:15:56 PM »
My travel hair dryer is dual voltage. It has a little switch on the side. I actually bought it on accident, but it's been super freaking handy. I have curly hair, so I need to bring my own hair dryer with diffuser attachment when I travel.

Sibley

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Re: American visiting the UK - electrical conversion device assistance
« Reply #16 on: October 18, 2022, 05:16:44 PM »
This is awesome, thank you all. I think we'll be set on power, though I have to read all the power bricks to confirm.

No curling irons or hair dryers. Dad does have an electric shaver which I'd forgotten about. Only apple device is the ipod, everything else is android.

Shavers should all be 110-240V these days. It'll be printed on it somewhere.

Indeed it is, I just checked. Dad wasn't able to read the pertinent info, it was black on black. So far, everything is 110/120-240V and 50-60 Hz. I've ordered some adapters which should work for everything we have. So hopefully power will be solved.

Alternatepriorities

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Re: American visiting the UK - electrical conversion device assistance
« Reply #17 on: October 18, 2022, 08:43:26 PM »
Nice! I hope it’s a fun trip!

NorthernMonkey

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Re: American visiting the UK - electrical conversion device assistance
« Reply #18 on: October 20, 2022, 02:43:26 AM »
As someone who travels quite a bit, only take devices which charge via USB C or USB A, then buy a multiport USB charger for the country you're in.

Dont mess about with those silly converter things, theyre a pain.

MisterA

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Re: American visiting the UK - electrical conversion device assistance
« Reply #19 on: October 20, 2022, 04:06:15 AM »
As someone who travels quite a bit, only take devices which charge via USB C or USB A, then buy a multiport USB charger for the country you're in.

Dont mess about with those silly converter things, theyre a pain.
Like this thing:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09WW1R8H3?smid=A3RBAM4HOC6PST [amazon.co.uk]
« Last Edit: October 20, 2022, 08:53:46 AM by MisterA »

ChickenStash

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Re: American visiting the UK - electrical conversion device assistance
« Reply #20 on: October 20, 2022, 09:21:15 AM »
I used one of these gizmos the last time I traveled and it worked well:
https://www.amazon.com/SAUNORCH-Universal-International-Worldwide-Asia-Blue/dp/B078M32R41

I was going to be hitting a few different countries and the interwebs couldn't tell me exactly what I was going to encounter so it was nice to have a lot of options. It's only an adapter, not a converter, so the devices still have to support the V/Hz provided (my stuff did).

In the end, I was able to pare down what I was bringing along and wound up only using the USB ports but it was still handy.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!