6. Does Prague have the same types of electrical plugs as most of Western Europe, or do we need to bring a different kind of adapter?

The photo shows

  1. Shape adapters
    • ungrounded shape adapters (two prongs)
    • grounded shape adapters (three prongs) These are safer.

  2. A combined voltage and shape adapter
    This is the white box in the picture. This adapter has two round prongs for 220V (on the back) and provides a 110V outlet, accepting the flat prongs common in U.S., on the front. To avoid overheating, the power capacity of a voltage adapter must be sufficient to support the appliance. (See more below)
Shape adapters
As unwary travelers have discovered, shape adapters allow you to plug an appliance designed for 110V (USA) into an outlet giving 220V, without changing (or adapting) the voltage, defeating all the safety features and allowing you to fry your appliances and computers.

A geometric adapter just changes the shape, without changing the voltage. It's a bit like an "adapter" which would allow you to put leaded gas into a car which uses diesel.

Pictured on our FAQ6 summary page, the Czech Republic's recessed two prong outlet is similar to those in most parts of Europe. Excellent illustrations of European plugs, included the different variants in Italy and Britain, are shown here. Shape adapters for these European outlets are shown and sold here: travel gear. Most travel shops carry them.

American travelers generally purchase the ungrounded European plug. These actually defeat the purpose of having a recessed outlet, which is to prevent the user from accidentally touching the metal prongs carrying 220V. These adapters will serve their purpose, as they have for decades, but use caution. Be aware that not only will the prongs of your adapter carry that 220V, but so will your appliance's American flat prongs plugged into it.

Voltage: Single, Dual, or Switchable?
Adapting your laptop or hairdryer in foreign countries is more complex than just shape. In some cases, travelers must also adapt the voltage to their electronic gear. However, some newer electronic appliances already have "dual voltage" capability and a shape adapter is all they need. These gadgets are so smart that they "read the voltage" and adapt themselves "on the fly". To find out whether your particular electronic device is that smart, you need to look at the label which is at the bottom or back of the appliance, near where the electric cord is attached. You should see one of the following:
  1. Voltage 110V ~ 240 V. -- This means it is "dual voltage" - automatic conversion of voltage
  2. Voltage 110V, 220V -- This is switchable -- converted by flipping a switch
  3. 110V single voltage - U.S. appliance with flat prongs.
  4. 220V single voltage -- Czech Republic and most of Europe, with round prongs
If you have a dual voltage appliance with a power supply adapter, such as a computer, you can purchase an appliance cord with a European plug on one end and a regular power cord plug on the other. Though not essential, this is a safer alternative to using an ungrounded adapter with your flat-pronged cord. All major suppliers, e.g. IBM, Hewlett Packard, sell them.
Voltage adapters
When you have a "single voltage" appliance in the "wrong" region you need a voltage adapter. These comes in two types: a voltage converter, or a transformer. This link has detailed information for voltage adapters: transformers and converters.
This link explains the difference: Voltage converters and transformers

To simplify: converters and transformers handle the conversion of one voltage to another quite differently. Most travelers would prefer to carry a converter, because they are smaller, lighter, and cheaper.

Why can't we use a converter for everything?

Converters are good for light bulbs, hair dryers, and heat sources (such as hot water cans).
They can run a big heat source, such as a 14000W hair dryer, OR a small motor, such as a 50W shaver.
Sometimes they have a switch for the type of load (big heat source or a small motor). They can not handle computers, printers, and electronic devices. That's where transformers come in.

Transformers can handle any type of load: light bulbs, hair dryers, motors (shaver, mixers..) as well as electronic appliances (computers, printers), fluorescent lights, dimmers... The importance of having a dual voltage laptop or printer is immediately apparent when you consider the necessity of lugging around an expensive and very heavy transformer for a single voltage appliance.

In using either converters or transformers, note that the power drain of the load (shown on the appliance label in W - watts) needs to be less than the power capacity of the voltage adapter (shown on the adapter) to prevent overheating. For example, do not use your 18000 watt hairdryer with your 12000W converter.

Hedgie's suggestion:
If you are carrying a converter or transformer solely in order to run a hairdryer, consider a better, lighter-weight alternative. Buy a small hairdryer in Europe and bring it on all future trips. You may still need plug (shape) adaptors if you visit Italy or Britain, but they are easily available in an electric shop those countries, and you can bring these items on your next trip.
Other Electronic Issues
There are other electrical and electronic issues: WiFi (pronounced "Wiffy" in Czech) has replaced the use of dial-up modems. This has eliminated the issue of incompatibility due to dial tones.

DVD players have "regions" and TV standards differ in the U.S., Asia, and Europe.

Advanced topics:
Frequency concerns
 
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