[BRussell]

You do have it, right? (just kidding)

I'm getting ready to live in Germany (from the US) for a while, and I just want to be clear that I understand the electricity. This is the typical German plug, right?



And is this the standard throughout most of (continental) Europe? I talked with someone recently who said the plugs in France are totally different from Germany, and their cameras etc. couldn't be recharged. But everything else I've read says they should be the same.

Thanks.

[seanc]

I think most countries in the EU use different socket types. I'm not sure about the voltage though.

UK & Ireland use the same plugs and 240v.

[OreoCookie]

In all countries but the UK, this will work. This is the so-called Euro plug which works in all of (what British consider) Europe. Most power adapters these days can take voltages from 110-240 V.

Where exactly will you live?

[turtle777]

Yes and no, this adapter works for most devices that don't require a a third plug for grounding.

For devices that automatically switch the volatge, I recommend this.
I think it just makes it safer to operate, don't ask me the details.



-t

[BRussell]

Originally Posted by OreoCookie 

In all countries but the UK, this will work. This is the so-called Euro plug which works in all of (what British consider) Europe. Most power adapters these days can take voltages from 110-240 V.

Where exactly will you live?

I'll be in Heidelberg, and hope to travel quite a bit (to France, especially) while I'm there.

Also: I bought the Apple "world traveller" kit thingie for my Macs. Probably not necessary, but I thought I'd just try to stay safe.

But here's another question: If I plug my computer into the outlet, I should be able to plug an iPod or other USB-powered device into the computer for recharging, right? But what if the device itself (I have a camera that can be recharged via USB) isn't the right voltage?

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by seanc 

I think most countries in the EU use different socket types. I'm not sure about the voltage though.

UK & Ireland use the same plugs and 240v.

We're supposed to use 230v, same as the rest of the EU. In practice we still get 240v, AFAIK, because the extra 10v is within tolerances for 230v systems and nobody could be arsed to change it.

[BRussell]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Yes and no, this adapter works for most devices that don't require a a third plug for grounding.

For devices that automatically switch the volatge, I recommend this.
I think it just makes it safer to operate, don't ask me the details.



-t

Right. I think I'll buy a couple of adaptors each of the two prongers and the three prongers. How common are the grounded three-prong outlets compared to the two-prongers?

[peeb]

You won't need the three prong ones for most consumer electronics. What are you going to be using? The world traveller kit is just a more expensive version of the adaptors you can get anywhere else, but, if you have it, you're covered.

Re USB charging - no problem - the USB outputs DC power anyway. Your camera won't know what line voltage you're running the transformer.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by BRussell 

Right. I think I'll buy a couple of adaptors each of the two prongers and the three prongers. How common are the grounded three-prong outlets compared to the two-prongers?

Outlets in Germany are ALL that way. It's called Schuko Stecker.

The other two-pronged plug fits in there.

-t

[OreoCookie]

Originally Posted by BRussell 

But here's another question: If I plug my computer into the outlet, I should be able to plug an iPod or other USB-powered device into the computer for recharging, right? But what if the device itself (I have a camera that can be recharged via USB) isn't the right voltage?

Usually all rechargers (cell phones, cameras, etc.) work with 110-240 V, just check the label. You should be able to use all your favorite electronic toys with the chargers they have included.

I advise you to do the following: get one or several powerstrip and one good adapter for each of the powerstrips. Plug your devices into them. Done. I've done that in Japan which worked like a charm, although I forgot to bring it to Berkeley.

[peeb]

I know Palm used to ship with 110 only chargers - not sure now though.

[BRussell]

Originally Posted by peeb 

You won't need the three prong ones for most consumer electronics. What are you going to be using? The world traveller kit is just a more expensive version of the adaptors you can get anywhere else, but, if you have it, you're covered.

In addition to the Mac, I have two iPods, an electric razor for sure, maybe an alarm clock, maybe a battery recharger for cameras, and my wife will probably bring some things too. We'll try to buy most things there obviously, but there will be some things we'll bring ourselves.

Re USB charging - no problem - the USB outputs DC power anyway. Your camera won't know what line voltage you're running the transformer.

Good.

[OreoCookie]

Originally Posted by BRussell 

In addition to the Mac, I have two iPods, an electric razor for sure, maybe an alarm clock, maybe a battery recharger for cameras, and my wife will probably bring some things too. We'll try to buy most things there obviously, but there will be some things we'll bring ourselves.

The iPod charger won't be a problem, I brought one here and they work. Battery rechargers for AAs might not work neither might your alarm clock, so you probably have to buy them in Germany. Rechargers for rechargeable camera batteries will usually work.

Just check the labels … 

[analogika]

Originally Posted by BRussell 

Right. I think I'll buy a couple of adaptors each of the two prongers and the three prongers. How common are the grounded three-prong outlets compared to the two-prongers?

They're the norm.

ALL sockets here are recessed, btw, meaning that plugs sit half an inch in the wall socket to reduce the risk of accidental shock when pulling a plug.

[peeb]

Originally Posted by analogika 

They're the norm.

ALL sockets here are recessed, btw, meaning that plugs sit half an inch in the wall socket to reduce the risk of accidental shock when pulling a plug.

Which is a PITA because a lot of adaptors won't fit in the recess....

[BRussell]

Originally Posted by analogika 

They're the norm.

ALL sockets here are recessed, btw, meaning that plugs sit half an inch in the wall socket to reduce the risk of accidental shock when pulling a plug.

So it would be safe to get only the converters with European 3-prong style?

[TETENAL]

No plug in Germany has 3 prongs. They all have two. The flat ones (first picture in this thread) are not grounded, the round ones (plug in the second picture) are grounded. If your devices don't have the prong for ground, you can get the flat adapter in the first picture.

Every device has a label on the back that says whether it can cope with 230 V or not. If it's 110 V only don't bring it here.

[Timo]

Two things:

Southern Europe can have the prongs slightly closer together than Northern Europe (or farther apart...can't remember).

Get the adapters in the US -- they can be hard to find in Europe.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by peeb 

Which is a PITA because a lot of adaptors won't fit in the recess....

Having got shocked more than once pulling a plug out of a US/Japanese socket, I have to disagree about the "PITA" part.

But yes, I mentioned it because it's something to keep in mind.

Adapters shouldn't be too hard to find in Heidelberg, though - that town is 80% tourists at any given time.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by Timo 

Two things:

Southern Europe can have the prongs slightly closer together than Northern Europe (or farther apart...can't remember).

Yep - there's a type of plug that has slightly thicker prongs that are slightly closer together. These WILL NOT FIT in German/French sockets.

I mentioned the part about the recessed sockets also because sometimes you can get compact voltage transformers that merely have the prongs sticking out the side and would require a socket flush with the wall.

That type of socket is illegal in much of Europe for obvious reasons.

[Judge_Fire]

To elaborate a bit; the grounding is done through the flat metal pieces in the pictured grey plug. (Which is used in the Nordic countries, too.)

I love this design, since the recessed socket helps the plugs attach firmly.

Schuko - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[BRussell]

Originally Posted by TETENAL 

No plug in Germany has 3 prongs. They all have two. The flat ones (first picture in this thread) are not grounded, the round ones (plug in the second picture) are grounded. If your devices don't have the prong for ground, you can get the flat adapter in the first picture.

OK, gotcha.

[BRussell]

Originally Posted by analogika 

Having got shocked more than once pulling a plug out of a US/Japanese socket, I have to disagree about the "PITA" part.

You've been shocked just pulling a plug out of the wall?

Adapters shouldn't be too hard to find in Heidelberg, though - that town is 80% tourists at any given time.

Well that's too bad. Oh well, I guess I can just hang out only with other Americans and eat only McDonalds in my shorts and tennis shoes and ball cap all the time.

[analogika]

You'd be surprised how many do just that!

(Many of the tourists do appear to be Japanese - and increasingly, Chinese - though.)

And yes, if you pull out an American plug, and it's a little tight, you'll tend to slide your finger round the edge a little, at which point the brain-dead non-insulated prongs will arc through the side of your finger if you're unlucky.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by analogika 

And yes, if you pull out an American plug, and it's a little tight, you'll tend to slide your finger round the edge a little, at which point the brain-dead non-insulated prongs will arc through the side of your finger if you're unlucky.

Bizarre state of affairs in a litigious country which essentially invented health and safety?

[analogika]

Indeed.

[peeb]

I've been kind of surprised at how dubious US wiring tends to be. I think the UK 3 pin plugs are MUCH safer, even given their higher voltage.

[BRussell]

Hmm, this is the first I've ever heard of anyone getting a shock from pulling out a plug.

[peeb]

Try it some time - stand barefoot in a bucket of moist soil, and slowly pull out a plug from a wall socket until you have enough space to slip your little finger in the gap between the prongs - then wiggle it back and forth until you make a connection. You should feel a strange sensation.

[Dakarʒ]

Ditto.

[Timo]

Originally Posted by BRussell 

You've been shocked just pulling a plug out of the wall?
Well that's too bad. Oh well, I guess I can just hang out only with other Americans and eat only McDonalds in my shorts and tennis shoes and ball cap all the time.

Of course! What else is there to do in Europe anyway? Pass me a fry.

[Timo]

Originally Posted by analogika 

YAnd yes, if you pull out an American plug, and it's a little tight, you'll tend to slide your finger round the edge a little, at which point the brain-dead non-insulated prongs will arc through the side of your finger if you're unlucky.

I gotta tell ya, in all my years, I have never slid my finger around the edge even a little.

[analogika]

I've only ever had one plug that was so tight that I had to.

The other, I just didn't give it any thought, seeing as all plugs I ever use elsewhere are partially insulated or in recessed sockets.

[Dakarʒ]

You'd make a terrible American

[analogika]

I know - I should have sued.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by TETENAL 

No plug in Germany has 3 prongs.

Technically, you are wrong. There are some with 3.





-t

[analogika]

400 V Ftw!

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by analogika 

400 V Ftw!

Ah, minor detail.

Every good travel converter should be able to handle that

-t

[Doofy]

So, stupid question...

2 pin plugs. No earth? Do y'all like buzzing or what?

[Timo]

Originally Posted by analogika 

I know - I should have sued.

True. You missed a great opportunity to provide for your children while sitting on your ass.

But never fear: potential liability is everywhere!

[voodoo]

As always watch out for Italy.



(you might also find the old Magic sockets there.. oh boy)



V

[Mastrap]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

So, stupid question...

2 pin plugs. No earth? Do y'all like buzzing or what?

Most modern small appliances in the UK aren't earthed. The plastic third prong on the plug is always the giveaway.

True story: When I first moved to the UK appliances came without a plug. You had to buy them seperately and then install them yourself. I was fresh off the boat, purchased a radio, brought it home and tried to return it as faulty because the plug was missing. They explained in the store that this was normal. Wtf? Thankfully things have changed these days.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Mastrap 

Most modern small appliances in the UK aren't earthed. The plastic third prong on the plug is always the giveaway.

Yeah, I know that. What about the stuff which should be earthed?

Originally Posted by Mastrap 

True story: When I first moved to the UK appliances came without a plug. You had to buy them seperately and then install them yourself. I was fresh off the boat, purchased a radio, brought it home and tried to return it as faulty because the plug was missing. They explained in the store that this was normal. Wtf? Thankfully things have changed these days.

[peeb]

Originally Posted by Mastrap 

Most modern small appliances in the UK aren't earthed. The plastic third prong on the plug is always the giveaway.

True story: When I first moved to the UK appliances came without a plug. You had to buy them seperately and then install them yourself. I was fresh off the boat, purchased a radio, brought it home and tried to return it as faulty because the plug was missing. They explained in the store that this was normal. Wtf? Thankfully things have changed these days.

I remember that. That was awful. I have literally no idea why they used to do that.

[ghporter]

Here's a good guide for international travelers. But I'd like to point out that the folks who post here FROM Germany are a better source than anything else. References are never up to date.

A lot of Yanks wind up in Germany for a variety of reasons-and with different requirements. GIs, for example, tend to go either with just a boom box or a whole household. At which end of this spectrum are you?

[BRussell]

Originally Posted by ghporter 

Here's a good guide for international travelers. But I'd like to point out that the folks who post here FROM Germany are a better source than anything else. References are never up to date.

A lot of Yanks wind up in Germany for a variety of reasons-and with different requirements. GIs, for example, tend to go either with just a boom box or a whole household. At which end of this spectrum are you?

I'm moving there to a furnished apartment, and I'll live there with my family for around 6 months. So I don't expect to take a ton of stuff with me, but it's not just a two-week vacation either.

[Dale Sorel]

They have electricity in Europe

[moonmonkey]

Originally Posted by peeb 

I've been kind of surprised at how dubious US wiring tends to be. I think the UK 3 pin plugs are MUCH safer, even given their higher voltage.

They are very safe, they are all fused and earthed and the pins are insulated so you can't accidentally get shocked when removing the plug. Also UK sockets have switches to cut off the power before doing anything.

Lots of other countries use the UK plugs, you really appreciate how well they are designed after living in countries like China and Australia.

[Andy8]

Originally Posted by moonmonkey 

Lots of other countries use the UK plugs, you really appreciate how well they are designed after living in countries like China and Australia.

Exactly

[Powerbook]

Originally Posted by OreoCookie 

In all countries but the UK, this will work.

It works also in the UK. I always used my german plugs directly in UK sockets, it's a bit tight, but it fits.

Regards
PB.