Special adapter? Converter?
We have our normal converters, but I am reading we need a special converter for our hotels in Switzerland. Is this correct? Anyrecommend recommendations?
0
We have our normal converters, but I am reading we need a special converter for our hotels in Switzerland. Is this correct? Anyrecommend recommendations?
Comments
Per Swiss tourism "The voltage in Switzerland, as in most of Europe, is 230V/50 Hz. Switzerland uses type C (2-pin) and Type J (3-pin) plugs. (Type C 2-pin plugs also fit J sockets.) Most power sockets are designed for three pin round plugs."
My European adapters worked just fine. The 3 pin (J) is a grounded plug. The outlets are recessed (photo below) so the shape of the housing around the pins matters. As long as your C adapter has the sort of elongated hexagon shape it will fit.
I used both the European and the Type J adapters during this tour.
To be clear, an adapter is not the same as a converter. You just need an adapter, phones, cameras and iPads and computers automatically convert from 120.
Actually, all of those devices that British mentioned can operate from 100 volts to about 250 volts. There's no conversion, they work on those voltages.
Japan's standard voltage is 100 volts, the US is 120 volts and most of the rest of the world is 230 volts. Many devices these days can operate on any of those voltages without any action on your part.
The problem for travelers is all the different configurations of plugs and outlets, not voltages with modern devices.
In my mind, an adapter is what you use to put your US plug into so it will fit into a socket in another country, it doesn’t matter what the voltages are these days, because as you say, high tech electronics like iPhones and laptops will convert automatically. Not so with hairdryers or hair curlers or irons.
That is true of small electronics. It may NOT be true for devices with motors or heating elements. Read the label on the device carefully.
"heating elements" You don't want to let the smoke out of a 120V hairdryer or curling iron by plugging it into a 230V outlet
