Info about electrical plug adapters, power strips and voltage converters for Italy

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 7 April 2009)

Here are some links about electrical plug adapters, power strips, surge protectors and voltage converters (transformers) for Italy:

ELECTRICAL PLUG ADAPTERS

• ADAPTERS & CONVERTERS – Source: Changes In Latitude Travel Store – "For Those With A Passion For Travel!"
  
• APC Universal Plug Adapter – In Italian Only – Source: APC - Country Selection Page
  
• International Plug Adapters – List price shown in Euros
• International Electric Plug Adaptors & Voltages For The World's Countries – "Know the Plug Adapters & Voltages Before You Go" – Source: EscapeArtist.com
  
• Diagrams of Adapter Plugs
  
• ITALY PLUG ADAPTERS WA-9, WA-12A, #1, & #6 – Source: The International Electrical Supplies Store
• Plug Adapter Country Chart – Source: Wonpro / EuroPlugs
• Plug Adapters & Phone Jacks – Source: Voltage Converter Transformers
• Universal Plug Adapter for Italy – Source: Bargain Offers

POWER STRIPS

• Powerstrips – Source: Quail Electronics – "is a world leader in domestic and international power cord supplies for the OEM market. Our power cords, cord sets, adapters and power strips are in use across every industry and are available from stock items or as a custom-made product."
  
• Universal Power Strips – Source: Wonpro / EuroPlugs
• Detachable Power Cords – country specific and sold separate from the above mentioned Universal Power Strip
  

SURGE PROTECTORS

• 220 Volt Surge Protectors – Source: Walkabout Travel Gear LLC ® – "Essential Travel Gear and Information for the Independent Traveler"
• SurgeArrest® Home/Office – "Reliable surge protection for home or office computers and electronic equipment" – Mixed English and Italian – List prices shown in Euros – Source: APC - Country Selection Page
• Surge Protector – "220V - 240V, 240 volt and 220 volt 1, 5 to 6 outlets dual voltage SHUKO and British surge protector for Europe countries. Universal power strip for travel export use, UPS systems for Computer." – Source: East West International
  

VOLTAGE CONVERTERS/TRANSFORMERS

• How To Choose A Transformer! – Source: The International Electrical Supplies Store
  
• Light Duty Voltage Converters – Source: Voltage Converter Transformers
• Power Bright International Power Converters & Step up / Step down Transformers – Source: Family on Board – "The Family Travel Gear Specialists"
• VoltageConverters.com

ELECTRICITY IN ITALY AND EUROPE

• Electricity in Europe – "Travel Voltage Fundamentals" – Source: Enjoy-Europe.com by John Bermont
• Electricity in Italy – Source: Planning section of Summer In Italy
• Electricity and Home Appliances in Italy – Source: AngloINFO Rome – "Life in Rome, in English!"
• WORLD ELECTRIC GUIDE – Please scroll down to "Italy" – Source: Steve Kropla's Help for World Travelers!
• World Electric Power Guide – Please scroll down to "Italy" – Source: EscapeArtist.com
  

GLOSSARY/DEFINITION OF TERMS

• Glossary of Terms – Source: Quail Electronics

COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS

• FORUM/DISCUSSION
• Source: Travel Technology Forum within FlyerTalk Forums of FlyerTalk
  
• Moving US electrical devices (110v/60Hz) to a 230V/50Hz country
  

INFORMATION

• ASK DR. ELECTRICITY! – Source: Walkabout Travel Gear LLC ® – "Essential Travel Gear and Information for the Independent Traveler"
• SOLVING THE RIDDLE OF INTERNATIONAL ELECTRICITY (Non-Grounded Adapter Plugs)
• 220 Volt Surge Protectors
  
• ELECTRICAL MATTERS – Source: TravelProducts.com – "Products for Travelers and the Mobile Lifestyle"
  
• "Converters," "Transformers," "Plug Adapters" - What's the difference?
• "So, what should I take?"
• "Should I take a surge protector? "
  
• "What do I need for my computer for use in 220-volt regions?"
  
• European Electricity and the Connected Tourist – "European power, power converters, plugs and more - What you need to know about plugging in when you travel Europe." – Source: About.com
• Electricity in Europe - What the European Traveler Should Know
  
• Voltage, Frequency and Plug/Outlet Type in Italy – In English, French, German, Japanese, Chinese – Source: Treehouse Cityguide
  
• Voltage Specifications by Country – Please scroll down to "Italy" – Source: Current Solutions, Inc. – "Your OEM Power Source Allies"
• Why do I need an electrical adapter when I travel overseas? – From HowStuffWorks, Inc.

MISCELLANEOUS

• 110/220 Volts Appliances, Electronics & Unlocked GSM Cell Phones – Source: Overseas Electronics
• Bringing your Electronics to Europe – Pauline Kenny, March 2005, updated March 2006 – Source: slow travel italy
• SEE ALSO:
• Info on DIY (do it yourself) - Home Depot/Lowe's type - Stores in Italy , dated Friday, October 06, 2006
• Info on Packing Light and Traveling Light for Your International Trip or to Italy, datedTuesday, April 18, 2006
• Info about Checklists for Moving or Relocating to Italy *, dated Friday, April 7, 2006
• Info on Living in Italy *, dated Sunday, November 13, 2005

* = Blog entry has been updated.

The above links are current. If anyone has any suggestions for other sites, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update this blog entry. For your specific interest, please search the web for further information using .

Please note: I do NOT represent or endorse any of these links nor do I receive payment for listing them in my blog.

Please note: If you want me to reply to your comment or request for further information by email, please include your email address in a separate comment. I will NOT publish any comments with an email address in it.

Updated 21 May 2007: Recently, I have read on some travel web sites about which electrical plug adapters to buy for use in Italy: 2 prong or 3 prong? Please be aware that you can only use the 3 prong electrical plug adapter for Italy in an electrical outlet that has an 3 prong FEMALE power outlet receptacle. Whereas, the 2 prong electrical plug adapter can be used in an electrical outlet that has a 3 prong FEMALE power outlet receptacle and in other European countries. Remember: an international electrical plug adapter does not convert electricity! It just connects your USA 2/3 prong plug to the electrical plug configuration used in Italy. One more item to be aware of concerning the USA electrical plug. Many international electrical plug adapters only accept a 2 USA prong (Male) electrical plug UNLESS you buy an electrical plug adapter with a 3 prong (FEMALE) receptacle on it. This may be confusing to some folks and I suggest posting a message and I'll reply to it. ### – End 21 May 2007 update.

There are two schools of thought about bring your USA 110v appliances to Italy and Europe. The first school of thought is to leave them and buy new 220v appliances. The second is bring it all and run these appliance off of voltage converters (read transformers).

If you can afford it and you are planning to be in Italy or Europe for at least 2 years or more than go this first route. Also if this is a corporate or company sponsored move, there may be an allowance to buy new 220v appliances to replace your 110v appliances. A few years ago when I was transferred to Germany, part of my relocation package included a replacement appliance allowance and I was given a 220v clothes washer and dryer for my apartment for the duration of my assignment in Germany.

In the States, to protect my electronics and computer equipment, I have a UPS and several surge protected power strips. I use a UPS for my printer, laptop and desktop PC. In addition, I have a power strip connected to the UPS with my cable modem, 10/100 ethernet switch, cordless phone, a stand-alone CD burner and an external 160 GB disk drive. I have separate surge protected power strips for my stereo equipment, TVs and VCRs, refrigerator and various A/C adapters for cell phones, etc. When I move to Italy in September, 2007, I plan on having a similar setup. Buying a 220v UPS's and surged protected power strips are a small price to pay to protect my laptop and other associated electronics.

It should be noted that power strips come in 2 flavors: surged protected and non-surged protected (inexpensive). Whenever I use a non-surged protected power strip, I usually connect it to a UPS. An alternate approach would be a non-surged protected power strip connected to a surge protector plugged into the power outlet in the room. Please note: a non-surged protected power strip offers NO protection to whatever is plugged into it! If you value your electronic component whatever it is, ALWAYS plug it into a surged protected power strip or a surge protector or a UPS or some combination of these devices.

While I have listed certain companies that offer 220v products to world travelers, it has been my experience that their prices are usually higher than if you comparison shop among other vendors. However, if the time is short before your trip or overseas relocation, you may not have sufficient time for this option. For instance, I have seen an electrical plug adapter for use in France, Germany or Italy as low as .75 cents and as high as $8.00 each in the States. It gets no better in Europe or Italy. If you forgot to pack or buy an electrical plug adapter for your laptop power adapter, cell phone battery charger, etc., you'll pay the going price wherever you are. Remember whether you have a 2 prong plug or a grounded 3 prong plug and buy the right electrical plug adapter for your device.

Also remember the exchange rate as of this date is $1.34 for 1 Euro! If you can buy it here in the States before you depart, do it today and save.

That's it for Tuesday, 10 April 2007: martedì, 10 aprile 2007.

Ciao, Ben

Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s quote is an Italian proverb, author unknown.

"Ambasciator non porta pena."
"Don't shoot the messenger."

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(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 7 April 2009)