urgent linguistic question

[Monica]

How do you call in English the device that is put to a socket in order to enable to change the English socket into a European one?

(my brother goes to Ireland to a scholarship and he needs to buy one of those :nod: )

Thanks in advance :D

[Scheherazade]

Is this (http://www.cableuniverse.co.uk/catalog/index.php?cPath=125) what you mean?

[Koa]

an adaptor i'd say...

(does ireland have weird sockets like the uk? not too surprising actually but i didnt know...)

[Nightshade]

Your talking an adaptor right do you mean 3 pin to 2 or
Vaultage adaptor?

[Snukes]

Make sure he doesn't also need a CONVERTER. That would be different than an OUTLET ADAPTER. The adapter only makes the plug fit into a different kind of socket. If the power output is different (220 vs. 110, usually) you may need a converter. Depends on what kind of object he plans to plug in...

[Nightshade]

yeah I ment a convertor 220 to 110 or is it the other way round...

[kilted exile]

Those converters you can buy are ok for some pieces of electronic equipment (hairdryer etc), however for sensitive/ expensive equipment (such as a laptop) I would be careful using one for an extended period of time due to the changes in current. Also warranty on them is usually rubbish.

[Koa]

oh dear so if i ever move to the uk i can't use this same plug and my adaptor for my laptop??? :(

[Snukes]

Nightshade - converters usually go both ways.

As for laptops - the adapter that comes with your computer (the cord you use to plug it into the wall, for the less fancy term ;)) almost always is equipped to handle 220 OR 110. In that case, all you need is an outlet adapter.

If you want to know, you should look at the part of your adapter/cords/plugs that has information from the company. It should say somewhere on there "100-240V," which is what it can handle. Europe is 220V. This information should be on all electrical appliances, so you can check if you need a converter or not.

But kilted exile is also right - make sure you read converter instructions REALLY carefully, or you could ruin your appliances.

Signed, Been There Done That ;)

[Jay]

I think the voltage thing has changed here (as in CZE), it USED to be 220V, now it went higher, 230 or 240V... I think so don't quote me anywhere.

[Jack_Aubrey]

an adaptor i'd say...

(does ireland have weird sockets like the uk? not too surprising actually but i didnt know...)
That's right. That's what I was going to say. Great minds think alike I guess.

[Monica]

Thanks guys. That's exactly what I was thinking about. And yeah, he takes his laptop, too (I'm using it at the moment :D). And it says that it handles 100V - 240V :nod: so I hope everything will be all right. Thanks once again, I don't know what I would do without you ;)

[Snukes]

I guess you'd have to find some Real Live Loons to ask. :D

[quasimodo1]

Most of Europe uses 220 volts while we use 110volts. An adaptor is needed, I think a type of transformer that will reduce the voltage for US products/appliances. Probably better to buy one over there; could be a security issue at airport. RJS

[Niamh]

It is an adaptor. (sell them in the shops i wotk in;) )