Step 4: What Kind of Plug Adapter / Travel Adapter Do I Need?

Let’s get that dual voltage device up and running, shall we?

Now, is your device grounded or ungrounded? Find out by looking at the device’s plug. Is it two or three-pronged? Two pronged, or two-pinned, devices are ungrounded, or “unearthed.” But because a three-pronged plug includes what is referred to as a grounding pin, or an earth pin, these plugs are grounded, or earthed - depending on what country you’re in.

When shopping around for a travel plug adapter, it’s important to know these terms to ensure you’re buying a grounded plug adapter that will fit into a grounded wall outlet. Wall outlets differ from country to country so make sure you’re purchasing the correct “type” of travel adapter. There are 13 types that utilize plugs with varying shapes, including flat blade, flat blade with a grounding (or “earth”) pin, round pins with a grounding pin, a Shuko plug (common in Germany), and rectangular blade plug.

See the easy-to-understand chart below to help you differentiate between the varying plug types belonging to different regions.

If you’re traveling to more than one country, your best bet is a universal plug adapter you can use anywhere with both grounded and ungrounded plugs, in both grounded and ungrounded outlets.

Remember also that travel adapters do not convert electricity. Instead, they simply help fit plugs into a foreign power outlet.

***  IMPORTANT - WHEN SELECTING A CONVERTER WE SUGGEST THAT YOU BUY ONE WITH 3 TIMES THE WATTAGE OF THE PRODUCT YOU ARE CONVERTING ***