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Travel Adaptors & Plug Adaptors

Travel adaptors and plug adaptors let a plug fit a socket it was not made for. This page covers adaptors for using UK plugs abroad, such as the 429.905UK for European Schuko sockets and the 429.787UK for USA sockets, converter plugs that fit Euro plugs to UK mains, Schuko and world-to-UK adaptors, multi-way and shaver adaptors for UK sockets, and an IEC C14 to C7 adaptor.

Choosing Travel Adaptors & Plug Adaptors

Start with the direction: a UK plug into a foreign socket, or a foreign plug into a UK socket.

Taking UK plugs abroad

The 429.905UK lets an item with a standard UK 3 pin plug be used in a European Schuko socket; it is rated 10A and 2300W maximum and conforms to BS8546:2016. The 429.910UK adds twin USB ports sharing 2400mA, and the 429.911UK adds one USB A and one USB C port with PD charging. For the USA, the 429.787UK is rated 10A and 1100W and weighs 25g; it is a socket adaptor only, so check that the device works on the local USA voltage.

Foreign plugs in UK sockets

Converter plugs fit a Euro plug to UK mains and carry their own fuse. The 429.806UK and 429.810UK are fused at 3A. The 429.821UK and 429.822UK are hinged and fused at 5A and conform to BS5733, BS1363-5 and BSEN50075, and the 5A 429.823UK has an anti-tamper screw. The 429.814UK is a 13A fused plug for non-earthed Euro plugs, while the 429.941UK SCP3 converts earthed Euro plugs. Among the travel adaptors, the 429.829UK takes a European Schuko plug and the 429.832UK accepts plugs from Germany, France, Italy, the USA, Australia, New Zealand and China; both are fused at 13A, though the 429.832UK does not earth with side contact earth plugs.

Multi-way, shaver and IEC adaptors

For UK sockets, the Knightsbridge 1375 gives three extra sockets from one wall socket, is rated 13A with a replaceable 13A fuse, is certified to BS 1363 and is sold in packs of 10. The Mercury 429.817UK is an unfused 2-way adaptor conforming to BS1363/3, and the 429.824UK shaver adaptor lets an electric shaver run from a UK mains outlet, with a 1A fuse. The 776.248UK connects a figure 8 device to an IEC lead, C14 to C7, rated 250Vac and 10A.

AdaptorUseRating
429.905UKUK plug in a European Schuko socket10A, 2300W
429.787UKUK plug in a USA socket10A, 1100W
429.806UKEuro 2 pin plug in a UK socketFused 3A
429.821UKEuro 2 pin plug in a UK socket, hingedFused 5A
429.829UKSchuko plug in a UK socketFused 13A
429.832UKPlugs from several countries in a UK socketFused 13A
429.824UKShaver in a UK socket1A fuse

Related categories

Browse extension leads and cable reels, plug sockets, USB sockets and wiring accessories.

Brands we stock in Travel Adaptors & Plug Adaptors

Knightsbridge and Mercury.

Frequently asked questions

Which adaptor lets me use a UK plug in Europe?

A UK to Europe travel adaptor lets an item with a UK 3 pin plug be used in a European Schuko socket. The Mercury 429.905UK is rated 10A and 2300W and conforms to BS8546:2016. For charging phones and tablets too, the 429.910UK adds twin USB ports sharing 2400mA, and the 429.911UK adds USB A and USB C ports with PD fast charging.

How do I use a 2 pin European plug in a UK socket?

Fit a converter plug, which takes the 2 pin Euro plug and presents a UK 3 pin plug with its own fuse. Choose the fuse for the appliance: the 429.806UK and 429.810UK are fused at 3A, the 429.821UK, 429.822UK and 429.823UK at 5A, and the 429.814UK at 13A. For a Schuko plug, the 429.829UK is fused at 13A.

Does the UK to USA travel adaptor change the voltage?

No, a travel socket adaptor lets a UK plug fit a USA socket but leaves the supply voltage unchanged, so the device must suit the local voltage. The Mercury 429.787UK lets devices with UK mains plugs connect to USA sockets and is rated for a maximum of 10A and 1100W. It weighs 25g and complies with safety standard 8546:2016.

What does a shaver adaptor do?

A shaver adaptor is a mains adaptor that lets an electric shaver be used from a UK mains outlet. The Mercury 429.824UK is fitted with a 1A fuse to BS646 and conforms to BS1363/3. For other appliances, the Knightsbridge 1375 gives three extra sockets from one wall socket with a 13A fuse, and the 429.817UK is an unfused 2-way adaptor.

Can a travel adaptor USB port charge a phone?

Yes, a travel adaptor with USB ports can charge smartphones, tablets and other portable USB devices as well as taking a mains plug. The Mercury 429.910UK is a UK to Europe adaptor with twin USB ports sharing a maximum charging current of 2400mA. The 429.911UK takes a UK plug into a European socket and adds a USB A port and a USB C port with PD fast charging.

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
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Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

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