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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

How do I use a US plug in a UK socket?

Use a travel adaptor that accepts a US flat-pin plug and fits a UK socket, ideally with its own fuse. The adaptor changes the plug shape but not the voltage, so check the device or its charger accepts UK mains, as some American appliances do not. The range here includes a fused adaptor that takes plugs from the USA and several other countries.

What travel adaptor do I need for America?

You need an adaptor that takes a UK plug and fits the flat-pin sockets used in the USA. It does not change the voltage, which is lower in America, so check that your device or charger is dual-voltage before you plug it in. Many phone and laptop chargers are, while some heaters and hair dryers are not. The range here includes a UK to USA socket adaptor.

What travel adaptor do I need for Europe?

Much of mainland Europe uses round two-pin sockets, so you need an adaptor that takes a UK plug and has round European pins, often called a Schuko adaptor. A few countries, such as Italy and Switzerland, also use their own socket types, so check before you travel. Some adaptors add USB ports for phones. The range here includes UK to Europe adaptors with and without USB.

What travel adaptor do I need for Egypt?

Egypt uses round two-pin European sockets, Type C and Type F, so a UK to Europe travel adaptor usually fits. The adaptor does not change the voltage, but the Egyptian supply is close to the UK's, so UK chargers and small appliances can typically be used. The range here includes UK to Europe Schuko adaptors, some with USB ports.

  • Established 1975
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Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

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