Converters and Adapters for Electronics

Every year, students are a little anxious about their computers, hairdryers, curling/straightening irons, and other electronics. Here’s what you need to know about your electronics to make sure, as much as possible, you don’t have any issues.

Adapters

Most of your electronics will only need an adapter so that your U.S. two- or three-pronged plug will fit into the wall outlets in the U.K. Adapters are fairly cheap and you can get some before you go from Target, Walmart, or Amazon — or you can wait until we get to the U.K. These are in every corner shop. Your computers all have power cords with “blocks” on them, which while annoying to pack in your backpack is great because that regulate the current and means all you need for them while in the U.K. is an adapter. Likewise, you can usually charge your phones, tablets, e-readers, etc by plugging them into the USB port on your computer. That simplifies things dramatically. Similarly, if you have any sort of medical equipment or other electronics that has a currency modulator as part of the cable, you’re probably safe to use an adapter.

If you’re planning on going to France, Spain, Italy, Germany, or anywhere on “the continent,” then you might want to get an adapter that works across environments like this one: Universal Travel Adapter.

Converters

Converters may be needed, however, if you bring hair dryers or curling irons or straightening irons. Those types of electronics typically do not have a currency regulator on them and plug right into the wall, but since the U.K. runs on a different voltage, that means possibly blowing up your hair dryers and various irons. For those, a converter is necessary. These are more expensive because they do more work than adapters. (for more about the differences, REI offers a nice explanation of the different kinds.)

You might also talk to the folks who will be your roommates about purchasing a hairdryer while in London. They aren’t all that expensive and at least then, you know that it will work and not blow up.

Other Electronics

It’s hard for us faculty to predict what you may need in London when it comes to electronics, but if you have particular needs, please let us know in advance and we’ll do what we can to make recommendations. This is especially important if any of your electronics are medical in nature; we want to make sure you don’t get to London and have any problems there.