What are the sockets in the UK? English outlet, or how to avoid getting into trouble in England? Where to get an adapter
Even 20 years ago
we could travel almost light. Now our suitcase is filling up
a bunch of electronics that modern people simply cannot do without
tourist. But when going to another country, you need to understand that
always and not everywhere you can find a suitable outlet for connection
your device. Knowledge of accepted electrical standards,
will definitely come in handy when traveling.
So. There are two types of voltage and frequency most often found in the world.
The first is the American standard 100-127 Volt/60 Hertz, together with
plugs A and B. Another standard is European, 220-240 Volt/50 Hertz,
plugs types C - M.
There are many ways to connect to the electrical network, types of plugs and sockets, as well as different voltages and
frequency. All this becomes a serious problem for tourists.
For connecting electrical appliances to networks with unsuitable sockets
format, various adapters and adapters are used. It’s better to buy here in Russia, for example. About socket types and voltage
We will describe the most popular tourist countries below.
IN Russia mains voltage 220 volts, frequency 50 hertz. Socket types C and F (with grounding) are used.
Great Britain (England)
Mains voltage 230 volts, frequency 50 hertz. Sockets type G, less often D.
Greece
Mains voltage 220 volts, frequency 50 hertz. The type of sockets is European standard (type C), less often - type D.
Israel
Mains voltage 230 volts, frequency 50 hertz. Types of sockets C, N.
India
Mains voltage 230 volts, frequency 50 hertz. Type C and D sockets.
Italy
Mains voltage 230 volts, frequency 50 hertz. Most often, European sockets are installed (type C and F, as in Russia),
but an L type socket may also be found.
Egypt
Mains voltage 230 volts, frequency 50 hertz. Types of sockets C (as in Russia), as well as D.
Cuba
Mains voltage 110/220 volts, frequency 60 hertz. Types of sockets A, B, C, L, F. It is better to purchase an adapter on site, everything will depend on what type of socket will be installed in your hotel.
Mexico
Voltage 127 volts, frequency 60 hertz. Socket types A, B.
Voltage 120 volts, frequency 60 hertz. Socket types A, B.
Switzerland
Voltage 230 volts, frequency 50 hertz. Socket types C and J.
Japan
Voltage 100 volts, frequency 50/60 hertz. Socket types A, B.
Türkiye, Tunisia, Finland, France, Spain, Germany- no adapters are required.
Socket types:
When going on a trip abroad, we are unlikely to part with our favorite gadgets, which today can replace us with a road map, guidebooks, telephone directory and even organize our leisure time. However, no matter how many useful gadgets we take with us, they will turn out to be unnecessary luggage without a small, but absolutely necessary in some countries charging adapter.
There are a huge number of ways to connect to the electrical network, a huge number of plugs and sockets, as well as different voltages and frequencies.
So, a little physics.
In the world, only two levels of electrical voltage are used in the household network - European - 220-240 V and American - 100-127 V and two alternating current frequencies - 50 and 60 Hz. Lower voltage and higher frequency are considered less dangerous to human health and life; higher voltage and lower frequency are easier and cheaper to implement technically.
A voltage of 100-127 V at a frequency of 60 Hz is used in USA, countries Northern, Central and, in part, South America, Japan etc.
The rest of the world, with rare exceptions, uses a voltage of 220-240 V with a frequency of 50 Hz.
In order for your electrical appliances to be connected to networks with sockets of the wrong format, and our gadgets to work in any country, adapters and adapters are used.
Let's take a look at what adapters we'll need in the UK and US.
UK socket
In Great Britain mains voltage 230 volts, frequency 50 hertz. Type G sockets are used, less often D and M. Russian electrical appliances require an adapter for all types of English sockets.
IN THE USA voltage 120 volts, frequency 60 hertz. Types of sockets A, B, and you can’t do without an adapter.
US outlet
Adapters can, of course, be purchased upon arrival in the country, but it is better to do this at home in Russia. Firstly, prices for adapters at airports and train stations are quite high. Secondly, if you arrived in the country in the evening, the shops may already be closed, and in a small hotel there may not be adapters at all. From our own experience we can say that, having arrived in England one evening, we were left without communication until the morning and were not even able to call home. The shops were closed, and no one at the hotel could sell us or lend us an adapter. He simply wasn't there. The absence of such a seemingly trifle as an adapter ruined our first day in England.
Since then, the adapter has become a constant companion on all our trips. Our favorite is the universal adapter. You don’t have to think about which adapter to take with you - the universal adapter is suitable for all types of power outlets in all countries of the world.
In this article I would like to collect useful tips that will help you navigate your preparation. What to take with you on a trip to England and what you won't need. If you have anything to add based on your experience, please comment.
Adapter for sockets
First of all, you will need adapter(adapter for sockets). Sockets in the UK are three-pin, grounded. Our plugs don't fit them.
You can buy an adapter in stores like Svyaznoy, but most likely they will offer you a universal (and not cheap) adapter that can be used for almost all types of sockets existing on the globe. Therefore, if you plan to travel a lot, then feel free to purchase it. This adapter often also has a USB connector, which is convenient for charging, for example, an iPhone.
But if your goal is only the UK, it is better to try to find a regular adapter from an English socket to a European plug. It is both cheaper and lighter in weight. If you live in Moscow, then it’s best to go to Gorbushka to buy it.
Important: be sure to check before your trip whether the plugs of all your electrical appliances that you want to take with you on your trip fit into this adapter. Alas, I have personally verified in practice that it is necessary to clarify this in advance.
There is a way on the Internet how to “get by” without an adapter– how to insert “our” plug into “their” socket without an adapter. Its essence boils down to the fact that you must first “spread the protective curtains by inserting a suitable (preferably dielectric) object into the central “earth” hole” (as they write on the forums). We tried it and it didn’t work out. Maybe they didn’t try very hard, since the adapter was available.
And one more little trick. In English hotels in the bathroom, the socket for a razor usually has normal round holes that fit our plug. As a last resort, you can use it (we charged a laptop battery this way).
If you did not purchase an adapter in advance, you can usually get it (for a fee) at the hotel reception. They can be sold in airport stores, in “computer” stores or in souvenir shops from the “everything for tourists” series.
A trip to England - what not to take?
One of the things you definitely shouldn’t take with you is a boiler, the eternal companion of a Russian tourist, especially a family with a child. Good old England is a tea lover, and almost every hotel room has a small electric kettle, tea bags and coffee. We can’t vouch for the presence of a kettle in “cheap” hotels – we haven’t been, we don’t know.
The object traditionally associated with England is the umbrella. Yes, the weather here is changeable, the forecast is given every 3 hours, and even if the morning turned out to be sunny, no one can guarantee that in a couple of hours everything will not be covered in clouds. But you don’t have to take it with you - it’s more convenient to provide waterproof clothing with a hood. And if necessary, you can quickly buy an umbrella on the spot, they are sold everywhere - and you will have this “most English souvenir” as a souvenir of your trip to England.
Don’t take a lot of things with you - it’s better to buy more on the spot. Don't wear high-heeled shoes at all - they're more kitsch, unless you're invited to a social event. Warm, lightweight clothes are a must for the season - it can be chilly.
Things to remember when planning a trip to the UK
We recommend taking a large one with you. suitcase or plan to purchase it in the UK - it’s decent, you can buy a lot of things. And it makes sense to bring tea from England - and it is light, but voluminous and will take up a lot of space.
If you are planning a meeting with a “local native” - a resident of the UK, bring a small souvenir(at least a Russian postcard) - here such signs of attention are very much appreciated.
Cigarettes are expensive in the UK, so smokers better take care of themselves in advance.
For the rest - the list is traditional. Booking confirmations, medications you need, camera. The main thing is credit cards and cash, and you can always buy everything on the spot without any problems.
And finally, let's add. If you are traveling with children, do not forget to write down the child's name, UK address and your telephone number on the sheet. And put this piece of paper in his jacket pocket. Just in case, although we have no doubt that everything will be fine with you!
Even 20 years ago
we could travel almost light. Now our suitcase is filling up
a bunch of electronics that modern people simply cannot do without
tourist. But when going to another country, you need to understand that
always and not everywhere you can find a suitable outlet for connection
your device. Knowledge of accepted electrical standards,
will definitely come in handy when traveling.
So. There are two types of voltage and frequency most often found in the world.
The first is the American standard 100-127 Volt/60 Hertz, together with
plugs A and B. Another standard is European, 220-240 Volt/50 Hertz,
plugs types C - M.
There are many ways to connect to the electrical network, types of plugs and sockets, as well as different voltages and
frequency. All this becomes a serious problem for tourists.
For connecting electrical appliances to networks with unsuitable sockets
format, various adapters and adapters are used. It’s better to buy here in Russia, for example. About socket types and voltage
We will describe the most popular tourist countries below.
IN Russia mains voltage 220 volts, frequency 50 hertz. Socket types C and F (with grounding) are used.
Great Britain (England)
Mains voltage 230 volts, frequency 50 hertz. Sockets type G, less often D.
Greece
Mains voltage 220 volts, frequency 50 hertz. The type of sockets is European standard (type C), less often - type D.
Israel
Mains voltage 230 volts, frequency 50 hertz. Types of sockets C, N.
India
Mains voltage 230 volts, frequency 50 hertz. Type C and D sockets.
Italy
Mains voltage 230 volts, frequency 50 hertz. Most often, European sockets are installed (type C and F, as in Russia),
but an L type socket may also be found.
Egypt
Mains voltage 230 volts, frequency 50 hertz. Types of sockets C (as in Russia), as well as D.
Cuba
Mains voltage 110/220 volts, frequency 60 hertz. Types of sockets A, B, C, L, F. It is better to purchase an adapter on site, everything will depend on what type of socket will be installed in your hotel.
Mexico
Voltage 127 volts, frequency 60 hertz. Socket types A, B.
Voltage 120 volts, frequency 60 hertz. Socket types A, B.
Switzerland
Voltage 230 volts, frequency 50 hertz. Socket types C and J.
Japan
Voltage 100 volts, frequency 50/60 hertz. Socket types A, B.
Türkiye, Tunisia, Finland, France, Spain, Germany- no adapters are required.
Socket types:
When going on a trip abroad, we are unlikely to part with our favorite gadgets, which today can replace us with a road map, guidebooks, telephone directory and even organize our leisure time. However, no matter how many useful gadgets we take with us, they will turn out to be unnecessary luggage without a small, but absolutely necessary in some countries charging adapter.
There are a huge number of ways to connect to the electrical network, a huge number of plugs and sockets, as well as different voltages and frequencies.
So, a little physics.
In the world, only two levels of electrical voltage are used in the household network - European - 220-240 V and American - 100-127 V and two alternating current frequencies - 50 and 60 Hz. Lower voltage and higher frequency are considered less dangerous to human health and life; higher voltage and lower frequency are easier and cheaper to implement technically.
A voltage of 100-127 V at a frequency of 60 Hz is used in USA, countries Northern, Central and, in part, South America, Japan etc.
The rest of the world, with rare exceptions, uses a voltage of 220-240 V with a frequency of 50 Hz.
In order for your electrical appliances to be connected to networks with sockets of the wrong format, and our gadgets to work in any country, adapters and adapters are used.
Let's take a look at what adapters we'll need in the UK and US.
UK socket
In Great Britain mains voltage 230 volts, frequency 50 hertz. Type G sockets are used, less often D and M. Russian electrical appliances require an adapter for all types of English sockets.
IN THE USA voltage 120 volts, frequency 60 hertz. Types of sockets A, B, and you can’t do without an adapter.
US outlet
Adapters can, of course, be purchased upon arrival in the country, but it is better to do this at home in Russia. Firstly, prices for adapters at airports and train stations are quite high. Secondly, if you arrived in the country in the evening, the shops may already be closed, and in a small hotel there may not be adapters at all. From our own experience we can say that, having arrived in England one evening, we were left without communication until the morning and were not even able to call home. The shops were closed, and no one at the hotel could sell us or lend us an adapter. He simply wasn't there. The absence of such a seemingly trifle as an adapter ruined our first day in England.
Since then, the adapter has become a constant companion on all our trips. Our favorite is the universal adapter. You don’t have to think about which adapter to take with you - the universal adapter is suitable for all types of power outlets in all countries of the world.
It’s not easy to charge electrical appliances you bring with you. The sockets in England are different!
Without knowing this little secret it will be very problematic - even if necessary, you won’t be able to charge your mobile phone.
First, a little about sockets in England:
The modern English socket has a three-pin design with a safety valve. And in very ancient buildings you can still find old English sockets. They have two thin and one thick round pins. But this is in Victorian houses and old hotels. It is unlikely that you will get there. Although, if forewarned, then forearmed!
Also, most electrical plugs in England have a fuse built into them. If you bring electrical equipment from England, do not forget to also purchase an adapter from an English to a European socket. If the outlet is Soviet, then you need another adapter :)
By the way, if you are planning to purchase a used one. equipment in England, we recommend reading
Where can I get an adapter?
In our countries, you can usually buy an adapter from a European to an English socket at Duty Free at the airport, order it online, or purchase it at your nearest electrical goods store.
In England, go to any nearest Tesco, Asda, or any other supermarket. Adapters are also sold in Boots pharmacies.
Cheap at just £1, the adapter can be bought from Poundland or 99p.
Also, first ask the hotel staff or the owners of the house where you are going to live. Perhaps they will have a couple of adapters for an English socket.
The adapter from European to English socket is called "European to UK Plug Adapter", or "Travel adapter European to UK".
Be careful - the inquisitive Russian mind! Do not repeat!
Ours have invented a universal Russian adapter here too. ;)
You need to insert a stick into the upper middle hole of the socket (cotton swabs, matches, disposable forks, etc.), then the remaining holes will open and you can push the plug into them!
You should not do this, as you can spend the evening without electricity!