Heavy duty travel adaptors (worldwide plug options)

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  • Regular price £14.99


Standard travel adaptors are only suitable for temporary low current applications, and often dangerously do not connect the earth pin. In contrast, these heavy duty adaptors are made in our UK workshop for high current permanent applications.

They enable appliances with a standard UK 13A plug to be connected to sockets across the world. Particularly popular for commercial and industrial applications, orders have ranged from 300x adaptors to connect heaters in a hospital in Ethiopia, to 100x to enable aid donations to be used in Ukraine. Also particularly popular for people emigrating from the UK who are taking large white goods (e.g. a washing machine) with them.

Typical Application

The picture below illustrates a typical application; an electric drill with a UK plug can be connected to both a French (top) or Schuko (bottom) socket using the European Schuko/French universal adaptor. If the adaptor will be used outside, our weatherproof range would be more suited.

Choosing the Correct Adaptor

The Schuko/French universal adaptor pictured in the example has a CEE7/7 plug, which means that it is compatible with both the French (grey on the map) and German (light blue) sockets. It can be used in Albania, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy (modern installations only), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and Ukraine.

The adaptor is available with a range of other plugs for countries on the map which are not coloured light blue or grey. If you are not sure which adaptor you require, we're always happy to advise.

Schuko

French

Universal Schuko/French Adaptor (Type E & F)

The universal CEE 7/7 adaptor fits both Schuko and French types sockets and is the main adaptor required for the majority of Europe and Scandinavia. Rated at 230v 16A.

Traditional Italian Socket

New Bipasso Socket

Italian Adaptors 10A and 16A (Type L)

Historically Italy has had its own specific socket, available in 10A and 16A versions. However, many buildings now have the Bipasso/Schuko socket, which can be used with both Italian and Schuko plugs.

The universal Schuko/French adaptor will therefore work anywhere in Italy where the Bipasso/Schuko socket is available. However the challenge may be in older buildings, where only traditional Italian sockets are provided. 

Whilst many sockets in Italy will accept both 10A and 16A plugs, some will only accept one type, so for complete peace of mind both adaptors would be required. 

Found in Chile, Eritrea, Italy, Libya, Maldives, San Marino, Syrian Arab Republic and Uruguay.

Swiss Adaptor (Type J)

Switzerland and Liechtenstein use their own specific socket, available in 10A and 16A versions. 10A plugs can be inserted into 16A sockets, but the reverse is not possible. 

For complete peace of mind both adaptors would be required. Alternatively just the 10A version could be used it the load is under 10A.

Found in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Maldives and Rwanda.

Danish Adaptor (Type K)

Denmark and Greenland use their own 16A socket. Whilst the socket looks similar to a Schuko/French socket, they must not be used together. Although they will fit, the earth will not be connected, which can be extremely hazardous.

From 2008 French sockets were allowed to be fitted in Denmark, with Schuko sockets supported from 2011. The universal Schuko/French adaptor will therefore work in Denmark where either of these sockets are fitted. Data on their prevalence is not available, and so it is likely that in many places a Danish adaptor will still be required.

Found in Bangladesh, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Guinea, Madagascar, Maldives, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Senegal.

 

Indian Adaptor 5A/6A Round pin (Type D)

The 230v 5A/6A round pin plug is based on the original BS546 design. It is easy to confuse with the larger 15A variant (type M). If in any doubt, measure the distance between the bottom two pins, which will be 19mm.

Found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Chad, Congo (Democratic Rep. of), Dominica, French Guiana, Ghana, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Macau, Madagascar, Maldives, Martinique, Monaco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom (for lamps only), Yemen and Zambia Zimbabwe.

Israel Adaptor (Type H)

Used exclusively in Israel and the West Bank. Rated at 230v 16A.

Australia and New Zealand Adaptor (Type I)

Rated at 230v 10A. A larger 15A type is still sometimes found in Australia, which is compatible with the 10A plug.

Found in American Samoa, Argentina, Australia, China, Cook Islands, Ethiopia, Fiji Kiribati, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Vanuatu.

South African Adaptor (Type M)

The 230v 15A/16A round pin plug is based on the original BS546 design. It is easy to confuse with the smaller 5A variant (type D). If in any doubt, measure the distance between the bottom two pins, which will be 25.2mm.

Found in Bhutan, Botswana, India, Israel, Kuwait, Lesotho, Macau, Malaysia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland and the UK (for stage lighting only).

230v 16A Blue Sockets (IEC 60309)

Enables connection to the blue 16A sockets which are found at campsites and marinas across Europe. 

230v 32A Blue Sockets (IEC 60309)

Heavy duty travel adaptors are not suitable for 32A use. See our weatherproof generator adaptors.

415v 16A Red Sockets (IEC 60309)

Enables connection to these sockets, which are commonly used in industrial locations and power installations at temporary sites.

415v 32A Red Sockets (IEC 60309)

Heavy duty travel adaptors are not suitable for 32A use. See our weatherproof generator adaptors.

 

The Electrical Safety First website provides a fantastic resource to check the type of sockets used in any county worldwide. For more technical information, the Digital Museum of Plugs and Sockets provides a fascinating resource.

If you require an adaptor which is not listed, please do get in touch, as we can make adaptors for almost any international socket, many from stock.

Specification:

  • Tough single Permaplug trailing single 13A socket.
  • 0.3m of the largest diameter cable which will safely fit the specific plug: 
    • 1.5mmsq - Schuko/French adaptor (16A), Danish adaptor (16A), Italian adaptor (16A), Swiss adaptor (16A), Israel adaptor (16A), South African adaptor, IEC 230v (16A), IEC 415v (16A).
    • 1mmsq - Australian (10A) adaptor, Italian adaptor (10A), Swiss adaptor (10A), India adaptor (5A).
  • The maximum total current of appliances connected to the socket must not exceed either 13A or the rating of the plug (e.g. 10A for the Italian 1A plug), whichever is lowest.
  • Industrial specification H07RN-F rubber cable, specifically manufactured for harsh environments with high mechanical, chemical, water and UV resistance. Flexibility and performance is retained over a wide temperature range (-25 to 55°C). Find out what’s so special about this cable
  • PAT tested.