As I mentioned in another thread, I have a friend who will be going on a yearlong round-the-world journey this summer, and I'm helping her prepare for it. In this effort, she's asked me to help her figure out what she needs in terms of voltage adapters for the various countries she'll be in.

Does anyone know of a comprehensive website where we can view the electrical standards (as relevant to travelers) in different countries, and possibly where we can purchase the appropriate adapters?

Or, I could just post a list of the countries she'll visit and maybe one of you will know from experience...?

Thanks a bunch!!

Try the Voltage Valet site.
(I'm pretty sure there's some electrical info on SlowTrav, too. )

Thanks Colleen, that site is perfect!!

Now, do you know if these adapters are available at regular hardware stores, or travel-related stores, or...? I see that the site you referred actually sells them, but can I get them anywhere else?


EDIT:
Wait, it just occurred to me... Did I just pull a complete newbie move by asking this question? Haha! Sorry, let me poke around ST a bit...

Ryan, glad to see you have your picture up now! 47? Don't think so. Places like Fry's have just about all the various kinds of adapters and converters. Radio Shack usually has a good supply but cost more there.

I have a one-piece gizmo from American Tourister, that has 4 settings: for No./So. America, UK, Europe, and Australia/NZ. I think I bought it in some place like the infamous Wal-Mart. It was in the area where they sell suitacses, which has other travel-related items, and as I recall it was a very reasonable price compared to others I've seen.

I previously had an adapter that had severl different attacments for differnt areas, but it was kind of heavy, and I always worried that I'd lose a part. The one I have now is a solid block about 3 x 1.5 x 1 inch, and the various plugs either are pushed out or lie flat and swivel out. The side where you plug in your item has a universal design so it can receive the prongs of different country's devices.

I was searching for it on-line just now so I could post a picture, but haven't had any luck.

Ryan, check out our page on Bringing Electronics to Europe where I talk about European issues, but also link to the products on Amazon.

Your friend will probably not need a voltage adaptor - just plug adaptors.

Thanks for all the help, everyone. I realized some time after I posted the question that my friend would probably end up needing plug adapters as opposed to voltage ones. But I'm still looking into what she'll be taking with her and what she'll need to plug in.

Pauline, I did see that article and it helped quite a bit. It also referenced two websites that I've been looking at for this research as well. Thanks again!

I have put together some information about electrical plug adapters, power strips and voltage converters mainly for Italy but the infomation can be used world-wide on my blog, Moving2Italy2. The blog entry is titled, Info about electrical plug adapters, power strips and voltage converters for Italy.

Another resource is Steve Kropla's Help for World Travelers web site. Here are some sections that may be of interest for your friend:

• World Electric Guide
• World Wide Phone Guide
• World Mobile Phone Guide

If your friend uses dual voltage adapters, the biggest problem that she will encounter is to have the right plug adapter (electrical or phone) for the country she is currently visiting. Also, she should be aware of potential problems with digital phone systems and analog ones.

That's it for now.