Is there a specific kind of Electrical Adapter (for my hair dryer) I should have for France?? My dh says he has one but I'm a bit worried that he has the wrong kind, if there is such a thing. TIA!

Click here--Bringing Your Appliances to Europe

Thanks!
Are there places I can buy these items locally?? We're leaving next week!

Hi,

Shouldn't be a problem buying them locally. Try a hardware or elctronics store.

Your hairdryer may already be dual current--check to see if there is a place to switch it to 220-240 (mine is). If so, you will just need a plug adapter and not a converter.

No dice. Just checked and there's no switch

Mama Z, You can get the adapter at Radio Shack..its a small kit with 4 or 5 different plugs. Thats what I use when I go home to Switzerland. Works great!

Sue

Mama Z -

Another place to try is your local Target store - you'd be surprised what you'll find there. Look in the luggage/travel section ...

I bought my luggage there (Eddie Bauer), and not only was it a great price, but very sturdy and well-organized.

You're gonna have a great trip!

Terry

Are you talking about an adapter or a converter? An adaptor will not change the voltage. So be sure you are talking about the right thing and getting the right item--or you will blow the dryer.

We just replaced a converter at our local Radio Shack. And do make sure you don't just use the adaptor. I accidentally blew up a much-needed baby monitor in France.

Ok, I'm a bit confused. My husband says he has something that has the plug (I guess it's three pronged, right?). What else do we need. I definitely don't want to make my hair dryer explode!
Thanks for the help!

You are talking about the adaptor that changes our No. American plug to the UK plug. But you also need a converter to convert the electricity.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Fancy:
You are talking about the adaptor that changes our No. American plug to the UK plug.

Oops - I meant European/continental plug. I forgot which forum I was on.

Mama Z
For a little bit more than the cost of getting a converter and an adapter you can probably buy a travel hairdryer which has the dual voltage and the adapter.
Just a thought.

Thanks Fancy!
Henry, where would I find a hair dryer like that?

I had bought one for my daughter from Sharper Image. I am sure they are not the only ones. Some fancy luggage stores might carry them as well. Maybe places like Target, Macy's etc. might carry them.
Best thing is to do a google search maybe under "international travel hairdryers"

All sorts of electrical appliances are dual voltage including most battery chargers,there is no switch its automatic.Check on the cord or on the dryer itself it should be printed somewhere.RR

quote:

All sorts of electrical appliances are dual voltage including most battery chargers,there is no switch its automatic.Check on the cord or on the dryer itself it should be printed somewhere.RR

That is absolutely true of most electronics such as computers,cameras, etc. But for things like hairdryers that is less true. Most of the hairdryers except for those mentioned above that are specifically for travel to places with other than 110 either have a manual switch or are just plain 110.

MamaZ: To summarize
1.) adapters: the plug with prongs that will fit Italy outlets. You will put this on your appliance plug.This will be for any US electrical device you take--shavers, computers, chargers, whatever.
2.) The attachment you will insert in the wall outlet which will step down the voltage so that your appliance doesn't get a jolt of 240 current and then die.

If you use the converter, you will then insert the adapter into the converter.

Hope this makes some type of sense.

Rather than go through all the fuss worrying about the adaptors and such, if I'm going to be somewhere for a significant amount of time (say over 1 week), I just leave my hairdryer behind and buy one at the store when I get there. I mean, it's not like Europe is in the dark ages, right? When I traveled to London I popped into an electronics store the second day and picked up a hairdryer for about 7 bucks. That's a lot cheaper than an adaptor kit or a fancy hairdryer that may/may not work.

Also, hairdryers take up a lot of room in your suitcase, and it's easier not to have to haul it.

Oh man...did the guy at Radio Shack give me the wrong thing??
It says 1600-Watt Foreign Travel Voltage Converter - Converts 220/240VAC foreign electricity to standard U.S. 110/120VAC.

MamaZ -

Another thought you might want to try...before I left for my recent trip to France, I emailed the owners of the apartment in Paris and the apartment in Provence where I was staying, and asked them if they provided blow dryers. And to my surprise, they did. It really saved me a lot of room in my luggage, and a lot of aggravation.

Terry

quote:

t says 1600-Watt Foreign Travel Voltage Converter - Converts 220/240VAC foreign electricity to standard U.S. 110/120VAC.

Mamaz--unless I am misunderstanding you, you got what you need--if your appliance is only 110

Thanks everyone. I think we're just going to buy a hairdryer when we get to Paris.

Mama Z,

I just bought a hairdryer when I was in Paris. For some reason, it took me a long time to find a store with hairdryers! Just in case you have the same problem, I finally found one for 14 Euros at the HGV store (Metro Hotel de Ville).

Christine

quote:

Originally posted by Mama Z:
Oh man...did the guy at Radio Shack give me the wrong thing??
It says 1600-Watt Foreign Travel Voltage Converter - Converts 220/240VAC foreign electricity to standard U.S. 110/120VAC.

You have the right thing - all you need is the adapter. Alternatively, you can e-mail the places you are staying and ask if they have hairdryers. Most places I have stayed, hotels, b&b and vacation rentals in France and Italy have hairdryers.

I brought this back up to ask a quick question...

If we buy a hair dryer in Italy, will the same configuration (plug, current, etc.) work in France?

Thanks,
Jennifer

I have so little hair I just have to walk fast through the room to dry it. Sort of looks like it too.