An Electrical Guide for Germany and Europe: Plug Adapters, 230 volts and All That

Travel and Tourism > Electrical Facts

Introduction
This is a practical guide for travelers visiting German-speaking Europe, and expats who live there. You’ll learn about European 230-volt power and how to adapt to it. Whether you have a laptop computer or a refrigerator, we’ll tell you how to deal with power plugs, voltage converters, and other things you need to know about. You may only need a simple plug adapter. (See our Amazon links below.) If not, we’ve got that covered, too.

Yes, you can use your laptop computer in Germany and the rest of Europe. All you need is a plug adapter. PHOTO: Hyde Flippo

1. Simple Power Problems

For most people traveling in Europe for business or pleasure, a good plug adapter or two may be all that’s required to keep your devices happily supplied with power. Laptops, iPads, smartphones, digital cameras, battery chargers, or almost any device powered by rechargeable batteries will automatically detect the voltage they are being fed. Most of today’s chargers or devices are marked with a notice similar to this: “100-240V, 50/60Hz” – meaning in this case that the device will work with electrical power input from 100 volts to 240 volts, and AC current of 50 or 60 hertz (Hz, cycles per second). This means that you do not need a voltage converter. But since German power plugs have round prongs, and North American plugs have flat prongs, you do need a plug adapter. More about that below.

2. Not-So-Simple Power Problems

Basically, there are two main types of power situations: low-amp/wattage and high-amp/wattage. Laptops, cameras, smartphones, battery chargers, and iPads don’t draw a lot of power (usually less than one amp) and don’t need a voltage converter. That’s why they’re listed above as “Simple Power Problems.” But hair dryers, kitchen appliances, power tools, and anything else with a high wattage rating (over 150 watts) needs a heavy duty voltage converter.

If you want to bring any electrical appliances or devices from North America to Europe, think twice. While rechargeable, low-power electronics present few problems, high-wattage home appliances, hair dryers, and anything else that doesn’t run on batteries will usually need a voltage converter. It’s much wiser to buy local appliances in Europe that are designed for the 230-volt/50Hz power used there. Many hotels also offer in-room hair dryers. If you absolutely must have those US appliances or devices, it can be done, but you need to be aware of the problems involved, as well as the pros and cons of various solutions. Read on…

What You Need to Know
First, the standard household electrical outlet in most of Europe – including Austria, Germany, and Switzerland – packs a wallop of 230 volts, twice the standard household voltage in North America. A normal 120-volt electrical appliance designed for use in the US, Canada or Mexico will provide a nice fireworks display, complete with sparks and smoke, if plugged into a European outlet without a voltage converter.

Second, North American and European electrical plugs are like square pegs in round holes—literally. A German plug (ein Stecker) has two round prongs, and a German electrical socket (eine Steckdose) has, quite logically, two round holes for a receptacle. But even within Europe you may encounter several electrical plug variations (see the Swiss outlet pictured below), including skinnier or fatter prongs, and recessed or not-recessed outlets. Most plug-adapter kits include what you need, but if you plan on visiting several different countries, make sure you have the right adapters.

Some electrical sockets in Switzerland, like this 3-way Type J, have a special shape that even a German round Type C Stecker won’t fit. PHOTO: Hyde Flippo

Plug Types: C, F, and J
Germany and Austria use two plug types, types C and F. The older type C plug has two round pins and no ground pin. The newer type F plug has two round pins with two ground clips on the side. In addition to the type C plug, Switzerland also uses the diamond-shaped type J plug with three round pins. (See photo.) All 3 countries have 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. Besides Switzerland (and Liechtenstein), some regions in Denmark, France, Belgium, Italy, and Poland have odd plug types (E, K, or L) that do not conform to the standard European C or F plugs.

Plug Adapters versus Voltage Converters
While it is easy to buy plug adapters that convert the North American-style flat pronged plugs to European round Schuko ones, this only solves half the problem. It doesn’t help with the voltage disparity. And — just to keep things interesting — even the more-or-less-standard round pin plugs come in fat-pronged and skinny-pronged versions!

A plug or other electrical product approved for use in Germany, has a “DVE” marking (“ÖVE” in Austria, “+S” in Switzerland) on the item or on the accompanying literature. This is the Germanic equivalent of the “UL” symbol in the US. (Most adapters sold in the US and Canada will not have the European markings, since they are intended for use in more than one European country. This does not mean they are unsafe.) Often in Europe, because of the many electrical variations, some appliances are sold without any electrical cord or plug. You may have to buy that separately.

Most modern German electrical sockets are recessed into the wall. Avoid any small voltage converters that have European prongs extending directly from the converter, and thus will not work in a recessed outlet without an additional adapter plug tacked on.

If your computer, shaver, video camera, tablet, or what-have-you is a multi-voltage model (and most are), all you’ll need for Europe are plug adapters. If not, you’ll also need to buy a voltage transformer or converter.

Two Different Types of Voltage Converters

There are two basic kinds of voltage converters. One is for low-wattage devices, such as shavers or radios that use less than about 50 watts. Bigger items that use more power — TVs, irons, refrigerators, etc. — require a more heavy-duty (and heavier) voltage converter. Since these transformers can also weigh a lot and are expensive, it may be wiser to simply buy or rent German appliances that are already able to digest the higher voltages, or buy a transformer in Germany. But, believe it or not, you may save money by buying European-design appliances in the US. The savings over purchasing in Germany can be as much as 50 percent. Of course, don’t forget to add in any possible shipping costs or customs duties as part of the total price. (Household items you bring along to Germany are usually not subject to duties.)

Batteries and Akkus
Anything that runs on battery power will not be a problem (unless it’s a TV set; see below). But if you need to plug it in for recharging, make sure that the charger can handle 230 volts. The chargers that come with or are built into most modern video cameras, shavers, and other electronic devices are designed to sense the voltage automatically. (But read the user’s manual or labels carefully first!) Most standard US batteries are also readily available in Europe, but you may want to bring along a backup if you have an unusual type. A rechargeable battery, such as those used in laptop computers or video cameras, is called an Akkumulator in German, usually shortened to der Akku.

Battery Disposal: In Germany, you are discouraged from simply throwing batteries away in the normal trash. Most German communities have special containers and strict requirements for the disposal of various kinds of waste — glass, metal, chemicals, biodegradables, etc. Europe has also been a leader in mandating lower amounts of dangerous mercury in batteries. In EU countries, including Germany, laws require that batteries be returned to retail outlets for proper disposal. Most German drug stores (Drogerien, not pharmacies), such as Rossmann or Müller, have special battery disposal bins near the checkout stand.

Why 230 Volts or 120 Volts?
Ever wondered how the world ended up
with different voltages? We did too…
Why 230 Volts in Europe and 120 Volts in North America?

Television (Fernsehen) – DVD/Blu-ray
Television adds a few complications not present in other devices. Adapting a television set, DVD/Blu-ray player, or DVR requires more than just a voltage converter. A North American (ATSC) flat-screen TV set or Blu-ray player will not function in the digital TV system used in most of Europe. For longer stays in German-speaking Europe you may want to purchase a multi-system television set that can display both American ATSC and German DVB TV pictures. Multi-system DVD/Blu-ray players that can play both American and German discs are also available. People with extensive collections of US DVDs can simply use a step-down transformer for their US equipment, but this won’t allow the viewing of German television or DVDs. For that you’ll still need a German television set and/or a German DVD/Blu-ray player (or a multi-norm system).

See our German Television page for more information and links concerning television and video in Germany.

A universal plug adapter like the Joomfeen model shown here adapts to outlets in over 150 countries. PHOTO: Amazon.com

Sometimes the Frequency “Hertz”
There are some special electrical devices that just won’t work properly – even with a voltage converter – when transported from North America to Europe or vice versa. We’ve already mentioned TV sets, but this particular “won’t work” category has to do with the difference in hertz, or cycles per second. The alternating current (AC) flowing into your North American house has a frequency of 60 hertz (60 Hz, 60 cycles per second). The AC in Europe and most of the world has a 50-hertz rate. This cycles-per-second difference has a practical outcome that is noticeable in certain devices. Clocks and record turntables will rotate at a slower or faster speed. An electric clock made for use in North America (60Hz) will run slow in Europe (50Hz). (Of course, battery-powered wrist watches are not affected by this problem.) Turntables have the same problem, although some have a speed adjustment that may or may not fix the problem.

Bottom line: Don’t bring electric clocks or turntables! – By the way, the electrical term “hertz” is named for the German physicist Heinrich Rudolf Hertz (1857-1894), who did pioneering work in the field of electricity and electromagnetism.

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Related Links

• Amazon.com: Ceptics-CT-9C-Europe-Travel-Adapter – 3-pack plug adapter set for Germany and most of Europe
• Amazon.com: Joomfeen Universal Adapter – This all-in-one plug adapter covers Germany and more than 150 countries, and allows simultaneous use of the AC power socket and dual USB ports for charging two devices.
• Travel and Tourism – Travel-related pages at the German Way
• The German Way Store also has travel products, travel guides, expat items, and more.
• Electrical Appliances: That Old Chestnut – GW Expat Blog: Electrical advice for American expats living in Europe.

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