So, I need to buy a 220 to 110v. converter to use some American electrical equipment in the Czech Republic. Most of the ones I found come with something called a Schuko plug. Is that the correct design for use in the Czech Republic. The same sites list adaptors for several specific countries so I am not sure if this is the one to get. I could not find out specifically about the Czech Republic.
Most European 220V electrical systems operate at 50Hz. North American (110V) systems run at 60Hz. This means, even if you convert it voltage-wise, it still won’t be optimum for the appliance. Electric motors will run slower and hotter. Stereo equipment will run hotter. Heat shortens the life of electical components.
Sorry, don’t know what the heck a Schuko plug is. Someone with a brain should be along any minute.
I am sure that when I was in Prague about six years ago they used the standard plugs/sockets as in the rest of mainland Europe. so if you get this type of plug you should be OK
Thanks, that should be the so called Schuko plug from what I read.
Do you think my laptop will work there given the difference in current frequency? Sounds like the CD might be funky as well.
This link might be useful for any country you wish to visit. If you click on the “type” letter you even get a picture of the connector.
My laptop comes with a fancy power supply which can handle both voltages and frequencies. I thought these were pretty much standard.
dauerbach your laptop power supply is probably a switching power supply which will work anywhere. The label will tell you. Read it. The CD drive is not affected.
You need to understand the needs of each gadget or appliance. Some will work at different frequencies and some will not. As for information by country here is everything you need:
http://www.kropla.com/electric.htm
http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm
a Schuko plug is standard here in Germany. The name is short for “Schutzkontaktstecker.” It is a two pronged plug with a large housing and two ground connectors up the side of the shell. It plugs into a socket that is basically a big hole in the wall. At no time is there ever any exposed metal with voltage on it exposed when inserting or removing the plug from the socket - unlike american plugs.
What you will find a lot of are “Euro plugs.” These have the same pins for the voltage as the Schuko plug, but the shell is much smaller and doesn’t have the extra ground connections. It looks kind of like an american plug on steroids.
A europlug will fit into a socket made for a Schuko plug, and most of the time a Schuko plug will fit a euro plug socket - but not always. The Germans make euro plug extension cords that have the actual socket set into a hole that is made in the shape of a euro plug - and a Schuko plug won’t go in there.
Plugging a Schuko device into a europlug socket can be dangerous. The device will expect to have a solid ground, and might have a chassis that should be grounded but isn’t anymore - which could thus leak enough current to hurt or kill you. 220Volts is not a joke.
If all you are worried about is your laptop, check your powersupply. It is probably a universal unit, and you just need to get a plug adapter.
For anything else, check sailor’s links.