


This way, you can use the multi-adapter in North America before and after your flight, and also use it in France.
#120 volt outlet adapter plus
You get four North American sockets for any appliance (three 2-prong and one 3-prong) plus two USB2 sockets and one USB3 socket for small items such as smartphones, cameras, tablets, Kindles, earbuds, etc.Įven better? Get the North American version of this multi-adapter and stick one of those simple, cheap, 2-prong flat adapters on it or, better, a larger cylindrical adapter which stays in the wall outlet more securely. But if you just want to convert a French/European outlet for North American plugs, here's a simple solution:įancy multi-adapter: use it in France and 149 other countries. To receive North American, UK, all Euro and many other plugs, and to fit into hermaphroditic French sockets as well as into other outlets. You can buy elaborate Multi-adapters designed You may not need as many sockets as you have devices. Of course, you probably won't have to charge all of them at once (say, overnight), so it may be they won't all need to be plugged in at the same time. You may be surprised at the total number. It's a good idea to make a complete list of the electrical appliances you'll be taking to France so you'll know what sort of adapters to bring: smartphones, cameras, tablets, Kindles, computers, tooth brushes, earbuds.the devices add up these days. In airports, European electrical shops, and in NorthĪmerica at hardware stores, and in places These simple 2-prong flat adapters are sold Note that you can also use the flat 2-prong adapter with standard large 2-prong Euro plugs that would not otherwise fit in, and connect to, a French hermaphroditic socket because of the France-only ground prong coming out of the outlet: The ground prong from the French outlet/socket Prong (ground) would go on the bottom side The simple flat 2-prong adapter (click for more).Īmerican grounded (3-prong) plugs: the third This sort of flat 2-prong adapter works in French outlets as well as in those If your needs are simple, and if you're only going to travel in France and other continental countries (not the UK), a simple 2-prong adapter solves several (Don't even think of using a British plug anywhere in Europe without a special adapter.) The Simple Adapter Solution This means a full-sized plug that will fitĪ socket in Germany (or any other European country) will not fitĪ socket in France. (The ground/earth prong carries no electricity it acts as a safety in case of a short circuit.) This is the ground (earth) connection, recommendedīut not essential for most small appliances.

Note how the plug has a hole to receive a prong, and the socket/outlet/point has a protruding prong. Look at the photos above and on the right In any case, you'll have to deal with these hermaphroditic French plugs and sockets.

Gastronomes may think it's because the French love escargots. It means that French manufacturers keep the French electricalĭevice market to themselves because plugs and sockets imported from other countries won't work in France. That both plugs and sockets have prongs andĬonspiracy theorists among us might believe In France, plugs and outlets are hermaphroditic ("both sexes in one"), meaning Sockets (outlets, points) are termed male and female:įemale with the receptacles for the prongs. In most of the world, electrical plugs and
#120 volt outlet adapter how to
shows you how to adapt to France's special hermaphroditic (male+female) electrical plugs and sockets/points.
