US to Uzbekistan power adapters - do you need to bring an adapter to Uzbekistan?

Universal Travel Power Adapters

Benefits of a universal travel power adapter

• Typical models work in over 150 different countries.
• An all in one compact design. Both small and lightweight.
• There are some models which include charging ports for USB devices.
• Relatively straightforward operation.
• There are some universal travel power adapters that include a surge protector built in, this will prevent any device from being overpowered by an unstable power grid in some countries.
• The pins retract so won't catch against other items when packed in your baggage.
• It will be functional domestically as a USB charger.
• Changes shape to Types A/B, E/F, G and I plugs so should fit into an Uzbekistani power outlet.

Disadvantages of a universal travel power adapter

• Must not be used with high power appliances such as hair straighteners, kettles or hair dryers.
• Shutters and moving parts could be fragile on some universal travel power adapters which might make them prone to breaking when travelling.
• Only charges a single plug.
• Might not work in some countries; some adapters might not work in certain countries with less popular outlet types.
• Lacking a power converter means it won't be suitable for non-220 volt electrical appliances. [6] [AD]

Power Plug Adapters

Benefits of a power plug adapter

• Using a Type I plug adapter will be ideal for Uzbekistan.
• Straightforward design makes it simple to operate.
• Affordable.
• Small and lightweight.

Disadvantages of a power plug adapter

• Should you intend on travelling to more than just one country then you might need to bring along multiple plug adapter types.
• Only modifies the shape of the plug to fit in a Type I Uzbekistani power outlet but doesn't alter the actual voltage used in Uzbekistan, so if your appliance doesn't work with 220 volts and isn't dual voltage you'll still need to bring a voltage converter.
• Only 1 adapter per plug - for each individual device you want to bring you'll also need to bring a separate power plug adapter.
• Hotel rooms in Uzbekistan might only have one wall outlet, so you'll only be able to power one appliance at once.
• You will also need to bring your separate USB charger if you need to charge a USB device. [3] [AD]

Travel USB Wall Chargers

Benefits of a travel USB wall charger

• Ideal if you only have to power USB devices.
• Rather than bring lots of domestic USB power chargers travellers only have to bring a single unit.
• Supplied with interchangeable adapter heads which make them useful in a large number of different countries. The interchangeable adapter heads are typically small and lightweight making them easy to pack in hand luggage.
• Offers surge protector built in.
• The charger could still be of use back home.
• Swappable plugs fit in Types A/B, E/F, G and I outlets so will work in Uzbekistan.

Disadvantages of a travel USB wall charger

• Restricted to USB ports so you won't be able to power any electrical appliances, just USB powered ones. [7] [AD]

Travel Power Strips

Benefits of a travel power strip

• Capable of charging more than one electronic appliance simultaneously via a single Uzbekistani power outlet.
• Some models offer voltage conversation for low wattage electronics such as laptops or cameras. Therefore if your appliance isn't dual voltage it can still be used in Uzbekistan by using a travel power strip, making them a cheap and lightweight alternative option to a voltage converter.
• Some models include multiple USB charge ports.
• Offers surge protection. Voltage from power outlets in certain areas might be unstable, a sudden power surge will damage devices. Some models have a built in surge protector to protect your electronics from being overloaded.
• It will be functional when you return to America as a power strip.
• US and Canadian power strips include Type A, B, D, E/F, G, H, I, L and N plug adapters so should work in Uzbekistan.

Disadvantages of a travel power strip

• The converter on a travel power strip won't support higher wattage appliances such as hair straighteners or curling irons.
• Due to the size of a power strip it might be too bulky for hand luggage.
• Travel power strips might be excessive for travellers with only a small number of appliances and devices to charge. [8] [AD]

Plug Adapter Sets

Benefits of a plug adapter set

• A set works out more cost-effective than purchasing individual plug adapter types.
• Covers all eventualities.
• If you are visiting multiple locations this is the most flexible option.
• Each power adapter set includes Type A, B, C, D, E/F, G, H, I, J, L, M and N plugs so should operate in Uzbekistan.

Disadvantages of a plug adapter set

• Will involve some planning; you will need to decide which adapters to pack, if you don't know every country you'll be visiting you'll need to pack each power adapter in the set along.
• Lots individual plug adapters to bring with you.
• The remaining plug adapters will be useless and using up packing space.
• Not every power adapter types are typically included with each set (and especially less common adapters), so ensure that your set includes one that is compatible with an Uzbekistani power outlet.
• A plug adapter only changes the shape of the plug to allow it to fit into an Uzbekistani power outlet but not the voltage. [9] [AD]

Voltage Converters

Benefits of a voltage converter

• Step down voltage converters will let you to use any non-220 volt appliance with a 220 volt Uzbekistani power outlet.
• A voltage converter has a built in surge protector to protect any device from being overpowered by an incorrect voltage.

Disadvantages of a voltage converter

• It will only change the 220 volts in Uzbekistan and won't change the actual shape of the plug to slot into a Uzbekistani power outlet, therefore you will still be required to use the correct type of power adapter.
• The weight of voltage converters makes them too heavy and bulky for packing in hand baggage.
• A voltage converter won't be useful when get back home.
• Usually less expensive to purchase a dual voltage travel appliance than to buy an expensive power converter simply in order to power your existing single voltage appliance in an incompatible location.
• When you travel from America go to Uzbekistan then you will require a voltage converter as the voltage in Uzbekistan is 220 volts.

Will a solar charger work in Uzbekistan?

The climate in Uzbekistan might be suitable for a solar power bank but is likely to take time to recharge. Because of the smaller surface area of the cells a solar power bank will need to be kept in powerful daylight for a long period of time to provide enough energy for a single charge, and this might prove difficult to repeatedly pack and unpack a solar power bank then wait whilst it recharges between cloud cover.

• Instead, the bigger durable solar cells found on a solar backpack give the bag the ability to generate more power within a faster period of time.
• A phone that is directly plugged into the USB charging port of a backpack should trickle charge the battery during sunny periods in Uzbekistan, but might prove inconvenient to have a phone constantly tethered in the bag during the day should it be needed frequently. A power bank plugged in a solar backpack can be constantly topped up inside the bag during sunlight, afterwards the phone can be recharged using the power bank at any time without sunshine.
• A solar bag that is suitable for Uzbekistan should have a solar cell efficiency of 22% or more, can generate a minimum of 6 watts of power and includes a 10,000mAH power bank or greater.
• Solar bags are available in backpack, messenger and rucksack styles making them ideal for travel, work and domestic use.
• Unlike normal solid solar panels, the flexible and durable solar cells used in solar powered bags have been built to survive bending and scratches.  [4] [16] [17] [AD]

Sources

• International Electrotechnical Commission - World plugs by location (cited August 2014)
• Wikipedia - Mains electricity by country (cited July 2014)
• Index Mundi - Power outages in a typical month (cited May 2018, data collected between 2006 to 2017)
• Index Mundi - Access to electricity (cited May 2018, latest data collected 2010)
• WikiPedia - List of countries by average yearly temperature (cited May 2018, data averaged between 1961 to 1990)

How can you tell if you have a dual voltage appliance?

The easiest method to see if a appliance is dual or single voltage is to check for either a sticker or numbers printed on the supplied charger, or on the device itself, typically near to where the power cord plugs into. The location will vary depending on the make or model of your appliance and should also be written on the box or in the instruction manual.

• Single voltage devices might say a specific number - such as 120V.
• Single voltage devices might also have a small voltage range (20 volts difference) with a dash to accomodate small voltage fluctuations - such as 220-240V.
• Dual voltage devices will normally say a larger range separated with a slash - such as 100/240V.

How many electrical items will you be taking to Uzbekistan?

• List all the electronic you intended on packing for Uzbekistan (including cell phones, tablets, laptops, eReaders, curling irons and hair dryers).
  • Allow for more devices in the future. Do you intend on buying a new tablet computer next year for example?
  • There is a growing amount of smaller rechargeable electronics such as electric shavers which utilise USB charging as their power source. Therefore next time you buy a new device it could need a USB power adapter so please ensure your travel adapter has enough spare ports to power these additional devices too.
• Will you be travelling with a partner who might need to charge their devices as well?

Will your devices work with 220 volt power outlets?

• Uzbekistan uses 220 volts, if you travel from a country which doesn't use 220 volts and you don't have a dual voltage appliance (how to tell) then you will either need to pack a bulky power converter or a power strip with a built in power converter.
• It can be more expensive to buy a voltage converter rather than using a dedicated dual voltage travel appliance (for example a dual voltage hair dryer, clothes iron, hair straighteners or curling iron for Uzbekistan) which is perfect for travel and often includes plug adapters.

How many wall outlets will be available when you arrive in Uzbekistan?

• Your hotel might have only one wall outlet, this will present a problem when charging batteries of multiple items such as phones, tablet computers and cameras overnight as you will only be able to recharge a single device at a time then have to continually swap after each device has charged.
• If you want to charge multiple devices simultaneously then we suggest packing either a travel USB wall charger or a travel power strip that can power multiple USB ports and outlets. [8] [AD]

How much can you afford to pay?

• A basic power adapter which charges one device in a single country (providing that it is dual voltage or works with 220 volts), however paying a little more allows you to charge multiple devices simultaneously and use them in multiple different countries.

Are you only bringing hand luggage to Uzbekistan?

• Due to their increased size power converters and power strips could be way too bulky for carrying in carry-on baggage, we recommend bringing either a USB wall charger or a universal power adapter. [6] [AD]

Would you like to use your charger when returning to America?

• Most types of travel USB wall chargers and travel power strips might also be useful when you get back to America.