US to Wales power adapters - do you need a power adapter in Wales?

Travel Power Strips

Benefits of a travel power strip

• A travel power strip is capable of powering several electronic appliances at once via a single plug socket.
• You will find some models of power strips will convert voltage for lower wattage electronics such as laptops. So even if the device isn't dual voltage it will still work in Wales when using just a travel power strip, making them a lightweight and cheap alternative to a dedicated voltage converter.
• Some models also feature multiple USB ports.
• Offers surge protection. Voltage from power grids in some areas could fluctuate, a power surge could damage electronics. There are some travel power strips which have a surge protector built in which will protect any electronics from being overloaded.
• The power strip should still be of use when you return to America.
• US and Canadian power strips include Type A, B, D, E/F, G, H, I, L and N plug adapters so should work in Wales.

Disadvantages of a travel power strip

• Unlike a normal power converter, the converter on a travel power strip doesn't work with higher wattage appliances such as hair dryers or curling irons.
• Because of the size of a power strip it might be unsuitable for packing in hand luggage.
• Travel power strips could be considered excessive for travellers with only a small number of devices that need charging. [12] [AD]

Travel USB Wall Chargers

Benefits of a travel USB wall charger

• Ideal when you only have to power USB devices, for example cell phones, iPads or eReaders.
• Instead of bringing multiple domestic USB power chargers travellers only need to pack one charger.
• Supplied with swappable adapter heads making them versatile in a large number of locations. The interchangeable adapter heads are usually lightweight and small making them easy to pack.
• Most models will have a surge protector built in which will protect any electronics from being overloaded by unstable power grids.
• When you return to America it could still work.
• Interchangeable heads fit in Types A/B, E/F, G and I power outlets so will work in Wales.

Disadvantages of a travel USB wall charger

• Restricted to USB ports so you will be unable to charge electrical appliances, just USB ones. [2] [AD]

Universal Travel Power Adapters

Benefits of a universal travel power adapter

• Typical universal travel adapters will work in over 150 different countries.
• An all-in-one design - lightweight and small.
• There are some universal travel adapters that include multiple charging ports for USB electronics.
• Easy to use.
• There are some universal travel adapters that include a built in surge protector, this will prevent your device from being overloaded by an unstable power grid.
• The pins retract so won't get caught against other items in your baggage.
• When you return to America it will still be of use as a USB charger.
• Changes shape to Types A/B, E/F, G and I plugs so will fit into a Welsh power outlet.

Disadvantages of a universal travel power adapter

• Can't be used with high powered electrical appliances; for example hair straighteners, clothes irons, vacuum cleaners, curling irons or hair dryers.
• The internal moving parts such as pins and shutters might be fragile on some models which could make them prone to breaking whilst abroad.
• Universal adapters only charge one plug.
• Not totally universal; some models might not cover certain countries with less popular outlet types.
• They don't have a built in voltage converter meaning they're not suitable for non-230 volt electrical appliances in Wales. [13] [AD]

Power Plug Adapters

Benefits of a power plug adapter

• Bringing a Type G plug adapter will be ideal for Wales.
• Straightforward design makes this power adapter simple to use.
• Cheap.
• Light and compact.

Disadvantages of a power plug adapter

• If you intend on travelling to more than just Wales then you might need to bring multiple power adapter types.
• An adapter only modifies the shape of the plug to fit in a Type G Welsh power outlet but not the voltage used in Wales, if your device doesn't support 230 volts and isn't dual voltage you'll also need to pack a voltage converter.
• Only one power adapter for each appliance - for each separate device you wish to use you will also need to use a separate plug adapter.
• Some hotel rooms might only have a single power outlet, so you will only be able to power a single appliance at a time.
• If you need to power any USB device then you also need to bring a domestic USB charger. [9] [AD]

Plug Adapter Sets

Benefits of a plug adapter set

• A power adapter set will typically work out more economical than buying individual plug adapters.
• By bringing every type of plug adapter ensures that you are covered for every country.
• Perfect if you are travelling to different locations.
• Each plug adapter set includes Type A, B, C, D, E/F, G, H, I, J, L, M and N adapters so will be suitable with a Welsh power outlet.

Disadvantages of a plug adapter set

• Will involve planning - you'll have to choose which adapters to pack in advance, or alternatively pack every power adapter in the set.
• Means lots of individual plug adapters to pack.
• Having just one working power adapter the remaining power adapters will be redundant using up packing space.
• Not all plug adapter types are typically included (and especially the less common adapters) - so check that your set has an adapter that works with a Welsh power outlet.
• Only modifies the shape of the plug but doesn't change the voltage. [14] [AD]

Voltage Converters

Benefits of a voltage converter

• Step down voltage converters let you to power any non-230 volt appliance with a 230 volt power outlet in Wales.
• A voltage converter includes a surge protector that will protect any device from being overloaded by the wrong voltage.

Disadvantages of a voltage converter

• A voltage converter only converts the 230 volts in Wales and won't change the actual shape of the plug to fit in a Welsh power outlet, therefore you will still need to bring the correct type of power adapter.
• The typical size of voltage converters makes them unsuitable for carry-on baggage.
• Useless when you return from Wales.
• It's usually better value and more practical to buy a dual voltage travel appliance than to purchase an expensive power converter just to power your existing single voltage appliance in Wales.
• When you travel from the US and go to Wales then you will require one as the voltage in Wales is 230 volts.

Does a solar powered charger work in Wales?

The sunshine in Wales could be suitable conditions for a solar power bank but may take time to recharge. The compact surface area of the cells means a solar power bank will need to be kept in strong daylight for a long period of time in order to produce enough energy for a single charge, which might prove inconvenient to repeatedly unpack a solar power bank then wait whilst it recharges in a sunny area.

• The bigger durable panels used on a solar backpack will give the bag the ability to generate more electricity within a shorter period of time.
• A phone which has been directly plugged into a USB port of a solar backpack will trickle charge the power during sunny spells in Wales, but this could be inconvenient to have a phone continually connected in the bag during the day if it is to be used constantly. Unlike a handheld solar power bank that needs unpacking facing sunlight, a solar powered backpack is continually exposed to sunlight so will be powering up a power bank during the day.
• A bag that is suitable for Wales needs to have a solar cell efficiency of 22% or more, be able to generate at least 6 watts of power and be used with a compatible power bank of 10,000mAH or stronger.
• Solar bags are available in messenger, backpack and rucksack styles making them perfect for domestic, work and travel use. Unlike normal firm solar cells, the flexible and durable solar panels used in solar powered bags are built to endure scratches and bending.  [10] [22] [23] [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)
• timeanddate.com - Weather Around the World (cited May 2018)

How to convert 230 volts to 110 volts

1. Use a step down power converter to allow you to use a 110 or 120 volt appliance with a 230 volt Welsh power outlet.
2. If the power converter doesn't include the correct shaped plug then it will also be necessary to plug in the power cord from the power converter into a power adapter for Wales before plugging that into a Welsh power outlet.
3. Some power converters include the ability to perform both step up and step down voltage conversions, therefore it may be necessary to manually switch the converter to output the voltage to the 110-120 volt range.
4. Plug your appliance into the converter and turn the power on, your 110-120 volt appliance can now be used with a 230 volt Welsh power outlet. [15] [AD]

Are you only planning on charging USB devices?

• Should you only plan on packing USB electronics such as phones and tablets then it is recommended to just pack a travel USB wall charger.
• If you only use a simple power plug adapter then you will still need to pack the USB power charger that came with your device too. [2] [AD]

What types of electrical devices do you need to use with a Welsh power outlet?

• There are 3 different types of electrical items:
  • Low wattage electronic devices which plug into an electrical outlet - for example laptops or cameras.
  • High wattage appliances which can be plugged into an electrical outlet - for example hair dryers or curling irons.
  • USB devices which plug into a USB port - for example phones and tablets.
• When you only intend to bring along just USB powered devices to Wales then a simple travel USB wall charger is ideal as you will only have to bring that single lightweight charger rather than packing numerous domestic chargers.
• A travel power strip is designed for providing power and voltage conversion for many low wattage devices (such as a laptop), however unsuitable for high wattage appliances (such as hairdryers) that require voltage conversion and could potentially overload the power strip.

Will your devices and appliances only work with 230 volt power outlets?

• The voltage from a Welsh power outlet is 230 volts, should you travel from a country which doesn't use 230 volts and your appliance isn't dual voltage (how you can tell) then you will either need to bring a bulky voltage converter or a lighter power strip with a built in power converter.
• It might be costlier buying a power converter rather than using a dual voltage travel appliance (such as a dual voltage hair dryer, clothes iron, hair straighteners or curling iron for Wales) which is designed for travel and often includes an assortment of plug adapters.

Do you intend on visiting anywhere abroad in the future?

• A versatile universal travel adapter or USB wall charger with interchangeable heads can both be reused for future trips for other countries as well as Wales.

Are you visiting other countries with good access to electricity?

• The power in Wales is generally stable however if you want to go to another country you might need an adapter which will protect your appliances. Voltage might occasionally fluctuate in some countries which could potentially cause damage to your devices, so use a power adapter which has surge protection such as a travel power strip.
• Using a portable charger and a solar backpack will prepare you for travelling to countries with limited electricity or any power cuts.  [10] [10] [22] [AD]