Power supply and security when traveling

There are 16 relevant plug and socket types worldwide, which are referred to as types A to N. All types differ in their shape, contact pins and aspects such as earthing contact. Different types may be common in each country.

In the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), for example, we know the round earthing contact plugs and sockets of type F, which are often abbreviated colloquially as "Schuko". The flat Euro plug (type C) is also common here.

Before every trip, it is advisable to find out which plug and socket types are common in your destination country and whether you need a corresponding adapter. The flat Euro plug can already be used in most European countries (exceptions are Ireland, Malta, Cyprus and the United Kingdom). If you are planning a longer stay with children or even a move, you should also note that sockets in other countries also require different socket fuses. Here you can find out which plug types are used in a country.

If a plug fits into a socket, this does not always mean that the two are compatible with each other. In addition to different types of plugs and sockets, the mains voltage and mains frequency can also differ from country to country. In Germany and most other European countries, 230 volts at a mains frequency of 50 hertz (Hz) is standard.

If you travel a lot, you should buy appliances that can be converted from the usual 230 volts to other voltages such as 110 or 120 volts. Alternatively, there are adapters that allow your electrical appliances to run in countries with a lower mains voltage. Lower voltages are noticeable when charging smartphones, for example, as this process then takes longer.

Many electrical appliances are more tolerant of mains frequency than mains voltage. Many manufacturers of electrical appliances have now started to establish a permissible frequency range between 50 Hz (common in Europe, for example) and 60 Hz (common in the USA, for example). One of the reasons for this is that the mains frequency in Germany is not always exactly 50 Hz due to fluctuations in the power grid. A certain tolerance is therefore essential.

A typical concern of travelers is whether they have turned the stove off and locked the door. Our tips will not only save you this worry, but also electricity costs:

• Turn off all appliances that don't absolutely need to be running while you're away. Don't forget standby mode. The easiest way to do this is to simply unplug the relevant appliances.
• If your appliances are disconnected from the mains, this also provides protection during thunderstorms. Remember to disconnect and unplug the TV, cable and satellite connections, additional devices and computers. Additional safety is provided by surge protection, e.g. by using appropriate adapter plugs or power strips in which the appropriate protection is fully integrated.
• Use the weekend before a long absence to empty your fridge and freezer and then disconnect them from the mains. However, you should still be present when defrosting the freezer, as a considerable amount of water can accumulate here, depending on how much ice there is. If you do not want to or cannot disconnect both appliances from the mains, it is advisable to at least turn the temperature in the refrigerator down slightly to save energy.
• Switch off your WiFi router to protect yourself from cyberattacks on your home network. If you want to give the impression that you are at home during your trip with the help of smart home solutions, you should make sure you have a functioning firewall and good encryption.

VDE Verband der Elektrotechnik Elektronik Informationstechnik e.V. and its affiliated companies (hereinafter each “VDE”) provide non-binding information on consumer protection topics. These publications are intended solely to raise general awareness of consumer protection in relation to electrotechnical products and issues. They expressly do not constitute professional or technical advice. The information is provided the best of one's knowledge and belief without having evaluated the actual conditions at a specific location or of a specific product.

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