UK seems to use several different outlet types. Sometimes the fork would unlock it, but not always.
The europlug side of this device worked just fine.
Also BE CAREFUL. This is an adapter ONLY, not a converter. Make sure the device you plug in supports either 120 or 240, or you may fry something. Electronics are USUALLY safe, but read on the adapter. Hair dryer would be a very bad idea! Belkin F8E449 Universal AC Travel Adapter
I was hesitant to purchase after reading the reviews however after doing some research on what I needed this became the obvious choice of other adpaters I was looking at. First off you have to check whatever item you want to plug into it. If the product you want to plug into it has an input of 100-240v or anything inbetween (110-240v for example) than this product works without any additional converters. If your product does not have the before mentioned voltage inputs and is only rated 110 or 240 you will need a voltage converter taking the voltage up or down depending on your input necessary to power your device. To check your device: if it has a transformer (box in between the plug and the adapter to your device) it will have the necessary information. If your product does not have an adapter (like a cell phone charger) it will be located on the plug area.
As an electrical engineer, I feel that the product description for this item (Belkin F8E449 Universal AC Travel Adapter) is intentionally misleading.
For example, it says:
"Rated to handle both 110- and 220-240-volt standards... allows you to connect to international power outlets without a complicated power conversion"
The statement above suggests that this 'AC Travel Adapter' is able to provide POWER conversion, so a potential customer may expect it to perform VOLTAGE conversion between 110/220V. But this is completely false, becasue this plug adapter is just a physical connection. It does not convert the VOLTAGE. It does not convert the CURRENT. In short, it does not perform ANY conversion at all.
In the 'Technical Details' section it further says:
"Allows you to charge your laptop, PDA, and cell phone internationally"
A potential customer may be led to believe that: this product allows you to use 110V-only appliance in other countries. The truth is, if you plug in an 110V-only appliance to a 220V socket through this 'adapter', your appliance wil blow up immediately.
Power supplies for most portable electronics (laptop, camcorder, cell-phone, electric shavers, etc.) are already designed for universal voltage of 100-240V AC. Similarly, your travel iron or hair dryer could be ready for dual-voltage operation. Make sure to check your appliance's user manual, as it may require you to manually flip a voltage-selection switch before leaving for the trip.
Of course, you still need a set of universal plug adapters for foreign countries - which is exactly what this product is meant to be.
I bought this adaptor specifically for my vacation to China. The product description says it works in China. This is false! The plug configuration is different in China (triangle shape). So this adaptor was useless to me!
We've used this adapter in Scotland, England and France. Some of the UK outlets require you to first insert the flat plastic fork you see in the illustration photo in a vertical slot just below the two round holes before plugging in the adapter. Even so, there were some stubborn outlets we couldn't make it work in, but always at least one in which it would work.
All of my gadgets have A US style male AC plug but can accept voltages anywhere from 110 to 240 so I didn't need voltage step down just an adapter for various European outlets. The manual for this thing claims it could be used for UK style outlets but upon arriving I found that this wasn't true much to my annoyance. Did work fine in France though.
I used this in Croatia, Slovenia, and Amsterdam to charge my digital camera's battery and it worked great. It's small, and all one part, so you don't have to worry about losing adapter plugs found on some other models.
This device packs all necessary features into one compact, small package that fits easily in your bags - which is just what you want on the road. The socket adapters easily unfold and with compatibility for European, British and US standard plugs, you pretty much have all bases covered wherever you go.
And what about the performance?
Well, some of you may say "What's there to perform for a travel adapter? All you do is plug in your gadgets, and that's that, right?"
That's almost right, but having tried other travel adapters, there really is a ton of complications you can have with them. Some adapters fall of the wall when you connect heavier plugs (esp. ones where the charger/converter is built into the plug). Others are finicky and sensitive to touch or accidental bumps, losing charge off and on. Others won't fit a number of sockets for some reasons. And so on...
But on the contrary, the Belkin F8E449 Universal AC Travel Adapter comes through as one reliable, sturdy device. It keeps up the current even if accidentally touched or bumped into and hugs the wall like Spiderman.
So in short, this is a reliable device at a great price point / value, and a versatile companion on the road.
Just remember that you may still need an electric currency transformer for some devices, so check the voltage range on the device or charger before plugging it in - this will save you from eventually frying the heck out of it. - Europe - Converter - Power Plug Adapter - Travel'
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