Traveling from one country to another often brings with it the need for an adapter to operate electrical appliances as the output voltages or plugs from one country differ from the other. This means that when a traveler from China visits some of the European countries, then he will require a travel adapter from China to Europe.
Due to the complexity of the differences between the two types of plugs and voltage regulations, it is always important to make sure that the adapter one is buying is really suited for the purpose. The travelers from China should look for the travel adapters which have the “CE” and/or “ENEC” availability markings on the labels indicating that the adapter meets the very strict safety regulations of the European Union. Moreover, these travel adapters should be able to deliver voltages ranging from when 90-250V along with various plug types.
It is highly important to be aware of the local voltage regulations before buying a travel adapter as multiple countries have adopted different regulations. For instance, many countries in Europe label their traveling adapters with “Type C” or “CEE 7/16” as it denotes that the plug has two round pins, which is suitable for powering appliances from 90V to 264V up to 16Amps.
The general rule for determining the appropriate travel adapter for a country is to look at the outlet the adapter is going to plug into. One should always check whether the prongs match by sizing and quantity as well the voltage regulation of the region. Most of the travel adapters provide a feature of turning the prongs in and such adapters are most suited for traveling across multiple countries.
Adapter Safety Standards
While buying a travel adapter for China to Europe, one should always check the safety standards. The European Union implemented the RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE (Conformité Européenne) standards to ensure the safety of all the electrical appliances used for travel purposes.
RoHS regulates the level of dangerous substances like Lead and Mercury used in different products, while the CE mark ensures the compliance with the require European health, safety and environment protection standards.
Travel adapters are also required to pass numerous tests to get an FCC stamp of approval, which generally last for 30 days and checks for various hazards such as electric, fire, and mechanical reliability.
Thus, it is highly recommended to check the labeling for safety marks while buying a travel adapter, and if the safety marks are not available, travelers should avoid buying such products.
Finding the Right Adapter
The traveler should also research the specific travel adapter he might require when traveling to China from Europe. Most of the universal travel adapters do not work for the high powered appliances such as hair dryers as different countries have different power outlets.
When it comes to considering the cost of the adapter, the traveler should always try to buy a reliable adapter instead of going for the cheap, low-quality ones. Such adapters are often flimsy, less safe, and not very durable against the wear and tear of repeated usage. While researching on various adapters, travelers should not consider only the cost factor but also the ergonomics, safety standards, and design.
The purchasing process for a travel adapter also depends on whether one wants to buy a single-use adapter, or a combination adapter. Before buying a combination adapter, it is important to know the kind of plugs which are going to be needed during the trip along with the risk of a combination adapter.
Humidity and Temperature Sensitivity Issues
Travel adapters have the further hazard of getting affected adversely by extreme temperature and humidity, and hence it is important to always buy a portable adapter that is specifically designed to handle the intensely humid conditions.
Moreover, good quality adapters also tend to have moisture resistant connectors which help in smoothly connecting the adapter in all sorts of climates. The traveler can always look for a few features such as water proof, water resistance, or splash proof before buying a travel adapter.
Also, many portable adapters have a rating of how much power they can handle, and it is important to make sure that the value is higher than the electric need of the user, otherwise the electric appliance might get compromised.
Brand Reliability
A very important factor during the selection process of a travel adapter is to look at the brand and the reliability or the reputation of the product. Checking the reviews on the website should be the primary factor for assessing the high-quality standards of the product.
They should also check for the after-sales services offered by the brand in case any event occurs while operating the adapter. Furthermore, looking into the warranty regulations is also a great way to assess the reliability of the product.
Also, the compatibility issues can also be minimized by opting for a branded adapter. Good brands can be even more expensive, however, they will last longer and have a better output.
Variations in Quality
Travelers can find various options such as three-pin adapter, or USB compatible adapters, or wall plug convertors while buying a travel adapter. Optimally, the traveler should always go for the model which has the fewest number of pins, and hence cheaper and easier to use.
A European traveler coming to China can also look for the USB adapter instead of the three-pin outlets as the USB adapter can be used for all the electric appliances. Moreover, this also eliminates the extra cost of buying multiple adapters.
The traveler should also look for the features such as surge protection, and the current rating it offers. A surge protector can be coupled with the adapter to provide extra protection to the traveler’s electric appliances.
Also, one should be aware of the fact that the travel adapters have variations in quality and hence it is better to buy an adapter from reliable brands instead of going for the cheaper, low-quality alternatives.
Environmental Impact
It is highly important to remember that cheaper adapters can sometimes be made of poor quality materials which might not be safe, or maybe hazardous to the environment.
Travel adapters are made of plastic, metal, and certain other types of composites which might be hazardous to the natural environment if disposed of improperly. For example, many parts of the world lack proper disposal systems for electronic products, and hence it is highly important to opt for adapters made out of sustainable materials.
Some higher-quality adapters come with a rubber outer coating which provides additional protection, and also does not allow the water droplets to enter the closing which might result in a short circuit.
By looking for eco-friendly adapters, a traveler can make sure that the environment is not affected in case the adapter is gone through a faulty disposal. Also, eco-friendly adapters are often more durable and sturdy than the other variants.
Research before Buying
Before buying a travel adapter from China to Europe, the traveler should always research and prepare a list of desirable and undesirable features available in the market.
Checking the safety regulations along with the electrical specifications of the region is highly important for avoiding any sort of appliance malfunctions. Moreover, it is also highly advised to compare the reviews, and feedback on different adapters by different customers.
Go through the electricity rating on the adapter and make sure that it is compatible for the country you are traveling to. A traveler should also always look for power-saving features on a travel adapter to save up on the electricity bill.
Buying an adapter for a world tour is also a great idea if overall costs and compatibility needs to be avoided. Investing in a good quality, reliable adapter might reduce the risks of electrical shocks, and other hazards.
