Plugs and voltages around the world

Inflation, recession, rising prices... while some people always win and get rich, the rest of us mortals are affected more than ever by rising prices like the rise in electricity bills.

We can realize now more than ever that we cannot live without electricity, or at least it would be unthinkable to live as we should and want, or do everything we do. In fact, if there is ever a blackout, we see that we cannot turn on anything at home, or charge the mobile phone, for example. The worst thing is always the freezer without a doubt, but if it takes a little longer than necessary, suddenly it seems that we are nothing and we panic. Should electricity be considered an essential good or a basic resource for decent living conditions?

It is clear that based on the type of life we all lead, how are we going to be without a fridge? Or also without internet? But without going into maximum drama or apocalyptic thoughts, simply by way of inspiration for this article, a curiosity comes to mind, or rather an old question that I always had in mind when I traveled to other places.

When we go to another country, for example if we travel to another continent, we have to think about all the details, because almost one of the first things we think about is… will there be wi-fi? And right away we check if the mobile works. So sometimes, like a chicken without a head, we look at every corner in search of that miraculous plug where we can put our charger. We are saved, we are connected. But oh! What's up, it doesn't come in? It turns out that they are different voltages and plugs, and then we need an adapter!.

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For this reason it is convenient to check the type of plug in the country and almost always carry an adapter in your suitcase, there are universal ones that will work for different models depending on where you go, something more useful and practical after all. Although in general, in most European countries we will not be surprised since we will be able to use our electrical and electronic devices without problem, but in other of the most visited sites we must take this into account, such as in the United Kingdom, the United States or Iberoamerican countries. So first of all, while we prepare our things and take the dryer or the computer, it is worth checking the data of voltages and plugs, otherwise you want your appliances and devices to be scorched. There are web pages with all this information, using any search engine, such as Presearch for example, we already found among others:

Or in Spanish too:

Do you know that there are 18 different types of plugs? Although some of the most common 15 are the following:

(Image source: https://www.enchufesenelmundo.com/)

And what about the voltages? Because if we make a mistake we can cause our mobile to stop working or the charger to burn. For this reason, it must be borne in mind that although 220-240V/50Hz is used in the vast majority of countries, especially in America, it changes to 100-127V/60Hz being used on a regular basis.

(Image source: https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/)

So it is always better to be cautious and try to organize and anticipate these details that can in some more or less subtle way affect our stay. There will be many unexpected things that can happen to us, but the fact of having something a little under control can make us enjoy everything more, and that is priceless. Well, I still have some gadgets bought in the United States that in order to use it I have to do it with the universal adapter, so you also have to take it into account in gifts and purchases, I mean, if you buy devices there its use when you return!

And if in addition to traveling, you are going to live for a season or a long time (it doesn't matter) you will have to return to the wonderful world of electricity companies and paying bills. The search, management and contracting of a home service can be complex in our own home, so in another country, in another language and with other market conditions, it can be somewhat more confusing. In that situation it is always better to ask a local friend, to shed a little light on the matter... Although we hope that the issue of "revolving doors" and the non-transparent relationship between companies and politicians that end up "working" or attending boards of directors for a lot of money, don't be as shameful and outrageous as it happens in Spain.
I suppose that in each country, the situation is different in a certain way, but if someone wants to comment on what is happening in their country... I will read you with great curiosity and interest. We know that in some places, there are power outages with certain periodicity or the electrical service is already quite poor, unfortunately.

Let's hope that everything changes and light is shed around us everywhere and in every way.