As we travel abroad from time to time, I decided to make more or less universal AC adapter (I did not found something suitable in the shops). The fact is that different countries has different standards of AC outlets. Outside Europe the outlets are often different if compared to Russian/European standard outlets.

How Did I Make It

I decided to buy a set of Europe standard outlets and install a standard computer AC connector. It will allow to use one set of outlets with different power cords with different plugs.

First of all I bought a set of outlets.

Set of outlets

Why only two? I think we would not need to use more then two units of electrical equipment at the same time. And one more reason is the size — it becomes important when you are traveling. At the worst, we can take an additional junction box.

I also had a switch and AC connector from old PC power supply.

PC power supply connector

PC power supply switch

They should be mounted on the set of outlets. Two rectangular holes have been made for that purpose:

Holes for the switch and connector

Then I installed the switch and connector and connected them with the set of outlets.

Connections inside the set of outlets

After assembling it looks like that:

The switch

The connector

I have set of cables with different plugs:

Cables with different plugs

They are: UK, US, Europe thick pin (with grounding), Russian/Europe thin pin (without grounding).

Conclusion

This device is completely passive. It does not make any transformations to the input AC voltage. It is not necessary to do this, because most of our equipment can operate with different AC voltages and frequencies (230/110V, 50/60Hz)

Related links

	If you are going to St-Petersburg - Electricity

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