UK to Tunisia power adapters - what kind of travel adapter is needed for Tunisia?

Universal Travel Power Adapters

Benefits of a universal travel power adapter

• Perfect when travelling to multiple countries. Most models function in around 150 countries.
• All in one compact design. Both lightweight and small.
• Some universal travel adapters will include USB charging ports.
• Easy to use.
• There are some universal travel adapters that include a built in surge protector, this will protect any device from being overloaded by an unstable power grid.
• The pins retract so won't get caught against other items in your luggage.
• When you return home it could still work as a USB charger.
• Changes shape to Types A/B, E/F, G and I plugs so should work with a Tunisian power outlet.

Disadvantages of a universal travel power adapter

• A universal travel power adapter will overload when used with a high powered appliance such as clothes irons, hair straighteners, microwaves, kettles or hair dryers.
• The moving parts could be fragile on some universal travel power adapters making them prone to breaking whilst abroad.
• Universal adapters only charge one plug.
• Might not be completely universal; models might not work in certain countries with less common outlets.
• Missing a power converter will mean it isn't suitable for appliances which don't support 230 volts. [6] [AD]

Travel USB Wall Chargers

Benefits of a travel USB wall charger

• Perfect if you only have to charge devices which use USB.
• You only have to bring a single unit instead of packing lots of domestic USB power chargers.
• Supplied with interchangeable adapter heads which make them versatile in a large number of different locations. The interchangeable adapter heads are usually lightweight and small making them easy to pack.
• Offers a surge protector.
• It can still be of use domestically.
• Swappable plugs will fit into Types A/B, E/F, G and I outlets so will work with a Tunisian power outlet.

Disadvantages of a travel USB wall charger

• They only have USB outputs so you will be unable to power appliances, just USB powered ones. [7] [AD]

Travel Power Strips

Benefits of a travel power strip

• Capable of powering several electrical appliances at once via a single plug socket.
• You will find certain models are able to convert voltage for low wattage electronics. Even if your electronic device isn't dual voltage it should still be used with a Tunisian power outlet when using a travel power strip. This can make them a cheaper and lightweight substitute for a power converter.
• Most power strips will include a number of USB charge ports.
• Voltage from power outlets in some countries might be unstable, a surge in power might damage your electrical items. There are some travel power strips which have a surge protector built in which will protect any electronics from being overloaded.
• The power strip will still be of some use domestically as a USB charger and power strip.

Disadvantages of a travel power strip

• The conversion on travel power strips won't support high wattage appliances such as curling irons or hair dryers.
• Due to the size of a travel power strip it might be too bulky for packing in hand luggage.
• A travel power strip might be excessive if you only have a small number of devices and appliances to charge. [8] [AD]
• Power strip models for sale in the UK only include type B, F, G and I plug adapters so you may need to use it along with an additional plug adapter to work in some countries.

Power Plug Adapters

Benefits of a power plug adapter

• Simple to operate.
• Affordable.
• Compact and light.
• Using a Type E plug adapter will work in Tunisia.

Disadvantages of a power plug adapter

• Your accomodation in Tunisia may only have one wall outlet available, so you'll only be able to charge one appliance at once.
• If you plan on travelling to more than just Tunisia then you might need to bring multiple power adapter types.
• One plug adapter per plug - for every individual appliance you will also need to bring a separate power plug adapter.
• Only changes the actual shape of the plug to fit in a Type E Tunisian power outlet and doesn't alter the voltage; if your appliance doesn't support 230 volts and isn't dual voltage then you'll still need to pack a separate voltage converter.
• If you need to charge any USB device then you also need to bring a domestic USB charger. [3] [AD]

Plug Adapter Sets

Benefits of a plug adapter set

• A set will typically work out more cost-effective than buying multiple plug adapters.
• By bringing every type of plug adapter ensures that you are covered for every country.
• Perfect if you are travelling to different locations.
• Includes Type A, B, C, D, E/F, G, H, I, J, L, M and N adapters so should be compatible with a Tunisian power outlet.

Disadvantages of a plug adapter set

• Involves planning; prior to any trip you'll have to decide which plug adapters they'll need, if you don't know every country you'll be visiting you'll need to bring each adapter type along.
• Lots individual items to bring with you.
• The remaining power adapters will be useless using up space.
• Not every plug adapter types are typically included (especially rarer adapters), so check that your set includes an adapter which works with a Tunisian power outlet.
• Only modifies the shape of the plug but doesn't change the voltage. [9] [AD]

Voltage Converters

UK travellers will not need to bring a converter as the voltage in Tunisia is 230 volts.

Benefits of a voltage converter

• A step down voltage converter allows you to power your non-230 volt electronics with a 230 volt Tunisian power outlet.
• A voltage converter includes a built in surge protector that will protect any device from being overloaded by the wrong voltage.

Disadvantages of a voltage converter

• A voltage converter only converts the 230 volts in Tunisia and won't change the actual shape of the plug to fit into a Tunisian power outlet, therefore you'll still need to use a suitable power adapter for Tunisia.
• The normal weight of most models of voltage converters makes them way too bulky for packing in carry-on luggage.
• Redundant after your visit to Tunisia.
• Usually much cheaper to purchase a dual voltage travel appliance than to buy a much more expensive voltage converter simply to bring your existing single voltage domestic appliance in an incompatible location.

How well do solar powered chargers work in Tunisia?

The sunshine in Tunisia should be suitable enough to recharge solar power bank reliability, but will need to be exposed to strong sunshine to provide adequate power for a single charge cycle. It could prove inconvenient to continually unpack a solar power bank then wait whilst it recharges in sunny spells.

• The bigger durable panels used on a solar backpack give the bag the ability to create more electricity within a faster period of time, making them ideal for the weather in Tunisia.
• A phone that has been directly plugged into a USB port of a solar backpack can trickle charge the power during sunny spells in Tunisia, but this might be inconvenient to have a phone continuously connected in the bag during the day if it is to be used constantly. Unlike a small solar power bank which needs to be unpacked and facing the sunlight, a solar bag is usually exposed to sunlight therefore will be topping up a regular power bank during the day.
• Even though the sunlight in Tunisia is strong, a bag should ideally have a solar cell efficiency of 22% or more, be able to generate at least 6 watts of power and be used with a compatible power bank of 10,000mAH or greater.
• The durable and flexible solar cells used in solar powered bags are designed to endure bending and scratches, unlike normal firm solar cells. Solar bags come in backpack, laptop messenger and rucksack styles which makes them perfect for work, travel and domestic use.  [4] [16] [17] [AD]

Sources

• International Electrotechnical Commission - World plugs by location (cited August 2014)
• Wikipedia - Mains electricity by country (cited July 2014)
• Index Mundi - Power outages in a typical month (cited May 2018, data collected between 2006 to 2017)
• Index Mundi - Access to electricity (cited May 2018, latest data collected 2010)
• WikiPedia - List of countries by average yearly temperature (cited May 2018, data averaged between 1961 to 1990)

How can I tell if I have a dual voltage or single voltage appliance?

The best way to tell if a appliance is either dual or single voltage is to look for numbers printed on the supplied power adapter or on the appliance itself, normally on the rear or near to where the power cord sits. The location might depend on the make or model of your unit, it should also state on the box.

• Single voltage devices could say a specific number - such as 110V.
• Single voltage devices could also have a small voltage range (around 20 volts) with a dash to accomodate small voltage fluctuations - such as 100-120V.
• Dual voltage devices will normally say a larger voltage range separated with a slash - such as 110/240V.

How many electrical devices are you taking to Tunisia?

• List all the items you want to bring to Tunisia (such as laptops, mobile phones, tablets, eReaders, hair dryers and curling irons).
  • Allow for more electrical items at a later date. Do you intend on purchasing a new tablet computer next year?
  • There is an increasing number of smaller rechargeable electronics such as electric shavers that utilise USB charging for a power source. Therefore if you have to replace a device it might need a USB power adapter so check that your travel adapter has enough spare ports to power these too.
• Will you also be travelling with a partner who will need to recharge their phones as well?

Do your devices and appliances work with 230 volt power outlets?

• The voltage in Tunisia is 230 volts, if you originate from a country that isn't 230 volts and you don't have a dual voltage appliance (how you can tell) then you'll either need to pack a bulky power converter or a lighter power strip with a built in voltage converter.
• It can be costlier to buy a power converter than using a dual voltage travel appliance (such as a dual voltage hair dryer, clothes iron, hair straighteners or curling iron for Tunisia) which is designed for travel and often includes an assortment of plug adapters.

How many power outlets will be available when you get to Tunisia?

• Your hotel may have only one power outlet on the wall, this will be an issue when recharging more than one device overnight because you can only recharge a single device at a time then need to swap every few hours.
• To charge more than one device at the same time we suggest packing either a USB wall charger or a travel power strip which are capable of charging multiple USB ports or power outlets. [8] [AD]

How much can you afford to pay?

• A basic power adapter which charges one single device from a Tunisian power outlet (providing that it is dual voltage or works with 230 volts), but paying a small amount more will allow you to power multiple devices at once and bring them to various countries.

Do you intend on only bringing hand luggage?

• Due to the increased weight and size most models of voltage converters and power strips can be way too heavy and bulky for packing in carry-on luggage, consider packing either a universal travel power adapter or USB wall charger instead. [6] [AD]

Would you like to use your charger when returning to the UK?

• Most models of travel USB chargers and travel power strips should still function when you get to the UK.