UK to Azerbaijan power adapters - do I need to bring an adapter for Azerbaijan?

Power Plug Adapters

Benefits of a power plug adapter

• Cheap.
• Straightforward design makes it easy to operate.
• Using a Type F plug adapter will work in Azerbaijan.
• Lightweight and compact.

Disadvantages of a power plug adapter

• Only one power adapter per plug - for every device or appliance you wish to use you will also need to pack a separate power plug adapter.
• Adapter only alters the shape of the plug to fit in a Type F Azerbaijani power outlet but not the actual voltage; if your appliance doesn't support a 230 volt power outlet and isn't dual voltage you will still need to bring a separate voltage converter.
• If you intend to travel to more than one country you may need to bring along multiple power adapter types for other countries.
• You'll also need to pack your separate USB charger as well if you need to power any USB device.
• Some hotel rooms might only have a single wall outlet available, therefore you'll only be able to charge a single device at a time. [4] [AD]

Universal Travel Power Adapters

Benefits of a universal travel power adapter

• Most models will work in over 150 different countries.
• All-in-one compact design which is lightweight and small.
• Some models include multiple charging ports for USB electronics built in.
• Relatively easy to use.
• Some universal travel power adapters include a built in surge protector, this will protect any electronics from being overpowered by unstable power grids in some countries.
• The pins retract so won't get caught against other items when packed in luggage.
• When you return home the universal travel power adapter will still be useful as a USB charger.
• Changes shape to Types A/B, E/F, G and I plugs so should work with an Azerbaijani power outlet.

Disadvantages of a universal travel power adapter

• Universal power adapters can't be used with high power electrical appliances such as clothes irons, microwaves, kettles, hair dryers or curling irons.
• The shutters and other moving parts might be fragile on some universal travel adapters making them prone to breaking.
• Universal travel power adapters only charge a single appliance.
• Not fully universal; models might not work in some countries with less popular power outlet types.
• Universal travel power adapters don't have a voltage converter meaning they're not suitable for non-230 volt electrical devices. [11] [AD]

Travel Power Strips

Benefits of a travel power strip

• Able to power several electronic devices and appliances at the same time from just a single plug socket.
• Certain models of travel power strips will convert voltage for low wattage devices (for example laptops or cameras). Even if the device isn't dual voltage it should still be used with a Azerbaijani power outlet by using only a travel power strip, making them a cheaper and lightweight alternative to a dedicated voltage converter.
• Most modern power strips feature multiple USB charge ports.
• Offers surge protection. The voltage from power outlets in some countries might fluctuate, a sudden power surge can damage your devices. Some models also include a surge protector built in which will protect your electronics from being overpowered.
• A power strip will still be functional back at home as a power strip and USB charger.

Disadvantages of a travel power strip

• The conversion on travel power strips won't convert high wattage appliances such as hair dryers or clothes irons.
• Due to their weight travel power strips might be too bulky for packing in hand luggage.
• A travel power strip might be considered excessive if you only bring a small number of appliances to charge. [12] [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.

Travel USB Wall Chargers

Benefits of a travel USB wall charger

• Perfect if you only want to power USB devices, for example cell phones, tablet computers or eReaders.
• You only have to bring a single charger rather than pack multiple domestic USB power chargers.
• Supplied with swappable heads which make them useful in a large number of different locations. The interchangeable adapter heads supplied with USB wall chargers are typically lightweight and small which makes them easy to pack.
• Most models have a surge protector built in to prevent your device from being overloaded by an unstable power grid.
• When you return to the UK the charger will still be useful.
• Interchangeable heads fit into Types A/B, E/F, G and I outlets so will work with an Azerbaijani power outlet.

Disadvantages of a travel USB wall charger

• As it only has USB ports you can't power electrical appliances, just USB devices. [2] [AD]

Plug Adapter Sets

Benefits of a plug adapter set

• A power adapter set typically works out more cost-effective than purchasing multiple individual plug adapters.
• Covers all countries and not just an Azerbaijani power outlet.
• If you are travelling to multiple locations a power adapter set is perfect.
• A set includes Type A, B, C, D, E/F, G, H, I, J, L, M and N adapters so should operate in Azerbaijan.

Disadvantages of a plug adapter set

• Not flexible - you'll have to decide which plug adapters to bring, or alternatively pack every power adapter type with you.
• Lots individual adapters to pack.
• Having only one functioning plug adapter being used in Azerbaijan the remaining plug adapters will be redundant and using up space.
• Not every plug adapter types are typically included (and especially less common ones), so check that your set has one that is compatible in Azerbaijan.
• Each plug adapter only modifies the shape of the plug but not the actual voltage. [13] [AD]

Voltage Converters

UK citizens will not need to use a converter as the voltage from an Azerbaijani power outlet is 230 volts.

Benefits of a voltage converter

• A step down voltage converter allows travellers to use non-230 volt appliance with a Azerbaijani power outlet.
• A voltage converter has a surge protector, this will protect your electronics from being overpowered by the wrong voltage.

Disadvantages of a voltage converter

• A power converter only changes the 230 volts from a Azerbaijani power outlet and not the actual shape of the plug to slot in a Azerbaijani power outlet, therefore you'll still need to use the right type of plug adapter.
• The typical size of most models of voltage converters makes them unsuitable for carrying in hand baggage.
• An expensive converter will be useless when you return to the UK.
• Often better value and more practical to purchase a dual voltage travel appliance than to purchase a much more expensive voltage converter simply to power your existing single voltage appliance abroad.

Do solar battery chargers work in Azerbaijan?

The climate in Azerbaijan may be suitable conditions for a solar power bank but it is likely to take time to charge. Because of their reduced surface area of the cells a solar power bank will need to be left in powerful daylight for an extended period of time to produce enough energy for a single charge cycle, which might prove difficult to constantly unpack a solar power bank and wait whilst it recharges in sunny spells.

• Instead, the larger solar panels found on a solar backpack will give the bag the ability to create more electricity within a faster period of time.
• Phones that have been directly plugged into a USB port of a solar backpack should gradually charge the battery during sunny spells in Azerbaijan, but this might be inconvenient to have it continually tethered to the bag during the day if it is to be used constantly. A normal power bank plugged into a solar backpack can be continuously recharged inside the bag during sunlight, afterwards you can power up the phone using the power bank at any time without needing the bag.
• A bag that is suitable for Azerbaijan needs to have a solar cell efficiency of at least 22%, can generate a minimum of 6 watts of energy and be used with a compatible power bank of 10,000mAH or greater.
• Solar bags are found in rucksack, backpack and messenger styles making them ideal for travel, domestic and work. The flexible and durable cells used in solar powered bags have been designed to endure scratches and bending, unlike regular firm solar panels.  [9] [21] [22] [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 to tell the voltage of your device

The easiest way to tell if a device is either single or dual voltage is to check for numbers printed on the supplied power adapter, or on the unit itself, typically on the rear or near to where the power cord sits. The location might vary depending on the make or model of your device but should also be written on the box.

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

What types of electrical items do you want to charge?

• There are 3 different types of electrical items:
  • Low wattage electronic devices that plug into a power outlet - for example a laptop.
  • High wattage appliances which can be plugged into an electrical outlet - for example hair straighteners and clothes irons.
  • USB electrical devices that charge using a USB port - for example mobile phones and tablet computers.
• When you only want to bring along just USB powered devices then a travel USB wall charger is ideal because you will only need to pack that single compact charger with appropriate existing charging cables rather than having to pack numerous domestic chargers.
• A travel power strip is built for powering and voltage conversion for several low wattage devices of any voltage, but won't work with high wattage appliances which require voltage conversion.

How many Azerbaijani power outlets are available?

• A hotel may only have a single power outlet on the wall. This will be an inconvenience when charging up the batteries of multiple electronic items such as tablets, mobile phones or laptops overnight as you'll only be able to charge a single device at a time.
• Should you want to charge more than one device simultaneously then we suggest using either a USB wall charger or a travel power strip which can charge multiple USB ports and power outlets. [12] [AD]

Will your devices and appliances work with a 230 volt power outlet?

• Azerbaijan uses 230 volts, should you travel from a country which isn't 230 volts and you're not using a dual voltage appliance (how you can tell) then you will either need to bring a heavy power converter or a lighter power strip with a built in voltage converter.
• It might be more expensive buying a voltage converter instead of buying a dedicated dual voltage travel appliance (such as a dual voltage hair dryer, clothes iron, curling iron or hair straighteners for Azerbaijan) which is ideal for travel and often includes an assortment of plug adapters.

Do you plan to visit elsewhere in the future?

• A USB charger with interchangeable heads or versatile universal travel adapter can potentially be reused for future trips for other countries as well as Azerbaijan.

Do you intend to bring hand luggage to Azerbaijan?

• Because of the larger weight both travel power strips and most models of power converters are too heavy for carry-on baggage, consider bringing a lightweight universal power adapter or USB wall charger. [11] [AD]