A lot of plugs

WhatPlug.info

Guide for the traveller with plugs

How to use plugs from Barbados in Zambia

Plugs, sockets, adapters and other information needed for travelling from Barbados to Zambia in this page. If you want a report for other countries, re-start the wizard to find to electric adapters for your trip here.

Quick Chart at-a-glance

  Barbados Zambia  
Voltage: 115V. 230V. icons/exclamation2.gif  
Plugs Type: A, B. C, D, G. icons/exclamation2.gif  
Hertz: 50Hz. 50Hz. icons/teeth.gif  

If you are electrical savvy, perhaps the previous chart is all you need. If this is not the case, you can continue reading and discover what the chart is saying!

Plugs and Sockets at each country

In Barbados the following plugs are used: (includes Bridgetown, Holetown, Bathsheba, Speightstown, Oistins.)

Barbados' Plug Type A Barbados' Plug Type B
Plug Type A Plug Type B
Barbados' Outlet Type A Barbados' Outlet Type B
Outlet Type A Outlet Type B

... and in Zambia you will use: (includes Lusaka, Livingstone, Ndola, Chipata, Kitwe, Chingola, Mongu.)

Zambia' Plug Type C Zambia' Plug Type D Zambia' Plug Type G
Plug Type C Plug Type D Plug Type G
Zambia' Outlet Type C Zambia' Outlet Type D Zambia' Outlet Type G
Outlet Type C Outlet Type D Outlet Type G

Giraffes

Giraffes

Voltage

Take care: Zambia uses higher voltage than Barbados

Your electric devices from Barbados will be expecting 115 Volts, but Zambia grid is of 230 Volts, this is a substantial difference that requires you to take some extra steps in preparation to your trip:

On the positive side, nowadays many devices will switch automatically to the network voltage and they will work just fine, i.e. mobile phone chargers are typically multi-voltage (but please, do actually check your own). It is important that you pay attention to your device's voltage. Connecting electronics to the wrong voltage, in the luckiest of the cases, the device will break or stop working temporarily; but please don't take this lightly, in the worst of the cases electrocution and fire hazards are a real possibility.

An automatic power supply suitable from 100 Volts to 240 Volts. An automatic power supply suitable from 100 Volts to 240 Volts.

High-power devices don't usually handle different voltages due to the high-currents involved i.e. anything that its main purpose involves generating heat (or cold) like hair driers, baby bottle warmers, kettles, etc. On the contrary, modern low-power devices are likely to auto-detect and auto-adapt to different voltages i.e. usb chargers, laptop chargers, etc.

A hair-dryer showing its consumption of 2000 Watts at 220 Volts A hair-dryer can consume up to 2000 Watts, like the one in the picture above, due to the high power they usually work in one voltage system; this one is suitable for 220-240 Volts systems.

You will need a step down voltage converter a device that can be plugged to 230 volts and it provides an outlet with 115 volts for your Barbados' device. You will need to pay attention to the maximum power output of the converter and the maximum power consumption of the device.

Plugs Type

Different plug systems

Different plug systems

Sorry, none of the plugs used in both countries are common. You will definitelly need plug adapters, please continue reading for more information.

Adapters

Lists of adapters you can use in your travel:

Adapter: generic

front view of generic adapter to use plugs type A, B, C, D, E, F, I, M from Barbados in outlets type G from Zambia back view of generic adapter to use plugs type A, B, C, D, E, F, I, M from Barbados in outlets type G from Zambia
Front Back

This adapter allows you to use plugs type: A, B, C, D, E, F, I, M into outlets type: G.

This is a very cheap adapter without loose terminal and finger protection; it does have earth pass-though (good); but no good grip because of so many different supported plugs. We recommend to use a more expensive option if available.

Adapter: generic

front view of generic adapter to use plugs type A, B, D, G, I, M from Barbados in outlets type C, E, F, L from Zambia back view of generic adapter to use plugs type A, B, D, G, I, M from Barbados in outlets type C, E, F, L from Zambia
Front Back

This adapter allows you to use plugs type: A, B, D, G, I, M into outlets type: C, E, F, L.

This adapter has a safety protection so you don't plug only one terminal into the adapter while touching the other with your finger, because it is generic, when you buy it pay attention to this safety mechanism. Overall a good adapter that has the earth connection pass-though (notice the metallic connector on the side.)

Adapter: generic

front view of generic adapter to use plugs type A, B from Barbados in outlets type C, E, F, L from Zambia back view of generic adapter to use plugs type A, B from Barbados in outlets type C, E, F, L from Zambia
Front Back

This adapter allows you to use plugs type: A, B into outlets type: C, E, F, L.

A good and solid adapter with earth connection pass-though; because of its construction, it has a good solid grip; On the negative side, two blades plugs are usually 110v, but the two rounded terminals are typically 220v, so please check your device to be sure they will be able to handle the correct voltage when using this adapter.

Adapters you can buy

You can buy the following multi-purpose adapters from Amazon. Please also take a look at the recommended gadgets for your trip.

Hertz

Equal Hertz

This is the perfect situation. You will not have any clock shift issue with the same Hertz.

Finally, by the way ...

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