Norway uses the Europlug (Type C and F), which has two round tips. If you are traveling from the US, you will likely need an electricity transformer or adapter for your devices to use the 220 volts of electricity coming out of the electrical outlets. Most of Scandinavia uses 220 volts.
A word about adapters, converters and transformers
If you’ve still read something about powering your devices abroad, you may have heard the terms “adapter,” “converter,” or “transformer.” Using all of these terms may sound confusing, but it really is simple. A transformer or converter is the same. That’s one less thing to worry about. Now you need to know how an adapter differs from them.
What is an adapter?
An adapter is a lot like an adapter found in the US Let’s say you have a three-prong plug, but you only have a two-prong wall socket. You put an adapter on your three prongs, which gives you a two prong end to plug into the wall. An adapter in Norway is the same. You put an adapter on your flat ends and then turn it into the two round tips that you find on the wall.
But, the important thing, before you do that, is that you need to make sure that your device can accept the 220 volts coming out of the electrical outlets in Norway. In the United States, the current coming out of our plugs is 110 volts. Most electronic devices like cell phones and laptops are designed to handle up to 220 volts of power.
To know for sure if your electrical device can accept 220 volts, check the back of your laptop (or any electrical device for power input markings). If the label near the appliance’s power cord says 100-240V or 50-60 Hz, then it is safe to use an adapter. A simple plug adapter is relatively inexpensive. Get one, put it on the end of the plug, and plug it into the outlet.
If the label near the power cord does not say that your device can go up to 220 volts, then you will need a “step-down transformer” or power converter.
Transformer or Converters
A step-down transformer or power converter reduces the 220 volts from the output to provide only 110 volts for the appliance. Due to the complexity of the converters and the simplicity of the adapters, expect to see a significant price difference between the two. Converters are considerably more expensive.
Converters have many more components that are used to change the electricity running through them. Adapters have nothing special in them, just a group of conductors that connect one end to the other to conduct electricity.
If you don’t get a transformer or converter and only use an adapter, be prepared to “fry” the internal electrical components of your device. This can render your device completely useless.
Where to get converters and adapters
Converters and adapters can be purchased in the US, online, or in electronic stores, and can be packed in your luggage. Or, you can find them at the airport in Norway, as well as in electronics stores, souvenir shops, and bookstores there.
Advice on hair dryers
Do not plan to bring any type of hair dryer to Norway. Its power consumption is extremely high and it can only be combined with correct power converters that allow you to use them with Norwegian plugs.
Instead, check with your Norwegian hotel if they will provide them, or it might even be cheaper to buy one after you arrive in Norway.
