Taiwan power adapters - what plugs are used in Taiwan?

Power Plug Adapters

Benefits of a power plug adapter

• Lightweight and compact.
• Cheapest option.
• Easy to operate.
• Using a Type B plug adapter will work in Taiwan.

Disadvantages of a power plug adapter

• One adapter for each plug - for each separate appliance you want to use you'll also need to use a separate power plug adapter.
• Adapter only modifies the actual shape of the plug to fit in a Type B Taiwanese power outlet but doesn't modify the voltage used in Taiwan. If your appliance doesn't work with 110 volts and isn't dual voltage you will still need to pack a separate voltage converter.
• Accomodation in Taiwan might only have a single wall outlet, therefore you'll only be capable of charging one device at once.
• If you need to power a USB device then you also still need to bring your domestic USB charger.
• If you plan on travelling to more than one country you might need to bring more than one type of power adapter. [3] [AD]

Universal Travel Power Adapters

Benefits of a universal travel power adapter

• Most models are designed to function in over 150 different countries.
• All in one design - small and lightweight.
• Some universal travel adapters also include multiple charging ports for USB devices built in.
• Straightforward operation.
• Some models will have a surge protector, this will protect your electronics from being overpowered by an unstable power grid.
• The retractable pins won't catch against other items in your luggage.
• It could potentially be of use domestically as a USB charger.
• Changes shape to Types A/B, E/F, G and I plugs so will work with a Taiwanese power outlet.

Disadvantages of a universal travel power adapter

• Universal power adapters will overload when used with a high powered appliance; for example hair straighteners, microwaves, kettles, hair dryers or curling irons.
• The internal moving parts might be fragile on some models making them prone to breaking on your trip.
• Only provide power to one plug.
• Not fully universal; adapters might not cover certain countries with less popular outlets.
• Lacking an in-built power converter will mean it isn't suitable for electrical devices which don't support 110 volts in Taiwan. [6] [AD]

Travel USB Wall Chargers

Benefits of a travel USB wall charger

• Perfect when you only need to power devices which use USB.
• You will only have to pack one unit instead of packing lots of domestic power chargers.
• Supplied with swappable adapter heads making them useful in a large number of countries. The interchangeable adapter heads are usually small and lightweight which makes them easy to store.
• Most models have a surge protector.
• It should still be of use domestically.
• The swappable heads fit into Types A/B, E/F, G and I outlets so will work with a Taiwanese power outlet.

Disadvantages of a travel USB wall charger

• As they only have USB outputs you won't be able to charge any appliances, just USB powered ones. [7] [AD]

Travel Power Strips

Benefits of a travel power strip

• Able to power more than one electronic appliance or device at once using just one power outlet.
• Some models of travel power strips offer voltage conversation for lower wattage electronics. So therefore if the device isn't dual voltage it should still be used with a Taiwanese power outlet by using just a travel power strip. This can make them a cheap lightweight substitute for a dedicated voltage converter.
• Most power strips also include a number of USB charge ports.
• Voltage from power grids in certain countries might be tempremental, a power surge can damage your electronics. Some models will include a surge protector, this will protect your device from being overpowered.
• It could potentially be of use domestically.
• US and Canadian power strips include Type A, B, D, E/F, G, H, I, L and N plug adapters so should work in Taiwan.

Disadvantages of a travel power strip

• Unlike dedicated power converters, the conversion on travel power strips doesn't support high wattage appliances such as hair dryers or clothes irons.
• Because of the size of a travel power strip it might be unsuitable for hand luggage.
• A travel power strip might be excessive if you only bring a small number of appliances and devices which need charging. [8] [AD]

Plug Adapter Sets

Benefits of a plug adapter set

• An adapter set works out more cost-effective than purchasing multiple individual plug adapters for multiple trips.
• Ensures you are covered for every eventuality and not just a Taiwanese power outlet.
• Suitable if you are travelling to multiple countries.
• Includes Type A, B, C, D, E/F, G, H, I, J, L, M and N adapters so will operate in Taiwan.

Disadvantages of a plug adapter set

• Will involve planning - prior to any trip you will need to choose which adapters to bring in advance, if you don't know every country you'll be visiting you'll need to bring every power adapter type with you.
• Lots individual adapters to bring.
• With just a single compatible power adapter working in Taiwan the remaining power adapters will be redundant and using up space.
• Not all power adapter types are typically included with the set (especially the less common adapters) - so ensure that your set has one that is compatible in Taiwan.
• Only changes the shape of the plug to fit in a Taiwanese power outlet but not the actual voltage. [9] [AD]

Voltage Converters

Benefits of a voltage converter

• A step up voltage converter will let travellers to use their non-110 volt electronics with a 110 volt power outlet in Taiwan.
• Voltage converters have a built in surge protector that will protect your electronics from being overpowered by the wrong voltage.

Disadvantages of a voltage converter

• Only changes the 110 volts in Taiwan and won't change the shape of the plug to slot in a Taiwanese power outlet, so you will still need to use the right type of power adapter.
• The typical weight of most models makes them unsuitable for packing in carry-on luggage.
• Useless after your visit to Taiwan.
• Usually less expensive to buy a dual voltage travel appliance than to purchase a much more expensive power converter simply to power your existing domestic appliance abroad.

How well do solar chargers work in Taiwan?

The daylight in Taiwan should be suitable enough to charge solar power bank dependably, but will need to be exposed to strong daylight in order to produce suitable power for a single charge cycle. It might prove inconvenient to constantly unpack a solar power bank and wait whilst it recharges in sunny spells.

• Instead, the larger solar panels used on a solar backpack give the backpack the ability to create more power within a shorter period of time and might still generate power when overcast, meaning they should perform well in Taiwan.
• Phones that have been directly plugged into a USB charging port of a backpack will trickle charge the power during sunny periods in Taiwan, but could be inconvenient to have it constantly connected to the bag during the day if it is to be needed frequently. A regular power bank plugged into a solar backpack can be continuously recharged inside the bag during the day, afterwards the phone can be recharged from the power bank without needing the bag.
• Even though the climate in Taiwan is suitable for solar, a bag should have a solar cell efficiency of 22% or greater, be able to generate a minimum of 6 watts of energy and includes a compatible power bank of 10,000mAH or greater. Unlike normal firm solar cells, the flexible and durable cells used in solar powered bags are made to survive bending and scratching. They are available in laptop messenger, rucksack and backpack styles which makes them ideal 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)
• timeanddate.com - Weather Around the World (cited May 2018)

What voltage is my device?

The best way to see if your appliance is dual voltage is to check for numbers printed on the existing power adapter, or on the unit itself, normally on the rear of the unit or near to where the power cord plugs into. This location will depend on the make or model of your appliance and could also be written in the instruction manual or on the box.

• Single voltage devices might say a specific number - such as 240V.
• Single voltage devices might also have a small voltage range (around 20 volts) with a dash to accomodate small voltage fluctuations - such as 220-240V.
• Dual voltage devices will typically say a large range separated with a slash - such as 110/240V.

How many devices will you be taking to Taiwan?

• Try adding up how many items you intended on bringing with you to Taiwan (such as tablets, laptops, cell phones, eReaders, hair dryers or clothes irons).
  • Remember to allow for more electrical devices at a later date. Do you intend on purchasing a new laptop computer soon?
  • There is an increasing amount of rechargeable electronics such as electric shavers that utilise a USB port as a power source. The if you buy a new device it might need a USB adapter so remember to ensure your travel adapter has enough spare ports to support these too.
• Are you bringing family to Taiwan that will need to charge their iPads?

Do your devices only work with 110 volt power outlets?

• The voltage in Taiwan is 110 volts, if you come from a country which isn't 110 volts and you're not using a dual voltage appliance (how to tell) then you will either need to use a bulky voltage converter or a power strip with a built in voltage converter.
• It could be more expensive buying a voltage converter instead of using a dual voltage travel appliance (for example a dual voltage hair dryer, clothes iron, curling iron or hair straighteners for Taiwan) which is robustly designed for travel and often includes plug adapters.

Are you only charging USB devices?

• If you plan to use USB devices such as mobile phones to use in Taiwan then it is recommended to just pack a travel USB wall charger.
• If you only use a simple power plug adapter in Taiwan you will still need to use your domestic USB charger too. [7] [AD]

How much can you afford?

• A cheap power adapter which charges only one device in Taiwan (providing that it is dual voltage or is compatible with 110 volts) however investing in a little more will allow you to power more than one device at once and you can use them in various countries.

Are you only bringing hand luggage?

• Due to the larger weight most models of power converters and travel power strips might be way too heavy and bulky for carrying in hand baggage, consider packing either a lightweight universal power adapter or USB wall charger. [6] [AD]

Do you still need use your charger when returning home?

• Most travel USB wall chargers and travel power strips could also function when you return back home (if they also include a domestic plug).