Travel adapter for Cuba
Posted by Martin Parker on
Travel adapter for Cuba
Cuba is one of those iconic places that’s on many peoples bucket list, and now with the USA making
Located just 90 miles south of Key West in Florida, Cuba has adopted an odd mixture of electrical systems, making it important to research before
Electrical supply in Cuba
Unlike most countries that use a single electricity supply voltage, Cuba has provided two! While in the
To avoid damage to your equipment, it is essential to check what the local voltage is before connecting your device.
Will I need a power converter in Cuba?
Since Cuba offers 2 different voltage supplies, it’s very important to confirm the voltage your device will accept. Many modern devices are multi-voltage and will work in Cuba with no issues. Some are dual-voltage and you will need to move a switch on the device to allow it to work.
So how can you tell?
On dual-voltage devices, it will be obvious. There will be a switch with markings for 110V or 220V (or similar). Just make sure your device
Multi-voltage devices are even easier. On the side of the device or in the manual, look for a statement such as “INPUT: 110V to 240V”. If you see this, there is no need to check before connecting your device.
What about the electrical frequency?
In most cases, connecting a device designed for 50Hz into a 60Hz supply will probably be okay. The main issue is if the item contains timing devices that use the electricity supply as these may not work correctly. It is probably best to keep the use of such items to a minimum.
And finally, the plug type in Cuba
Being so close to America, it’s not surprising
So, type A is the standard American non-earthed plug that has two flat prongs. Type B adds a third, round pin that gives an earth connection for devices that require it.
The two European plugs are
With 4 different sockets being used on the island, it makes sense to bring a travel adapter just in case!
USB socket and the travel adapter
Many of our modern devices now use USB connections to charge, which makes life much simpler and is also another benefit of taking a travel adapter.
One of the big advantages of USB connections is that the voltage is always the same wherever you are in the world. The USB socket supplies 5Vdc whether the input voltage is 120V or 240V. This is an even more compelling reason to take a travel adapter to Cuba!
Your smartphone, tablet and maybe your camera can all
Advice
If you are
For equipment that needs a mains power supply connection, take the same travel adapter, but make sure the socket you are connecting to has the correct voltage.