Canada to Togo power adapters - what kind of plug adapter is needed for Togo?

Power Plug Adapters

Benefits of a power plug adapter

• Straightforward design makes the power adapter easy to operate.
• Compact and light.
• Cheapest option.
• Bringing a Type C plug adapter will work in Togo.

Disadvantages of a power plug adapter

• Some hotel rooms might only have a single power outlet, so you will only be able to power a single appliance at a time.
• If you intend on visiting more than one country then you may need to pack multiple plug adapter types for other countries.
• Only alters the actual shape of the plug to fit in a Type C Togolese power outlet and doesn't modify the actual voltage. So if your appliance doesn't work with a 220 volt outlet and isn't dual voltage then you will still need to pack a separate voltage converter.
• If you need to charge any USB device then you also still need to bring your domestic USB charger as well.
• 1 adapter per device - for every device you'll also need to bring a separate power adapter. [3] [AD]

Travel Power Strips

Benefits of a travel power strip

• You will find certain models are able to convert voltage for low wattage devices. So therefore if your electronic device isn't dual voltage it can still work with a Togolese power outlet when using a travel power strip. This can make a travel power strip a cheap and lightweight substitute for a power converter.
• A travel power strip is able to power more than one device simultaneously from just one power outlet.
• Most power strips should include a number of USB charge ports.
• The voltage from power outlets in some countries could be unstable, a surge in power might damage your devices. There are some power strips which have a surge protector built in, this will protect any device from being overloaded.
• A power strip should still be of use domestically as a USB charger and power strip.

Disadvantages of a travel power strip

• Not supplied with a specific plug adapter for Togo therefore you should bring an additional power adapter for a Togolese power outlet as well .
• The conversion on travel power strips doesn't support higher wattage appliances such as clothes irons or hair dryers.
• Due to their size and weight power strips might be too bulky for hand luggage.
• A travel power strip could be excessive if you only have a small number of appliances and devices to charge. [6] [AD]

Universal Travel Power Adapters

Benefits of a universal travel power adapter

• Easy to use.
• An all in one design which is both lightweight and small.
• There are some universal travel adapters that include a surge protector built in, this will protect any device from being overloaded by an unstable power grid.
• The pins retract so won't get caught against other items in your luggage.
• A universal travel power adapter can be of use back at home as a USB charger.
• There are some universal travel power adapters which have multiple charging ports for USB devices built in.

Disadvantages of a universal travel power adapter

• Even though typical universal travel adapters are designed to function in over 150 countries the pins don't change shape to fit in a Togolese power outlet. You will still need to plug a universal travel adapter into a separate power plug adapter for a Togolese power outlet if you want to use universal travel adapter to benefit from surge protection and powering multiple items from one power outlet.
• Can't be used with high powered appliances - for example hair straighteners, vacuum cleaners, kettles, hair dryers or curling irons.
• They lack a built in voltage converter meaning they aren't suitable for non-220 volt electrical appliances in Togo.
• A universal travel power adapter might not be completely universal; models might not work in certain countries with less common outlets.
• Shutters and other internal moving parts could be fragile on some universal travel adapters making them likely to possibily fail whilst abroad.
• Only charges one plug. [7] [AD]

Travel USB Wall Chargers

Benefits of a travel USB wall charger

• Perfect when you only have to charge devices which use USB.
• You only have to bring a single unit instead of packing multiple domestic USB power chargers.
• Supplied with interchangeable adapter heads which make them versatile in a large number of different locations. Interchangeable adapter heads are typically lightweight and small making them easy to store.
• Travel USB wall chargers also have a surge protector built in which will protect any electronics from being overloaded by unstable power grids.
• It could still be of use when you return to Canada.

Disadvantages of a travel USB wall charger

• The interchangeable heads don't include one which is compatible with a Togolese power outlet - therefore you'll still need to bring a separate power plug adapter.
• Restricted to USB ports so you will be unable to charge any electrical appliances, only USB devices. [8] [AD]

Plug Adapter Sets

Benefits of a plug adapter set

• A set will typically work out more cost-effective than buying multiple plug adapters.
• By bringing every type of plug adapter ensures that you are covered for every country.
• Perfect if you are travelling to different locations.
• Includes Type A, B, C, D, E/F, G, H, I, J, L, M and N adapters so should be compatible with a Togolese power outlet.

Disadvantages of a plug adapter set

• Involves planning; prior to any trip you'll have to decide which plug adapters they'll need, if you don't know every country you'll be visiting you'll need to bring each adapter type along.
• Lots individual items to bring with you.
• The remaining power adapters will be useless using up space.
• Not every plug adapter types are typically included (especially rarer adapters), so check that your set includes an adapter which works with a Togolese power outlet.
• Only modifies the shape of the plug but doesn't change the voltage. [9] [AD]

Voltage Converters

Benefits of a voltage converter

• A step down voltage converter allows you to power your non-220 volt electronics with a 220 volt Togolese power outlet.
• A voltage converter includes a built in surge protector that will protect any device from being overloaded by the wrong voltage.

Disadvantages of a voltage converter

• A voltage converter only converts the 220 volts in Togo and won't change the actual shape of the plug to fit into a Togolese power outlet, therefore you'll still need to use a suitable power adapter for Togo.
• The normal weight of most models of voltage converters makes them way too bulky for packing in carry-on luggage.
• Redundant after your visit to Togo.
• Usually much cheaper to purchase a dual voltage travel appliance than to buy a much more expensive voltage converter simply to bring your existing single voltage domestic appliance in an incompatible location.
• Canadian travellers going to Togo will need a voltage converter as the voltage is 220 volts. [10] [AD]

How well do solar powered chargers work in Togo?

The sunshine in Togo should be suitable enough to recharge solar power bank reliability, but will need to be exposed to strong sunshine to provide adequate power for a single charge cycle. It could prove inconvenient to continually unpack a solar power bank then wait whilst it recharges in sunny spells.

• The bigger durable panels used on a solar backpack give the bag the ability to create more electricity within a faster period of time, making them ideal for the weather in Togo.
• A phone that has been directly plugged into a USB port of a solar backpack can trickle charge the power during sunny spells in Togo, but this might be inconvenient to have a phone continuously connected in the bag during the day if it is to be used constantly. Unlike a small solar power bank which needs to be unpacked and facing the sunlight, a solar bag is usually exposed to sunlight therefore will be topping up a regular power bank during the day.
• Even though the sunlight in Togo is strong, a bag should ideally have a solar cell efficiency of 22% or more, be able to generate at least 6 watts of power and be used with a compatible power bank of 10,000mAH or greater.
• The durable and flexible solar cells used in solar powered bags are designed to endure bending and scratches, unlike normal firm solar cells. Solar bags come in backpack, laptop messenger and rucksack styles which makes them perfect 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)
• WikiPedia - List of countries by average yearly temperature (cited May 2018, data averaged between 1961 to 1990)

How can I tell if I have a dual voltage or single voltage appliance?

The best way to tell if a appliance is either dual or single voltage is to look for numbers printed on the supplied power adapter or on the appliance itself, normally on the rear or near to where the power cord sits. The location might depend on the make or model of your unit, it should also state on the box.

• Single voltage devices could say a specific number - such as 110V.
• Single voltage devices could also have a small voltage range (around 20 volts) with a dash to accomodate small voltage fluctuations - such as 100-120V.
• Dual voltage devices will normally say a larger voltage range separated with a slash - such as 110/240V.

What different types of electrical devices do you want to use?

• There are 3 types of electrical devices:
  • Low wattage electrical items that can be plugged into an electrical outlet - for example a laptop.
  • High wattage appliances that can be plugged into a power outlet - for example hair dryers and curling irons.
  • USB devices which can be plugged into a USB port - for example phones and tablets.
• When you only need to bring along just USB powered devices to Togo you'll find that a simple travel USB charger is ideal because you will only need to bring one lightweight charger along with appropriate existing charging cables and leave your domestic chargers at home.
• Travel power strips are made for powering and voltage conversion for several low wattage devices (such as laptops), however won't work with high wattage appliances which need voltage conversion.

How many power outlets will be available when you get to Togo?

• Your hotel may have only one power outlet on the wall, this will be an issue when recharging more than one device overnight because you can only recharge a single device at a time then need to swap every few hours.
• To charge more than one device at the same time we suggest packing either a USB wall charger or a travel power strip which are capable of charging multiple USB ports or power outlets. [6] [AD]

Do your devices and appliances work with 220 volt power outlets?

• The voltage in Togo is 220 volts, if you originate from a country that isn't 220 volts and you don't have a dual voltage appliance (how you can tell) then you'll either need to pack a bulky power converter or a lighter power strip with a built in voltage converter.
• It can be costlier to buy a power converter than using a dual voltage travel appliance (such as a dual voltage hair dryer, clothes iron, hair straighteners or curling iron for Togo) which is designed for travel and often includes an assortment of plug adapters.

Are you planning to visit anywhere else abroad in the future?

• A USB wall charger with interchangeable heads or versatile universal travel adapter can potentially be reused for other trips in the future to other countries.

Do you intend on only bringing hand luggage?

• Due to the increased weight and size most models of voltage converters and power strips can be way too heavy and bulky for packing in carry-on luggage, consider packing either a universal travel power adapter or USB wall charger instead. [7] [AD]