Review on Insten Universal Worldwide Travel Adapter For 150+ Countries, International Power Charger, European Adapter, Wall Charger Power Plug For USA EU UK AUS Compatible W/ IPhone, IPad, Samsung Galaxy & More by Chris Nako

VALUE: At $2.89 with free shipping, this is an incredible value.CAUTION> This device does not convert voltage. Therefore be sure that your device is compatable with the local voltage.> All plugs/sockets are ungrounded, which may reduce safety> The American plug/socket are unpolarized, which may reduce safety("Grounded" American plugs are three prong plugs, 2 parallel flat power prongs plus a round ground prong. "Unpolarized" American plugs are two-pronged plugs, in which each prong is the same length. "Polarized" American plugs are the two-pronged plugs, in which the left prong is larger than the right prong)DESCRIPTION> "SURGE PROTECTED" printed on the front of the adapter, but no data is provided> 10A capacity claimed> MONITOR LIGHT: red LED glows when the adapter is plugged into an alive wall socket> SIZE: 3" x 2" x 1 1/2"PLUGS (on the "back" side, shown in the photo; top to bottom as shown in the photo)There are 3 basic plug types (plus US), which are generally known as "Australia", "United Kingdom", and "Germany">> Australia (also New Zealand, China, Thailand, Fiji, and Argentina). The prongs on this plug can be rotated to fit American sockets.>> Germany (also France, most other European countries. and Russia)>> United Kingdom (also Spain, Hong Kong, and Singapore)SOCKETS (on the "front" side, not visible in the photo)There is actually only 1 "one-size-fitz-all" ungrounded unpolorized socket---the other holes are just empty holes. Hypothetically you can plug any of the above listed plug-types into it, but the connection will not be grounded.OPERATION> The adapter comes with all the plugs retracted.> To plug the adapter into an Australia etc wall socket: 1) switch the upper green lock to "unlock", 2) the plug pops out, 3) rotate the prongs into a "V" corresponding with the wall plug; 4) MOVE SWITCH BACK TO THE "LOCK" POSITION, 5) plug into wall socket, 6) plug your device into the adapter. To retract the plug, "unlock", push the plug into the body", "lock".> To plug the adapter into an American wall socket: 1) switch the upper green lock to "unlock", 2) the plug pops out, 3) rotate the prongs parallel to each other, corresponding with the wall plug; 4) MOVE SWITCH BACK TO THE "LOCK" POSITION, 5) plug into wall socket, 6) plug your device into the adapter. To retract the plug, "unlock", push the plug into the body", "lock".> To plug the adapter into a UK etc wall socket: 1) switch the lower green lock to "unlock", 2) the plug pops out, 3) MOVE SWITCH BACK TO THE "LOCK" POSITION, 4) plug into wall socket, 4) plug your device into the adapter. To retract the plug, "unlock", push the plug into the body", "lock".> To plug the adapter into a German etc wall socket: 1) with your fingers, rotate the plug outward, 2) plug into the wall, 3) plug your device into the adapter.PROBLEM 1: Plugs don't always pop-out all the way out of the adapter> The dummy UK grounding plug often does not rotate out by itself, or the entire plug will not completely pop out of the adapter.> The Australia plug often does not pop out of the adapter all the way.> SOLUTION: Lubricate all moving parts with silicon grease. Permatex 22058 Dielectric Tune-up Grease - 3 oz. I suggest using a toothpick as an applicator, then "exercise" the parts to spread the grease into where it needs to go, then wipe off excess. Besides being a good lubricant for such use, silicon grease improves electrical connections, and is actually good for plastic and rubber products. Do you need to shake your remote control to make it work?---silicon grease will improve the contacts. Is your sink leaking?---silicon grease can recondition the seals.PROBLEM 2: Poor connection or adapter pops out of the wallDozens of 1-star reviews report poor connection or that the adapter pops out of the wall, or does not always make a good contact. I am certain that in the vast majority of cases that the reviewers failed to lock the selected plug in the "out" position. If you do not lock the plug in the "out" position, when you try to push them into the socket, you are actually pushing the plug prongs back into the adapter instead of into the wall socket. LOCK THE DESIRED PLUG IN THE "OUT" POSITION BEFORE USING.CAVEAT 1: German (etc) wall sockets are normally recessed, and I do not see how it is possible for this adapter to make a good contact.CAVEAT 2: Claims that Irish wall sockets require genuinely grounded plugs (this adapter has only a plastic dummy grounding plug) may be true.RECOMMENDATIONFor most American travelers going to Britain and Europe this is really only a replacement for two adapters. A simple grounded American to United Kingdom adapter and an simple grounded American to German adapter, together would take up little more space than this "universal" adapter, and are all that you'd need. Add a grounded American to Australia adapter, and you have all the adapters you need for anywhere in the world. Besides which, grounded connections are safer. While the concept of a "universal" adapter is appealing, individual adapters are really more convenient for the vast majority of travelers. Goldsource® GS-20 American to German Grounded Plug Adapter ; Power Bright PB-12 US to UK 3-Prong Travel Outlet Plug Adapter ; VP 23 ADAPTER PLUG - GROUNDED USA PLUG TO GROUNDED AUSTRALIAN, NEW ZEALAND AND ARGENTINA. If you have many small devices (such as MP3, telephone, tablet, etc. chargers), a compact travel power strip is recommended Monster MP OTG400 BK Outlets To Go 4 Outlet Travel Power Strip (Black) SLOW DELIVERY$2.89 with free shipping from Hong Kong (as sold by the Revain vendor I purchased the adapter from) is unbelievably inexpensive. The down side is that it takes several weeks---but if you have the time, it is definately worth while.> Click on "Stoney” just below the product title to see my other reviews, or leave a comment to ask a question.