Lettik

A dumb question probably - got a stack of electrical stuff that I'd prefer to ship with along with everything else rather than buying all new- I know the voltage is the same. The plugs are different, will adaptors suffice?

Blossom

It's no big job changing plugs when you get there... That is what I intend to do. I have a load of 4 and 6 plug boards and will just change the end plugs to start and will then spend a couple of hours eventually changing every plug!

tawkins1

Bring a few extension leads & change the plug on that. Thats what i've been advised to do anyway

Oz Rascal

Interesting topic - is there any item this wouldn't work on? Just to clarify, basically, you change the plug on the 4-way extension and then just use your normal 3 pin plugs on the actual appliances, have I got it right?

Now I feel really dim, but does Aus wiring not have the earth wire?

steve`o

dont use adaptors unless you have to
( phones chargers etc where the trannies built into the plug top being one of the exeptions )
why ? because a lot ( WELL MOST ) adaptors dont have an earth pin meaning if theres a problem your gears not earthed



regards steve

Red_V_Roger

All the advice above very correct. We bought a job lot of adapters off ebay before we came. I changed the plugs on earthed equipment like washing machine etc and for teh rest, mainly just changed the plug on a 4 way extension.

I wonder why Oz & NZ plugs are so different..I would have thought that they would have used UK style plugs like other former UK places e.g. Hong Kong

The Woodcutter

Thanks for your advice Steve. We have been in Oz 20 months and still use quite a few adaptors. Is it just a simple case of replacing the English plugs with Australian plugs?

wmoore

Yes. I would also recommend using surge protectors on valuable kit like computers, TVs, etc.

steve`o

you can ge a surge protected multiway board c/w 8 aussie sockets usb and cat 5 sockets for about 40 bucks at bunnings at tat cost its cheap enough to protect the old pc

wmoore

I've got cheaper adapters on things like printers and telephones but I got the more expensive ones from Dick Smith for the more expensive kit - the adapters with the $3k insurance included.

tiger222

Steve -

Any advice? We're coming from the US with 1 PC, printer, VCR and Analog TV (we're selling the other electrical things and buying new when we arrive). Questions, what kind of coverters do we need since the appliances all work ob 120 and not 220? Do analog TVs still work in OZ?

wmoore

Analog TVs do work, though if yours is US bought, it will be NTSC and Australia uses PAL. Although you can make it work with a digital receiver, I'm not sure about power. To be honest I would flog the TV and VCR and get new here in your situation. Your PC will most likely have a switch on the back to change from 120V to 220V, so all you will need is a new power lead ($5-8 from any computer shop). Most small home printers will have some sort of transformer that will work on any voltage between 100-250V - check the label on the back of it for the input voltage range. If yours does, then it will work with an adapter here.

The Woodcutter

Many thanks to the various contributers to this thread. I have found the information very useful.

MartinLuther

The current Aussie sockets are older (late 30s) than the current British sockets (late 40s).

Red_V_Roger

Thanks - just one of those things I have wondered from time to time....