dazla77

hi, has anyone bought their uk fridge freezers over with them, if so have you changed the plugs on them. at the moment we`re using adaptors, which is getting to be a pain because of the size of them and it also ays on the adaptors that they are only for temporary use and that they`re not supposed to be used on class one electricals, i.e. fridges and tv`s. ive looked at a few plugs in bunnings and they dont have fuses in them like the uk ones, also whats the difference with the 2 pin and 3 pin plugs they have here.....any answers greatly received, thanks.

Pollyana

Aussie plugs don't have fuses.

Depending on which State you are in ou may need to get an electirican in to change the plugs or it could invalidate your home insurance (Qld in particular).
I'd just keep using the adapters - many of us that have been here years still run on adapters. My new unit looks like a spaghetti factory with adapters and powerboards everywhere - a 2 bedroom unit with only ONE plug socket in each room - except the kitchen where they have been generous and given me two.

sonlymewalter

The subject of changing plugs always gets people excited mate

Here's a link from the search button which is interesting

See post 25 for which tells you about the wiring and which wires go where

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...stralia&page=5

steve`o

3 pin earthed 2 pin unearthed

no they dont have cartridge fuses but to be honest with mcb`s and rcds they are redundant anyway ( typical trip speed of a cartridge fuse is way slower than either the mcb or rcd so in the presence of a fault current the powers off before the cartridge fuses even thinks about blowing )

i always recommend that the plugs be changed, adaptors can be dangerous especially on items that take larger loads ie toasters kettles etc so only use your adaptors for items with built in plug / transformers ( phones etc ) and then only use a UK multisocket extension with an australian plug top on the lead, what ever you do dont use travel adaptors they are just about the worst with many types not having an earth pin

regards steve

coolerkingcooler

Some of my favourite threads are the plug ones

Cooler

joho

We brought 4 way adaptors and therefore only had to adapt one plug for each adaptor. I have some spare somewhere as most of my stuff is now aussie plugged.

Jo

coolerkingcooler

Funny, as we have moved out of our house and are living with friends this has slipped my mind. All I can think about is when is the visa coming and how am I going to keep the kids DS's charged.

Cooler

The_Pom_From_Aus

dazla77;

you can buy 10amp plugs at bunnings & change them, its an easy job, if you phone energy safe in the state your living ask them if its a requirement to have a licensed electrician to do this job or can you do it yourself. if the latter then get the plugs & do it yourself

seat151

UK four way mains block, put an Aussie plug on the end of it. Job done. You have 4 uk sockets and 1 Aussie plug

Amazulu

Fused plugs are a legacy system from before fast trip RCDs and are no longer needed really. Your property should be fitted with RCD (if you are buying or renting a property it has to have RCD fitted).
2 pin plugs are fitted to appliances that are double insulated ie you cannot come into contact with any part of an appliance that could cause a shock. UK plugs on appliances that are DI sometimes have a plastic earth pin as this is needed to open the socket mechanism. Rewireable plugs that you can buy in Bunnings will always have 3 pins - just connect L and N correctly and you will be sweet.

The_Pom_From_Aus

seat151;

if your using power boards from the Uk you stand a good chance of overloading the board, i would be getting the correct 10Amp plug tops & change them all over, after all you don't want a fire in the home.???

Amazulu

I don't think so. UK power boards are rated for 13A and the good ones will have a built in circuit breaker. Australian socket circuits are protected by 16A or 20A MCBs and the wiring will be rated for at least 20A as a bare minimum (usually a lot more). So if UK power board has a CB, that will trip first. If not the MCB in the distribution board will trip, protecting the circuit.

The_Pom_From_Aus

Amazulu;

your correct in what you say but most people go for the cheap brands not the one your talking about,

Amazulu

Even with the cheaper ones without a CB, the MCB and RCD will protect the circuit if it has been wired correctly.

The_Pom_From_Aus

Amazulu;

RCD wont protect from current overload, only earth leakage from Active or Neutral to earth