[diamond]

hi,

i have a question about electrical items and plugs in australia. do you know if you can take you tv, fridge, hairdryer even from the uk and simply change the plug or is this not safe. will the telly work.

[FamousFive]

I didn't bring a TV but I can tell you from my own experience that the rest of the stuff you mention will work after you've fitted an Australian plug. Australia's voltage and frequencies are the same as the British ones.

This map below is quite useful. You can see that Britain is in the blue zone of countries with mains supply of 220 - 240 V and 50 Hz. Most of the rest of the world, including Australia is in this zone. General electrical equipment from one "blue" country will work in every other "blue" country provided its got the right-shaped plug on it. Its actually a pity that all of the countries operating on the same mains supply don't agree on a single type of plug. It would make life a lot easier for manufacturers and consumers everywhere I'm sure.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab322/FamousFiveOz/internat-elect.jpg

[scotty]

Lovely picture!!

Yes I've been told that all you have to so is change the plugs over – I think that there may be some issues with the TV depending on how old it is, but everything else should work OK.

[FamousFive]

If you're like us and move with computers, printers, speakers, etc, rather than changing each plug individually, you could bring over a few British type socket boards like these:

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab322/FamousFiveOz/brit-socket-board.jpg

Then remove the British type plug and replace it with an Australian plug like the one below:

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab322/FamousFiveOz/aus-plug.jpg

Then you can plug the socket board into the Australian mains and plug all your UK electrical gear into the board.

[diamond]

thanks for all the wonderful info. :) i'm still not sure about the tv but it looks as though everything elso is fine!

[Gabriella8]

Thanks famous five for this info. I have electronics that I bought from the US, Philippines, HK & Japan and they are all working properly here.

[PhillipaW]

That adapter looks like a good idea!

[PamInPerth]

That adapter looks like a good idea!

One of the 'must have's' if you are moving to Aus with all you electrical items. Bring several adapters, as it will save you from endless changing plugs over when you first arrive.