Do i need an electrical converter in australia

A watt converter will do for small electrical appliances, like non rechargeable shavers or toothbrushes, and non-heating appliances. For heating appliances such as hair dryers, irons, coffee makers and other high-power electrical appliances you need a watt converter. To find out which converter you need, check the label on your electrical appliance for its wattage. Transformers are to be used with all rechargeable appliances for instance battery rechargers, cell phones, laptops and rechargeable shavers.

Dual-voltage: Some appliances are dual-voltage, which means they can be used with more than just one voltage level. NOTE: Laptops and battery rechargers usually come with switch-mode adapters which means they can switch an AC input V for example — check the label! They can be plugged right away into an Australian outlet with the right power plug.

And what about the frequency: can I use a 60 Hz appliance into a 50 Hz outlet? Fortunately, some appliances can operate on either a 50 Hz or 60 Hz system.

Tip: Bring a rechargeable power bank or power pack that extends a device's unplugged life like a phone or camera by many hours. These can usually be charged from anything that has a USB outlet.

This manufacturer's label indicates that the device can only run on volts so could not be used in Australia If you are planning an Australian holiday , you may need a power plug adapter if you plan to bring your own electrical appliance such as a hair dryer, shaver etc. The adapter is essential, regardless of the device.

The plastic nub bridges the design divide between one plug and the foreign socket. With it, you can use your three-pronged hair straightener in a two-holed outlet. Without it, you are stuck with curly hair. Some appliances never need a converter. Would you like to add information to this page? Please send us your suggestions or remarks.

Read our disclaimer. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. By using this website you approve of this. Read more. Australia Are you planning to visit Australia? Here are the facts. First the good news: in many cases you may not need to carry much with you at all…. Travel adapters simply allow a device from one country to be plugged into the wall outlet of another country. However, they do not convert electricity.

The plug of a Continental European appliance will not fit into an outlet in a foreign country without a plug adapter. Since a travel adapter does not convert the voltage, you have to be sure that your appliance can deal with the electricity coming out of the socket. Luckily, many travel gadgets such as laptops or phone chargers are multi or dual voltage, so you will only need a travel adapter. If your device is single voltage e. Enter the converter or transformer. Converters and transformers both step up or down the voltage, but there is a difference in use between them.

Electric products are simple heating devices or have mechanical motors. Examples are hair dryers, steam irons, shavers, toothbrushes or small fans. Additionally, most converters can only be used for ungrounded appliances 2 pins on the plug. Converters must be unplugged from the wall when not in use. Electronic products have a chip or circuit. Transformers can also be used with electric appliances and may be operated continually for many days. The advantage of converters, however, is that they are lighter and less expensive.

Computers are electronic devices and therefore they must be used with a transformer, unless they are dual voltage.

Fortunately, nowadays all laptop, tablet and phone chargers are dual voltage, so they can be used with only a travel adapter. Transformers are sold in various sizes based on how much wattage they can support.