Electrical Power in Australia and NZ

Electrical Power in Australia and NZ

I live in the US, where we have 120V 60 cycle electrical power. What
is used in Australia and NZ? Is it 240V 50, as in most of Europe, or
something else? My laptop can use either, and I have a plug converter
for Australia, but do I also need a transformer?

Also will my US-to-Australia plug connector work in NZ, or do I need a
different one there?

Thanks.

--
Ken Blake
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Re: Electrical Power in Australia and NZ

Since you have an adapter [ / \] plug, thats all you'll need. Look on your
laptop Powersupply/charger specifications plate/decal. You should see:

input 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz or similar which covers North Americas 115-120/60
Hz and Aussies 240V/50Hz as well.

Their system worked fine with my Dell North American laptop and Philishave
(cordless) razor chargers.

Dont try to plug in anything from "over here" like a blow dryer or electric
razor that doesnt have its own "power supply"/transformer though...

It'll work..run FAST. but for a very short time


>I live in the US, where we have 120V 60 cycle electrical power. What
> is used in Australia and NZ? Is it 240V 50, as in most of Europe, or
> something else? My laptop can use either, and I have a plug converter
> for Australia, but do I also need a transformer?

Re: Electrical Power in Australia and NZ

On Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:37:32 GMT, "Rudy" <NoSpam@no-onehome . net >
wrote:

> Since you have an adapter [ / \] plug, thats all you'll need. Look on your
> laptop Powersupply/charger specifications plate/decal. You should see:
>
> input 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz or similar which covers North Americas 115-120/60
> Hz and Aussies 240V/50Hz as well.


Thanks. That takes care of Australia. What about NZ? Is that the same?



> Their system worked fine with my Dell North American laptop and Philishave
> (cordless) razor chargers.
>
> Dont try to plug in anything from "over here" like a blow dryer or electric
> razor that doesnt have its own "power supply"/transformer though...


Yes thanks, I know.




> It'll work..run FAST. but for a very short time
>
>
> >I live in the US, where we have 120V 60 cycle electrical power. What
> > is used in Australia and NZ? Is it 240V 50, as in most of Europe, or
> > something else? My laptop can use either, and I have a plug converter
> > for Australia, but do I also need a transformer?
>

--
Ken Blake
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Re: Electrical Power in Australia and NZ

Ken Blake <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> writes:

>I live in the US, where we have 120V 60 cycle electrical power. What
>is used in Australia and NZ? Is it 240V 50, as in most of Europe, or
>something else? My laptop can use either, and I have a plug converter
>for Australia, but do I also need a transformer?

Yes it's 240 VAC, 50 Hz nominal. The variance is generally specified to be
+/- 10 VAC so in reality the nominal voltage, depending where you are and
what sort of loads are on the local supply grid, will be anywhere between
230 and 250 VAC.

If your laptop has a power supply that works with both supply types, all you
need is the right mains cord with an Australian 3-pin plug to connect your
laptop to an Australian GPO (general purpose outlet).

>Also will my US-to-Australia plug connector work in NZ, or do I need a
>different one there?

I believe the voltage in NZ is the same as here, but the plug is different.
Might be wrong.

Craig.
--
Craig Dewick - HO-Scale Railway Modeller and Professional Train Manager at
* lios.apana.org.au/~craigd or craigd@lios.apana.org.au if you're game!
More good stuff at RailZone Australia - * w w w .railzone.org - No Fundies!
* lios.apana.org.au/mailman/listinfo/aus_rail_safety for Oz Rail Safety

Re: Electrical Power in Australia and NZ


"C. Dewick" <craigd@lios.apana.org.au> wrote in message
news:fv5dan$sjc$3@yoda.apana.org.au...
> Ken Blake <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> writes:
>
<snip>

>
>>Also will my US-to-Australia plug connector work in NZ, or do I need a
>>different one there?
>
> I believe the voltage in NZ is the same as here, but the plug is
> different.
> Might be wrong.

Plug is the same in NZ and Aus.

Re: Electrical Power in Australia and NZ

On Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:18:11 GMT, "PeeKay"
<mrnobody@nowhere . com > wrote:

>
>"C. Dewick" <craigd@lios.apana.org.au> wrote in message
>news:fv5dan$sjc$3@yoda.apana.org.au...
>> Ken Blake <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> writes:
>>
><snip>
>
>>
>>>Also will my US-to-Australia plug connector work in NZ, or do I need a
>>>different one there?
>>
>> I believe the voltage in NZ is the same as here, but the plug is
>> different.
>> Might be wrong.
>
>Plug is the same in NZ and Aus.
>
>
And looks like:

/ \

|


Cheers, Alan, Australia
--
* loraltravel.blogspot . com /
latest: Wandering Again...

Re: Electrical Power in Australia and NZ




On 4/28/08 3:52 PM, in article o6lc14hs8faf8kdad12drta62e81ovl47l@4ax . com ,
"Alan S" <nothere@there . com > wrote:

> On Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:18:11 GMT, "PeeKay"
> <mrnobody@nowhere . com > wrote:
>
>>
>> "C. Dewick" <craigd@lios.apana.org.au> wrote in message
>> news:fv5dan$sjc$3@yoda.apana.org.au...
>>> Ken Blake <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> writes:
>>>
>> <snip>
>>
>>>
>>>> Also will my US-to-Australia plug connector work in NZ, or do I need a
>>>> different one there?
>>>
>>> I believe the voltage in NZ is the same as here, but the plug is
>>> different.
>>> Might be wrong.
>>
>> Plug is the same in NZ and Aus.
>>
>>
> And looks like:
>
> / \
>
> |
>
>
> Cheers, Alan, Australia
> --
> * loraltravel.blogspot . com /
> latest: Wandering Again...

Hurray! Something besides spam. I thought rec.travel.australia+nz had gone
the way of all flesh!

--
Martha Canada

Re: Electrical Power in Australia and NZ

On Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:52:22 +1000, Alan S <nothere@there . com > wrote:

> On Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:18:11 GMT, "PeeKay"
> <mrnobody@nowhere . com > wrote:
>
> >
> >"C. Dewick" <craigd@lios.apana.org.au> wrote in message
> >news:fv5dan$sjc$3@yoda.apana.org.au...
> >> Ken Blake <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> writes:
> >>
> ><snip>
> >
> >>
> >>>Also will my US-to-Australia plug connector work in NZ, or do I need a
> >>>different one there?
> >>
> >> I believe the voltage in NZ is the same as here, but the plug is
> >> different.
> >> Might be wrong.
> >
> >Plug is the same in NZ and Aus.
> >
> >
> And looks like:
>
> / \
>
> |


Yes, thanks, I know. As I said, I have an adapter.


--
Ken Blake
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Re: Electrical Power in Australia and NZ

On Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:18:11 GMT, "PeeKay" <mrnobody@nowhere . com >
wrote:

>
> "C. Dewick" <craigd@lios.apana.org.au> wrote in message
> news:fv5dan$sjc$3@yoda.apana.org.au...
> > Ken Blake <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> writes:
> >
> <snip>
>
> >
> >>Also will my US-to-Australia plug connector work in NZ, or do I need a
> >>different one there?
> >
> > I believe the voltage in NZ is the same as here, but the plug is
> > different.
> > Might be wrong.
>
> Plug is the same in NZ and Aus.


Thanks very much.


--
Ken Blake
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Re: Electrical Power in Australia and NZ

On Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:50:31 +0000 (UTC), C. Dewick
<craigd@lios.apana.org.au> wrote:

>Ken Blake <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> writes:
>
>>I live in the US, where we have 120V 60 cycle electrical power. What
>>is used in Australia and NZ? Is it 240V 50, as in most of Europe, or
>>something else? My laptop can use either, and I have a plug converter
>>for Australia, but do I also need a transformer?
>
>Yes it's 240 VAC, 50 Hz nominal. The variance is generally specified to be
>+/- 10 VAC so in reality the nominal voltage, depending where you are and
>what sort of loads are on the local supply grid, will be anywhere between
>230 and 250 VAC.
>
>If your laptop has a power supply that works with both supply types, all you
>need is the right mains cord with an Australian 3-pin plug to connect your
>laptop to an Australian GPO (general purpose outlet).
>
>>Also will my US-to-Australia plug connector work in NZ, or do I need a
>>different one there?
>
>I believe the voltage in NZ is the same as here, but the plug is different.
>Might be wrong.
>
>Craig.
No, in NZ the plug is the same as used in Australia, and, to be
pedantic, the voltage is 230V +/-6% 50Hz.

--
Regards
Malcolm
Remove sharp objects to get a valid e-mail address

Re: Electrical Power in Australia and NZ

Malcolm Moore wrote:
> On Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:50:31 +0000 (UTC), C. Dewick
> <craigd@lios.apana.org.au> wrote:
>
>
>>Ken Blake <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> writes:
>>
>>
>>>I live in the US, where we have 120V 60 cycle electrical power. What
>>>is used in Australia and NZ? Is it 240V 50, as in most of Europe, or
>>>something else? My laptop can use either, and I have a plug converter
>>>for Australia, but do I also need a transformer?
>>
>>Yes it's 240 VAC, 50 Hz nominal. The variance is generally specified to be
>>+/- 10 VAC so in reality the nominal voltage, depending where you are and
>>what sort of loads are on the local supply grid, will be anywhere between
>>230 and 250 VAC.
>>
>>If your laptop has a power supply that works with both supply types, all you
>>need is the right mains cord with an Australian 3-pin plug to connect your
>>laptop to an Australian GPO (general purpose outlet).
>>
>>
>>>Also will my US-to-Australia plug connector work in NZ, or do I need a
>>>different one there?
>>
>>I believe the voltage in NZ is the same as here, but the plug is different.
>>Might be wrong.
>>
>>Craig.
>
> No, in NZ the plug is the same as used in Australia, and, to be
> pedantic, the voltage is 230V +/-6% 50Hz.

indeed. although +/- 6% is laughable when at the end of a long dangly
wire. back in my videogame days in the 80s we used 2kVA 10% or 15% boost
autotransformers to drive the arcade games in places like murupara,
where I have measured line voltages as low as 180Vrms

>
> --
> Regards
> Malcolm
> Remove sharp objects to get a valid e-mail address

Cheers
Terry

Re: Electrical Power in Australia and NZ

On Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:34:23 +1200, Malcolm Moore
<abor1953needle@yahoodagger.co.nz> wrote:

>On Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:50:31 +0000 (UTC), C. Dewick
><craigd@lios.apana.org.au> wrote:
>
>>Ken Blake <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> writes:
>>
>>>I live in the US, where we have 120V 60 cycle electrical power. What
>>>is used in Australia and NZ? Is it 240V 50, as in most of Europe, or
>>>something else? My laptop can use either, and I have a plug converter
>>>for Australia, but do I also need a transformer?
>>
>>Yes it's 240 VAC, 50 Hz nominal. The variance is generally specified to be
>>+/- 10 VAC so in reality the nominal voltage, depending where you are and
>>what sort of loads are on the local supply grid, will be anywhere between
>>230 and 250 VAC.
>>
>>If your laptop has a power supply that works with both supply types, all you
>>need is the right mains cord with an Australian 3-pin plug to connect your
>>laptop to an Australian GPO (general purpose outlet).
>>
>>>Also will my US-to-Australia plug connector work in NZ, or do I need a
>>>different one there?
>>
>>I believe the voltage in NZ is the same as here, but the plug is different.
>>Might be wrong.
>>
>>Craig.
>No, in NZ the plug is the same as used in Australia, and, to be
>pedantic, the voltage is 230V +/-6% 50Hz.

whereas in Aus it is 240V +/- 6% 50Hz

Re: Electrical Power in Australia and NZ

On Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:06:23 +0800, rebel <me@privacy . net > wrote:

>On Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:34:23 +1200, Malcolm Moore
><abor1953needle@yahoodagger.co.nz> wrote:
>>No, in NZ the plug is the same as used in Australia, and, to be
>>pedantic, the voltage is 230V +/-6% 50Hz.
>
>whereas in Aus it is 240V +/- 6% 50Hz

To be really pedantic, Aus has harmonised it's voltage with the
Europeans and your supply is now specified as 230V +10%-6%, the same
as the UK. The practical effect at present is zilch and your nominal
supply remains 240V, but the lower limit of acceptable is now 216V.
See

< * w w w .acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_1988>

and for how one supply authority handles it, see page eight of
<w w w .countryenergy . com .au/internet/cewebpub.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/cek8026.pdf/$FILE/cek8026.pdf>

By contrast, NZ has always been 230V.

--
Regards
Malcolm
Remove sharp objects to get a valid e-mail address

Re: Electrical Power in Australia and NZ

On Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:50:31 +0000 (UTC), C. Dewick
<craigd@lios.apana.org.au> wrote:

> Ken Blake <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> writes:
>
> >I live in the US, where we have 120V 60 cycle electrical power. What
> >is used in Australia and NZ? Is it 240V 50, as in most of Europe, or
> >something else? My laptop can use either, and I have a plug converter
> >for Australia, but do I also need a transformer?
>
> Yes it's 240 VAC, 50 Hz nominal. The variance is generally specified to be
> +/- 10 VAC so in reality the nominal voltage, depending where you are and
> what sort of loads are on the local supply grid, will be anywhere between
> 230 and 250 VAC.
>
> If your laptop has a power supply that works with both supply types, all you
> need is the right mains cord with an Australian 3-pin plug to connect your
> laptop to an Australian GPO (general purpose outlet).
>
> >Also will my US-to-Australia plug connector work in NZ, or do I need a
> >different one there?
>
> I believe the voltage in NZ is the same as here, but the plug is different.
> Might be wrong.


Thanks very much. Anyone know for sure about NZ?

--
Ken Blake
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Re: Electrical Power in Australia and NZ

On Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:42:25 -0700, Ken Blake
<kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:

>On Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:50:31 +0000 (UTC), C. Dewick
><craigd@lios.apana.org.au> wrote:
>
>> Ken Blake <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> writes:
>>
>> >I live in the US, where we have 120V 60 cycle electrical power. What
>> >is used in Australia and NZ? Is it 240V 50, as in most of Europe, or
>> >something else? My laptop can use either, and I have a plug converter
>> >for Australia, but do I also need a transformer?
>>
>> Yes it's 240 VAC, 50 Hz nominal. The variance is generally specified to be
>> +/- 10 VAC so in reality the nominal voltage, depending where you are and
>> what sort of loads are on the local supply grid, will be anywhere between
>> 230 and 250 VAC.
>>
>> If your laptop has a power supply that works with both supply types, all you
>> need is the right mains cord with an Australian 3-pin plug to connect your
>> laptop to an Australian GPO (general purpose outlet).
>>
>> >Also will my US-to-Australia plug connector work in NZ, or do I need a
>> >different one there?
>>
>> I believe the voltage in NZ is the same as here, but the plug is different.
>> Might be wrong.
>
>
>Thanks very much. Anyone know for sure about NZ?

Yes.

Start here:
* kropla . com /electric2.htm


Cheers, Alan, Australia
--
* loraltravel.blogspot . com /
latest: Wandering Again...