Australian power plug adaptors
 

Going to Sydney for the first time next month.

I see both 2-prong and 3-prong adapters. Will either work, with the 2-prong presumably not being grounded?

No problem with 2 prong adapters. There is no mechanism to prevent the top 2 pins going into the plug if the ground plug isn't there (unlike the UK plugs).

As stated the 2-prong will always work, but why would you???? Unlike the US which is full of dodgy wiring and ungrounded outlets, I've never seen an outlet in Oz that wasn't grounded, even in very old wiring -- so you can always use a 3-prong plug. Given the spectacular effects of 230V failure when not grounded, I'd stick to 3-prong adapters. It is a pretty important safety issue.

I know there are tons of old outlets in the US which are two prong, but has anyone seen any new US constructions (or renovations) using two prong?

My bigger concern is how many three prong outlets in older constructions there are in the US where the grounding wire is not properly hooked up, e.g. where the home owner just swapped the outlet and didn't rewire?

Stu

PS: While we are on the topic of schlocky wiring, did you know that with a little practice you can plug a two pin continental European plug into a UK power outlet? I'm sure the BSA would go nuts, but it is easy to do.

I dunno. Getting a jolt from 230 volts is not my idea of fun :)

If the equipment you are using does not have a ground plug, it does not matter if you have a grounded adapter or not.

I say if your stuff is two prong, you only need a two prong adapter, and it will work everywhere.

If it's three prong, to keep the ground you will want a three prong adapter, and should you come across an outlet that is only two prong, it won't work, but those are probably rare. The best solution is probably to have both.

I think three prong has been mandated by the national building code for at least the last 35 years.

Go with the three prong ones.

Ignoring the fact that the 2 prong ones are probably illegal, the one I have does a poor job of actually staying connected properly - especially when you put the weight of a plugpack/etc on top of it, and I suspect most are the same.

I bought one on the logic that it would be good to use for things like a phone charger which is not earthed, but after using it once I gave up and went back to only using earthed ones.

Yup, that was me mate. More than once.

In my experience I have found Oz voltage to often be closer to 240 then 230 (plus or minus 5% is "acceptable") and just adds to the "spectacular effect". I have burned out at least four 120-240 adapters on my visits to OZ. And all had only two prong adapters ...

Official voltage here is 240 and not 220. In some remote country areas it can I believe get as high as 270 - 280 volts.

Audrey

Australia is 240v as confirmed.

2 plugs are absolutely legal, as many low current devices are sold in Australia with only 2 prongs - especially those with international applications (mobiles, personal electronics etc).

I have never had any problems with my equipment which is double insulated (symbol is a small box inside a larger one) with 2 prong plugs.

The right advice is to be cautious, however if you have equipment which is 2 prong, then (subject to voltage - 240v - and frequency - 50Hz) plug your 2 prong device in and be happy.

So have any Americans had any problems using the 2 prong adapter to charge their phones or laptops or other electronics?

Actually, it's officially 230 Volts, as per AS60038. The change from 240 volts started in 1983, and will probably end within the next few hundred years... (Although originally it was supposed to be by 2003)

It's largely irrelevant as the difference between 220-240 volts is within the allowed variation for 230 volts (+10%/-6%)

2 prong plugs are legal, but I'm fairly sure 2 prong sockets are not. I can easily plug a 3-prong plug into my 2-prong adapter, thus isolating the earth circuit. As an adapter is both a plug and a socket, I'd be certain that they are illegal.

Agreed. I just got back from my first trip to New Zealand and Australia, which both have the same electrical outlet receptacles. I left home with a “universal” electrical adapter which has a 2 prong plug for use in these countries. It worked very poorly, it could not maintain a secure placement in the outlets. Apparently, in addition to grounding, the third prong releases or engages a spring which “secures” a 3 prong plug in place. After the first night, I purchased a 3 prong plug which worked perfectly for the duration of the 2 week trip.

Funny. I am I Argentina which uses Australian style connection and my universal works ok here.