

Devices designed for 230V will usually run correctly between 220-240, but plugging a 110 volt appliance into a 230V outlet can result in damage to the device. Travellers and those buying appliances from abroad or online must be aware of voltage variations which may cause compatibility issues. As previously mentioned, their voltages sit at 220 V too. China also has type I plugs and sockets but is distinguished by reversed live (active) and neutral pins additionally they are built with earth uppermost as well as live on the right side. New Zealand and Argentina use 230V voltage, Fiji, Tonga and Papua New Guinea operate with a 240V power source while the Solomon Islands have 220V. Even though this is still true for Queensland at present, they are transitioning to use 230 V as well. This standard ensures safe power transmission throughout these countries.įor the last two decades, with the exception of Western Australia and Queensland which has retained 240 V, most regions in Australia have had a nominal voltage of 230 V. It is commonly used in places like Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Tonga Archipelago, Solomon Islands as well as Papua New Guinea to name a few. The 3 flat pins on the Australian plug wiring configuration are made up of an Active, Neutral and Earth connection.ĪS/NZS 3112 is the unified Australian and New Zealand guideline for electrical AC plugs (male) and sockets (female). So if you want to make sure your plugs abide by set regulations – these are the standards you need to reference. Moreover, 15Amp and 20Amp configurations are defined in this same standard. Finally, it was harmonized with the New Zealand standard and rebranded as AS/NZS3112 by 1993.Īustralian Standards AS/NZS 3112:2000 and AS/NZS3112:2004 provide the rules for the insulation of Active and Neutral pins on Australian Mains Plugs. This became an official Standard C112 in 1938 and was revised to AS3112 in 1981. In 1937, Australia introduced its mains plug configuration as a provisional standard (C112). It’s important to note that overseas plugs don’t fit into Australian outlets, and vice versa, so if you are travelling abroad make sure you have the right adapter. It consists of three flat pins measuring 10 millimetres wide and 31 millimetres long. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) “world plugs” website calls the Australian electrical plug a Type I plug. Several adjacent regions, including New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Argentina, and the Solomon Islands, also use Type I.

The capacity of the outlets is rated for 10Amps, utilising a secure 3-pin earthed connection, ensuring safety and reliability. The Australian electrical system operates with a frequency of 50Hz and is designed to accommodate a supply voltage of 240V AC. This plug features a trio of flat pins arranged in a unique triangular configuration.

In Australia, the standard plug type is Type I.
