Using Australian Appliances in Europe

[v***@gmail.com]

Hi,

This may be a silly question - but I cannot work out the right way to
google for it...

Can Australian electrical appliances that draw high wattages (such as a
kettle) be used in Europe with a simple plug adaptor or do they require
a transformer as well?

Thanks for your help.

[Andrew Gabriel]

Post by v***@gmail.com
Hi,
This may be a silly question - but I cannot work out the right way to
google for it...
Can Australian electrical appliances that draw high wattages (such as a
kettle) be used in Europe with a simple plug adaptor or do they require
a transformer as well?

Europe is all 220-240V, so no voltage conversion is required.
There are many types of socket outlets in use across Europe,
so you'll have to be more specific about what you mean by
"high wattages" and which country. UK standard outlets are
13A (3kW) max per outlet. France, Belgium and countries which
use the Shucko outlet are 16A (3.5kW) max per outlet. Other
european countries have various slightly lower limits.

Also note you will need a good quality adaptor for high power
appliances. Something that was really designed for just a
shaver and doesn't meet any of the national standards is not
going to be suitable. You could bring a high quality Australian
short multi-way socket block with you, and buy a proper replacement
plug locally on your arrival. Also note that whilst I believe
the Australian supply is polarised (it has a defined live and
neutral), most of Europe (except the UK) is unpolarised at
the socket outlet. This means your Australian appliances may
end up switching the neutral, or running from a supply where
neither main conductor is a neutral, which may not be what
they were designed for.

[John G]

Post by Andrew Gabriel

Post by v***@gmail.com
Hi,
This may be a silly question - but I cannot work out the right way to
google for it...
Can Australian electrical appliances that draw high wattages (such as a
kettle) be used in Europe with a simple plug adaptor or do they require
a transformer as well?

Europe is all 220-240V, so no voltage conversion is required.
There are many types of socket outlets in use across Europe,
so you'll have to be more specific about what you mean by
"high wattages" and which country. UK standard outlets are
13A (3kW) max per outlet. France, Belgium and countries which
use the Shucko outlet are 16A (3.5kW) max per outlet. Other
european countries have various slightly lower limits.
Also note you will need a good quality adaptor for high power
appliances. Something that was really designed for just a
shaver and doesn't meet any of the national standards is not
going to be suitable. You could bring a high quality Australian
short multi-way socket block with you, and buy a proper replacement
plug locally on your arrival. Also note that whilst I believe
the Australian supply is polarised (it has a defined live and
neutral), most of Europe (except the UK) is unpolarised at
the socket outlet. This means your Australian appliances may
end up switching the neutral, or running from a supply where
neither main conductor is a neutral, which may not be what
they were designed for.
--
Andrew Gabriel

Although Aus oulets are polarized by design it is easy to get them
reversed with amature made extension cords etc and I have never heard of
it being a problem.

Perhaps in theory a device with a switch could pose a problem if it was
opened but unless a device is approved Double Insulated it would be
grounded and as in UK the ground is tied to the neutral at the building
entry point.
Wall switches are tested (we hope) at installation time and all power
outlets have switches unlike the UK which (correct me if I am wrong) has
some outlets with shutters but no switch.

Aus devices are mostly limited to 10amps with the common plug or
specials with a modified plug and special outlet can be 15 amps.