Using Australian appliances in Singapore

[Knightfal]

Hi,

We are relocating back from Australia to Singapore and it seems after the shipping survey, we are slightly past the threshold of a shared container. Hence we decided to consider bringing back our appliances to balance off the costs. However, we are not sure if we just change the plugs or put convertors, if the electrical appliances are compatible in terms of power or fuses etc.

Anyone?

[jptsr1]

I believe Singapore and Australia are both 230/50 are they not? Quick look in the owners manual should sort it out.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Sg & Au compatible on appliances. Would need plug adaptors but otherwise power/amps okay. PNGMK can add or detract as necessary as he's both Au and a SG PR and tons of experience in electric and electronics in a wide range of countries.

[Knightfal]

Thanks. I wasn’t sure on the electrics aspect of this.

Hahaha I’m both SG citizen and Au PR and registered real estate sales rep in both countries. So I know the usefulness of being an expert in both countries as well

[PNGMK]

Singapore is 230V, 50 Hz (nominally).

Australia is nominally 230V, 50Hz (edit since 2011 - I thought it was 240 but have been away too long) but actually legally varies a bit state by state - WA for example used to be 260V (now 240V I confirm) and there was a roaring trade in exporting light bulbs from WA to the east as they lasted a lot longer being made for a higher voltage.

The 10V diff is not an issues for any appliance I can think of.

There are no major issues with cable or cord adaption, fortunately Australia has long adopted double insulation (2 wire) or earthing (3 wire) as the standards for safety so you won't end up tripping the ELCB as some US appliances will. Plug adaption is easy enough as the color code is the same, buy some 3 pins plugs and wire the Brown to L and Blue to N and green w yellow strip to earth.

Singapore's standard outlet (3 square pins) is rated to 13A, if you some reason you bring up a heavy duty Australian appliance (i.e. a dryer) wired into the rare 15A Australian plug with the wider earth pin I would wire it into the heavy duty round pin equivalent here (which I think is rated to 16A). Edit - I see there are new plug standard for 20A and 32A - obviously these are special cases.

Don't use adaptors. They are a known and documented source of fire and shock hazard.

If you're bringing three phase welders etc up you will have a few more issues as the difference in voltages is a bit wider (415 to 440 I think).

[malcontent]

Over the years I’ve bought several electrical appliances on trips to Australia and the UK... they work perfectly here. Prefer the UK for the native plug, but you can just stick a permanent adapter on everything else.

Just about every electrical appliance you find in the west can be found SG, but there are a few odd items you either won’t find here or won’t find the same stuff here.

For example, the selection of waffle irons is pretty bad here - mostly either Belgian style or some weird/impractical design. Any decent wattage blender is pricey (bought mine in Aus) and you won’t find a plug in electric can opener here (bought in the UK) — this is almost a novelty item here, unheard of... I just love it. Another item is electric hair trimmers... you won’t find the old fashioned plug in kind (picked up a great Wahl trimmer in the UK for £9.99).

[PNGMK]

^ second this for electrical tools. Singapore is over priced and has a dismal selection.

[malcontent]

Agree - even non-electrical tools, the selection and quality here can leave much to be desired.

[Knightfal]

Oh yeah I plan a full day trip to bunnings before I go. Yes, there are a couple of appliances here we find v handy and cheap too that we can’t find in Singapore. Our current favourite are the George foreman sandwich toasters it’s a hit with the kids making toasted wraps.

Kmart seems to be able to produce a decent quality for simple air purifiers and WiFi smart relates home items for the kick of it.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Yeah, I had my Son-in-Law bring a large George Foreman grill back from Aus when he finished his double in Mechanical Design Engrg. It's had a lot of use. Well worth the money.

[Splatted]

Normally I would say don't bother. Many common items you can buy in Australia can be bought in Singapore relatively cheap.

Budget kettles, toasters, sandwich makers start from $10 at Giant
Iron's from $20

Was it a specific item you had in mind?

All the appliances will work, however you either have to use a travel adaptor, or alternatively change the plugs. Changing plugs DIY is about $1 per device, or if you are buying travel adaptors you can buy cheap ones from FAIRPRICE around $5 , each , which also include on/off switch.

The only device I would definitely bring from Australia is landline telephone, eg Uniden with 4 receivers. The local phones in Singapore don't seem to ring loud, and generally haven't lasted.

EDIT: I just read other people's posts... OK, yes there's lots of things you might consider bringing with you LOL. Make a list, and we can talk about whether it's worth bringing.

[PNGMK]

Hey splatted - you've given some very unsafe advice.

1. You should not use travel adaptors - they are a leading, known cause of electrical shock and house fires.

2. Using unapproved telcom equipment in Singapore can lead to a fine (particularly if connected to the phone network).

[Splatted]

Hey splatted - you've given some very unsafe advice.

1. You should not use travel adaptors - they are a leading, known cause of electrical shock and house fires.

2. Using unapproved telcom equipment in Singapore can lead to a fine (particularly if connected to the phone network).

I'm going to disagree with you there. The type of adaptor I'm using is both fused, and has an on/off switch. In fact, it's safer using this than the regular power outlet in the wall when plugging in two-pin devices. We have broken a few wall sockets, and since then only use this type of adaptor to protect the sockets. (and speaking of fires, the wall socket did nearly catch fire through a tenant plugging in a two pin device, Singapore approved device, in a Singapore approved socket)

The brand I bought is morries.


Regarding #2, we haven't been caught in 20 years, so I'm not worried about that one. The networks appear compatible. I've used novelty Mickey Mouse phones bought here in Singapore in Australia, and Australian equipment in Singapore. Noone knocks to on door to check.

I do have doubts about many phones sold within Singapore, though. We have bought cheap phones at stores in HDB areas, and they lacked volume. It was hard to hear both the ringer and the caller.

Then buying a branded phone, panasonic, from a Harvey Norman, they stopped charging after 6 months.

[PNGMK]

Just be aware that it is a known and documented issue and if you knowingly use such adaptors you may void fire insurance. Use of 2 pin plugs in 3 pin sockets violates the Singapore standards as well. You should rewire to the 3 pin plug.

I mean your apartment could end up looking like my neighbors last week - https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/f ... -bendemeer

(that's my pic - the second one)

[malcontent]

It’s a good reminder about fire safety. Before I dispose of electronics, if it has a plug that can be reused I always chop it off and keep it.

I had been using an adapter on my blender from Australia (only use it a few times a year), but will be changing it shortly - good opportunity to teach my son in the process.