Install a US wall socket in Australia

Monkeyboi · April 10, 2022

7 hours ago, rzy6cn said:

I think even if you don't swap the Neutral and Hot, your gear still works, it is more about a safety issue. Most of the US plugs are not polarised by the way (the hot and neutral plug measure the same)

Well not really. The US and Canadian wiring codes called for the installation of polarised sockets (different pin sizes for live [hot] and neutral) for all new installations since 1965, so it's a well established standard. However some equipment not requiring a protective earth was fitted with two pin plugs of equal pin sizes for compatibility with older installations. These days and indeed for decades all US / Canadian equipment requiring a protective earth is wired with a 3 pin polarised plug.

rzy6cn · April 10, 2022

18 minutes ago, Monkeyboi said:

Well not really. The US and Canadian wiring codes called for the installation of polarised sockets (different pin sizes for live [hot] and neutral) for all new installations since 1965, so it's a well established standard. However some equipment not requiring a protective earth was fitted with two pin plugs of equal pin sizes for compatibility with older installations. These days and indeed for decades all US / Canadian equipment requiring a protective earth is wired with a 3 pin polarised plug.

Sorry for my wrong expression. Yes you are correct. What I mean is when you cabling even you do not switch the Neutral and Hot, the gear will still work. I've been using various electrics from UK, EU, China and alao Hong Kong area by using the adapter. Even though the hot and neutral are swapped but they all work without any issue.

akjono · April 10, 2022

7 hours ago, rzy6cn said:

Sorry for my wrong expression. Yes you are correct. What I mean is when you cabling even you do not switch the Neutral and Hot, the gear will still work. I've been using various electrics from UK, EU, China and alao Hong Kong area by using the adapter. Even though the hot and neutral are swapped but they all work without any issue.

I have had a similar experience with cabling and the non-issue of hot/neutral AUS current with US power cords. A few years ago I had at no small expense work done on 2 items: my 120V Amp to convert to Australian current (basically a new transformer and associated caps etc.) and a simple conversion of my Parasound preamp to same, but thoroughly checked out as well. I brought in my power cords with US plugs as that is how I would use them at home, and eliminate a cheap Chinese step down transformer in the pathway. Sparky stamped and certified both units and did not say "boo" about my power chord choice (with brown Korjo adapters).

Alternating current has something going for it. Regarding the Original Post: Can you purchase a 240V/240V Transformer with a US outlet as an option? This could give you the Higher Grade outlet without modifying your house. I know Holton Audio made them a few years back.

andyr · April 11, 2022

12 hours ago, rzy6cn said:

Yes you are correct. What I mean is when you cabling even you do not switch the Neutral and Hot, the gear will still work. I've been using various electrics from UK, EU, China and also Hong Kong area by using the adapter. Even though the hot and neutral are swapped but they all work without any issue.

However, if by using these 'foreign' plugs & sockets you have switched 'Neutral' and 'Live' into the component:

then, yes, electricity flows and the component will still work.
but the fuse is now on the 'Neutral' wire - whereas it should be on the 'Hot' wire; this is a safety concern.
and the input mains connection to the primary winding on the power transformer has been reversed. Some people say doing this ... changes the sound of the component. (In a book called "The Wood Effect", the author - Clark Johnsen - gives a full explanation why. There's a PF article about it, here: https://positive-feedback.com/Issue1/cjwoodeffect.htm.)

Andy

Edited April 11, 2022 by andyr

audiofeline · April 13, 2022

On 06/04/2022 at 8:23 PM, rockeater said:

But if you have Anaconda Power Snakes at $3000 a piece and you modify them with Australian plug, they are no longer original and lose 2/3 of their value.

Heat-shrink is very important (if not the most important part of any ready-made cable; power or signal) and cutting it - even to see what's inside - makes the cable lose most of its value. It might be, - although I am not an expert on this - because the most of that value is in its mystery of its construction and materials. Once revealed it just isn't quite the same.

The value of the cable is only lost if you intend to resell. A quality power cord will last for decades so no need to resell.

And with respect to the OP, I would be very hesitant to connect a socket designed to work with 115V to power delivering 240V.

rzy6cn · April 13, 2022

26 minutes ago, audiofeline said:

The value of the cable is only lost if you intend to resell. A quality power cord will last for decades so no need to resell.

And with respect to the OP, I would be very hesitant to connect a socket designed to work with 115V to power delivering 240V.

Money don't grow on trees, in order to get new one sometimes you have to resell old one....

And, all US Sockets can fit 230V as same model are also selling in China. The intended voltage is 220V but sometimes it goes up to 235V at night.

HdB · April 13, 2022

Another option for people who want to use a "better" plug on aftermarket power cables is to convert your "standard" 230v/10A GPO to a higher current 230v/15A wall socket (electrician) - they have thicker/bigger pins and tighter grip by the socket similarly to the US type plugs - intended for industrial use and quite legal AFAIK - a bit "clunky".

And you can still fit the standard power plug in if required.

... my 2 cents!

Weka · April 13, 2022

2 hours ago, rzy6cn said:

Money don't grow on trees, in order to get new one sometimes you have to resell old one....

And, all US Sockets can fit 230V as same model are also selling in China. The intended voltage is 220V but sometimes it goes up to 235V at night.

You're just not listening, are you. What they sell/use in the US or China does not make it safe or legal for Australia or NZ.

Under the current Electrical Regulations it is a criminal offense to do what you propose and any Electrician caught doing so would be prosecuted and most likely lose his Practicing License. Doing it yourself would also be a criminal offense.

aussievintage · April 13, 2022

47 minutes ago, HdB said:

Another option for people who want to use a "better" plug on aftermarket power cables is to convert your "standard" 230v/10A GPO to a higher current 230v/15A wall socket (electrician) - they have thicker/bigger pins and tighter grip by the socket similarly to the US type plugs - intended for industrial use and quite legal AFAIK - a bit "clunky".

And you can still fit the standard power plug in if required.

... my 2 cents!

US plugs and sockets are worse(electrically) IMO , not better, compared to the standard 10A Aussie. The 15A has a bigger earth pin, but it isn't going to make it sound better.

Monkeyboi · April 13, 2022

17 minutes ago, Weka said:

You're just not listening, are you. What they sell/use in the US or China does not make it safe or legal for Australia or NZ.

Under the current Electrical Regulations it is a criminal offense to do what you propose and any Electrician caught doing so would be prosecuted and most likely lose his Practicing License. Doing it yourself would also be a criminal offense.

Too right! @Weka

I often wonder how many times does one have to remind some people that the following applies?-

Does Your Audiophile Power Cord Meet Australian Electrical Regulations? | StereoNET Australia - Hi Fi & Home Cinema News

Just because the power cable costs $4000 doesn't mean it's safe or compliant for use in a particular country.

Hytram · April 13, 2022

On 06/04/2022 at 1:20 AM, rzy6cn said:

As all my cables all from US and China, I am legal to replace a US power socket in an Australian house?

Back to the orginal question..

Yes, only if the outlets meet all the requirements listed in AS3000 and are installed by a licensed Electrician.

From AS3000

4.4.1.1.2 Socket-outlets—Alternative pin configurations

Socket-outlets with alternative pin configurations, e.g. UK, French, German

and USA types, shall only be used under the following conditions:

<snip>

So, speak to your friendly Electrician.

.

Edited April 13, 2022 by Hytram

rzy6cn · April 13, 2022

3 hours ago, Weka said:

You're just not listening, are you. What they sell/use in the US or China does not make it safe or legal for Australia or NZ.

Under the current Electrical Regulations it is a criminal offense to do what you propose and any Electrician caught doing so would be prosecuted and most likely lose his Practicing License. Doing it yourself would also be a criminal offense.

Hold on mate, you sound like you are assuming I have already replaced or hired someone to replace the power socket? Have I ever said one word that I've already replaced the power socket?

I only expressed my opinion that technically these kinds of US sockets can be used safely under 230V. It is you not listening, not me. Thank you.

rzy6cn · April 13, 2022

2 hours ago, Monkeyboi said:

Too right! @Weka

I often wonder how many times does one have to remind some people that the following applies?-

Does Your Audiophile Power Cord Meet Australian Electrical Regulations? | StereoNET Australia - Hi Fi & Home Cinema News

Just because the power cable costs $4000 doesn't mean it's safe or compliant for use in a particular country.

As long as a power cord is sold by an authorsed Australia Distributor I assume it meets the Australian Electrical Regulation.

And I would say any power cord sold at $4000 will definitely meet Australian Electrical Regulation.

It is just a cord, not some mysterious high-tech stuff.

aussievintage · April 13, 2022

49 minutes ago, rzy6cn said:

And I would say any power cord sold at $4000 will definitely meet Australian Electrical Regulation.

It would be interesting to find out. I suspect there will be some that don't.

Weka · April 13, 2022

1 hour ago, rzy6cn said:

Hold on mate, you sound like you are assuming I have already replaced or hired someone to replace the power socket? Have I ever said one word that I've already replaced the power socket?

I only expressed my opinion that technically these kinds of US sockets can be used safely under 230V. It is you not listening, not me. Thank you.

I made no such assumption. If you reread my comment I wrote "proposed".

Weka · April 13, 2022

1 hour ago, rzy6cn said:

As long as a power cord is sold by an authorsed Australia Distributor I assume it meets the Australian Electrical Regulation.

And I would say any power cord sold at $4000 will definitely meet Australian Electrical Regulation.

It is just a cord, not some mysterious high-tech stuff.

Again, lots of uninformed assumptions!

I suggest you request an SDoC (Suppliers Declaration of Conformity) from the supplier of your $4000,00 cable - they are legally obliged to provide one if requested. Refer: https://www.acma.gov.au/5-steps-suppliers Good luck there, haha.

Monkeyboi · April 13, 2022

1 hour ago, rzy6cn said:

As long as a power cord is sold by an authorsed Australia Distributor I assume it meets the Australian Electrical Regulation.

One would hope so as it's the responsibility of the Australian distributor and / or retailer to ensure it's compliant before it can be sold to the consumer in Australia. If it was directly imported from an overseas retailer then it might be compliant, but may also not be compliant. Caveat emptor.

1 hour ago, rzy6cn said:

And I would say any power cord sold at $4000 will definitely meet Australian Electrical Regulation.

Well IMHO that's a pretty sweeping statement. The price of an item doesn't automatically determine if it is compliant.

1 hour ago, rzy6cn said:

It is just a cord, not some mysterious high-tech stuff.

With obviously properties that put it above a standard power cable?

rzy6cn · April 13, 2022

14 minutes ago, Monkeyboi said:

One would hope so as it's the responsibility of the Australian distributor and / or retailer to ensure it's compliant before it can be sold to the consumer in Australia. If it was directly imported from an overseas retailer then it might be compliant, but may also not be compliant. Caveat emptor.

Well IMHO that's a pretty sweeping statement. The price of an item doesn't automatically determine if it is compliant.

With obviously properties that put it above a standard power cable?

Isn't it contradicting with the article you cited?

The article says: In the eyes of NSW Fair Trading, a 'power cord' consists of three components being the plug, the flexible cord and the socket. The power cord is considered to be a 'non-declared electrical article', however, each of the components is considered a 'declared electrical article'.

Obviously, no matter where I buy the power cord from, it is a power cord but not the components, so it should be deemed as a non-declared electrical article and therefore the power cord itself does not need to meet the requirement designed for a declared electrical article.

Although non-declared articles need to comply with the minimum safety requirements contained in Australian Standard AS/NZS 3820:2009. Do you really think an Audiophile power cord cannot meet these standards?

There will always be exceptions. Yes, there might be a power cord priced at 100K do not meet the standards. But that is meaningless to me.

15 minutes ago, Weka said:

Again, lots of uninformed assumptions!

I suggest you request an SDoC (Suppliers Declaration of Conformity) from the supplier of your $4000,00 cable - they are legally obliged to provide one if requested. Refer: https://www.acma.gov.au/5-steps-suppliers Good luck there, haha.

I know what I am doing and I don't need such a document to prove the safety of my power cords.

Edited April 13, 2022 by rzy6cn

Monkeyboi · April 13, 2022

11 hours ago, rzy6cn said:

Isn't it contradicting with the article you cited?

The article says: In the eyes of NSW Fair Trading, a 'power cord' consists of three components being the plug, the flexible cord and the socket. The power cord is considered to be a 'non-declared electrical article', however, each of the components is considered a 'declared electrical article'.

Obviously, no matter where I buy the power cord from, it is a power cord but not the components, so it should be deemed as a non-declared electrical article and therefore the power cord itself does not need to meet the requirement designed for a declared electrical article.

Although non-declared articles need to comply with the minimum safety requirements contained in Australian Standard AS/NZS 3820:2009. Do you really think an Audiophile power cord cannot meet these standards?

There will always be exceptions. Yes, there might be a power cord priced at 100K do not meet the standards. But that is meaningless to me.

I know what I am doing and I don't need such a document to prove the safety of my power cords.

I don't write the standards nor enforce them. I've only cited the relevant documents or standards as have others in this thread. To dismiss them, ignore them or advocate the use of non-approved electrical equipment in Australia would IMHO be negligent and promoting potentially unsafe use thereof.

At the end of the day it's your power cable, your equipment, your home, your safety, et al.

Even a humble $9.50 power cable from Altronics is a certified compliant cable.

To cite the information on their website - P8410C - Powertran 2m IEC C13 10A 3 Pin Black Appliance Mains Power Cable - Altronics

"Features

Fitted with IEC C13 connector and standard Australian 3 pin mains plug with earthing pin.
2 metre length.
3 x 1mm² conductors
Electrical authority approved.
AS/NZS standards compliant for connectors & cable.

Fully Authority Approved.
Consumer beware! The Australian marketplace is flooded with cheap imported power supplies and cables, often shipped within products, which do not meet the strict standards of the Australian approval authorities. Many lack the necessary insulation and safety circuitry to ensure safe operation and could represent a real danger to buyers! The Powertran range of power appliance cables has been fully approved for use in Australia and have the SAA approvals required by law. Altronics spends considerable time and money maintaining our compliance for this range to ensure the safety of our customers. "

rzy6cn · April 14, 2022

8 hours ago, Monkeyboi said:

I don't write the standards nor enforce them. I've only cited the relevant documents or standards as have others in this thread. To dismiss them, ignore them or advocate the use of non-approved electrical equipment in Australia would IMHO be negligent and promoting potentially unsafe use thereof.

At the end of the day it's your power cable, your equipment, your home, your safety, et al.

Even a humble $9.50 power cable from Altronics is a certified compliant cable.

To cite the information on their website - P8410C - Powertran 2m IEC C13 10A 3 Pin Black Appliance Mains Power Cable - Altronics

"Features

Fitted with IEC C13 connector and standard Australian 3 pin mains plug with earthing pin.

2 metre length.

3 x 1mm² conductors

Electrical authority approved.

AS/NZS standards compliant for connectors & cable.

Fully Authority Approved.
Consumer beware! The Australian marketplace is flooded with cheap imported power supplies and cables, often shipped within products, which do not meet the strict standards of the Australian approval authorities. Many lack the necessary insulation and safety circuitry to ensure safe operation and could represent a real danger to buyers! The Powertran range of power appliance cables has been fully approved for use in Australia and have the SAA approvals required by law. Altronics spends considerable time and money maintaining our compliance for this range to ensure the safety of our customers. "

Meet the standard is a very basic requirement only. A 'certified compliant' cable means they meet certain criteria and standards. That's it.

The cable you cited using 18AWG conductors and cheap plugs (it is safe enough though) which is obviously inferior to most of the audiophile cables (even knock-off audiophile cables will not use this kind of conductors and connectors).

As long as US plug cables are good to use in Australia, I will never consider switching to AU plugs as nearly no manufacturer makes good quality connectors for AU standards.

Furutech is an exception, but the price almost doubled due to the limited quantity made.

High-end cables like Odin 2 also have AU termination but their second-hand value is probably only 3/4 to 2/3 of US Plug equivalent.

If you genuinely believe that a $4,000+ cable made by a well-known manufacturer, using excessive conductors (like 7*14AWG 99.9999%+ OFCs) and high-end standard plugs made by Solid Copper/Silver coated by Gold/Rhodium might not compliant with AS/NZS standard, only because they not marking 'compliant' to AS/NZS standards.

Then it is your choice to use AU Plug audiophile cords.

It will never be my choice though.

Edited April 14, 2022 by rzy6cn

aussievintage · April 14, 2022

18 minutes ago, rzy6cn said:

as nearly no manufacturer makes good quality connectors for AU standards.

balderdash, you can even buy good quality from Bunnings. (just highlighting how subjective "high" quality, w.r.t. sound, can be)

rzy6cn · April 14, 2022

14 minutes ago, aussievintage said:

balderdash, you can even buy good quality from Bunnings. (just highlighting how subjective "high" quality, w.r.t. sound, can be)

I mean, for safety purpose, definitely yes. There are very good quality power sockets and plugs in bunnings. And there are good power cords for daily use too.

But for audiophile purpose, almost none of the manufacturers make good plugs except Furutech, and none of them make audiophile-grade power sockets.

If I can get audiophile-grade AU power sockets I will not post this thread anyway.

Edited April 14, 2022 by rzy6cn

aussievintage · April 14, 2022

5 minutes ago, rzy6cn said:

But for audiophile purpose, almost none of the manufacturers make good plugs

Proof of this will be hard to find

rzy6cn · April 14, 2022

Just now, aussievintage said:

Proof of this will be hard to find

OK. Could you please find out another audiophile purpose AU Plug other than Furutech Fi-50AU-R/Fi-52AU-R NCF?

The fact is audiophile manufacturers seldom make AU Plug power cords due to the limited market needs.

Of course, some people think this kind of Audiophile plug makes no difference in the sound. I respect their views but I disagree.

aussievintage · April 14, 2022

14 minutes ago, rzy6cn said:

OK. Could you please find out another audiophile purpose AU Plug other than Furutech Fi-50AU-R/Fi-52AU-R NCF?

nope, that's your problem not mine. My plugs work excellently.

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