Power Plugs and Sockets in South Africa - Do You Need an Adapter?
If you are travelling to South Africa 🇿🇦 from Australia 🇦🇺, then YES, you will need an adapter.
In South Africa, the plug types used are C, M and N. The voltage is 220 V with a frequency of 50Hz. On the other hand, in Australia, the plug types used are I. The voltage in Australia is 230 V with a frequency of 50Hz.
Type C
Type M
Type N
⚠️ Your devices from Australia of type I will not be valid for any socket and you will need an adapter.
What are the plugs like in South Africa?
In South Africa, the predominant plug types are C, M and N. If you are coming from Australia, then your devices are of type I.
For this reason, you will need an adapter, as the plugs in South Africa are not compatible with the devices from Australia and you will not be able to use your devices.
In South Africa, Grahamstown and Port Elizabeth commonly use 250 volts, with King Williams Town being an exception.
Do I need a voltage and frequency converter to travel to South Africa?
It is important to know that in South Africa the electrical voltage is 220 V, with a frequency of 50Hz. In Australia, the electrical voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50Hz.
For this reason, you will not need a voltage converter to use your devices from Australia in South Africa.
Regardless of whether you need a voltage converter or not, you need a plug adapter, because the plug types are different in South Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below we will answer some of the most common questions asked by travelers going to South Africa.
Can I charge my iPhone or Android mobile device in South Africa?
If you are travelling from Australia to South Africa, you will need an adapter to charge your iPhone or Android mobile device. While it is true that nowadays these devices are designed to work with wide ranges of voltage and frequency, it should be remembered that both countries have incompatible plug types, so you will need an adapter in South Africa to charge your iPhone or Android.
Can I plug in my laptop charger in South Africa?
If you are travelling from Australia to South Africa, you will need an adapter to charge your laptop. Generally, these devices are designed to work with wide ranges of voltage and frequency, but it should be remembered that Australia and South Africa have incompatible plug types, so an adapter is necessary to charge your laptop in South Africa.
Can I use my hair dryer or straightener in South Africa?
Yes, with respect to voltage and frequency, you will be able to use devices such as your hair dryer or hair straightener in South Africa without any problems.
However, since the plugs in South Africa and Australia are not compatible, you will need a plug adapter to be able to use the hair straightener and hair dryer.
What happens if I connect a 230 V device to a 220 V socket without an adapter?
Fortunately, most devices can operate with a small voltage difference. Therefore, you will not have any problem connecting a 230 V device to a 220 V socket in South Africa without a voltage adapter. The worst that can happen is that the device will heat up slightly.
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