Solving the problem of using Australian electrical devices in Japan

[Evan]

<..>
FWIW, as posted in the thread referred to, I have removed said hole and have had no issues. Of course in doing so there is no earth protection. Note: there would be NO earth protection in Japanese sockets as they do not have it in any case.

It fully up to you.

Ummm actually lots but not all JP sockets do have earth, it is connected by a wire that has like a spade connector and you just lift the little flap and screw it in, always used for items such as fridges and washing machines.

Most devices like notebooks do have earthing but the ones that do not have double insulated power supplies. As stated its upto you what you choose but i have never bothered using earth on these items (but my notebook power supplies etc do get electrical checked every 12 months also)

 

[harvyk]

As others have said the third pin is simply the earth. I have a 1 meter extension lead which is missing the earth pin (home made, and fairly certain it's not legal to use in OZ) so that if I ever came across an adapter or socket without the earth pin in my travels I could still use my laptops \ other aussie equipment in it.

Without it you won't fry your equipment (infact the equipment probably won't even detect the missing earth), however your also missing a safety feature. This probably won't matter so much if your using equipment with plastic casings as plastic is non-conductive, however if your equipment isn't in tiptop shape I personally wouldn't recommend using it as you are at a greater risk of electric shock.

 

[ambergris]

Interesting and helpful advice-thank you.

 

[auriga]

I'm the kind of person that doesn't like tampering with things... I just borrowed mine from the hotel, but if you want, there are some ridiculously cheap ones that you can buy here:

DealExtreme Search: travel power adapter

I've used one of these--- worked wonderfully well in US, Canada, Japan, China, Singapore.

 

[ambergris]

That's good to know- I have ordered one. Very reassuring.

 

[ambergris]

I have at last found a suitable plug adapter- the SKROSS World Travel Adapter 3. It is stated to be the first and safest 3 pole adapter. The official release date is in September. I have had excellent and prompt support in my communications with the company, and hope that this will be a safe solution to a longstanding problem for Australians travelling overseas.
The website:
WorldConnect - Adapt to the World

 

[ambergris]

Update: the SKROSS World Travel Adapter 3 arrived today, and I can confirm that an Australian 3 point plug is accepted, with the potential for use in 150 countries- far safer than some of the techniques I have been considering!

 

[MarkyMarkOZ]

Given that JP is only 100v, is there any damage short or long term predicted to our Aussie 240v appliances?

 

[serfty]

Generally not going down in voltage.

FWIW, what I travel with that require power (Phone chargers, Laptop adaptors) have input rating of 100/110V - 230/250v.

A 240V electric Jug may have trouble heating water on 110v however. (Using a 110V electric jug on 240v may spell the end of that Jug :shock

 

[equus]

Anything containing a motor may not work well at all, and may well damage the device if running under speed because of low voltage.

 

[Dee Thom]

A 240V electric Jug may have trouble heating water on 110v however. (Using a 110V electric jug on 240v may spell the end of that Jug :shock

The majority of Japanese families have only gas stoves, so use the good old kettle to heat water ( more Aussies should do this to save power, especially in S.E.Qld), only Hotels, and some Highrise are solely electric powered. The only things I have on trips to Nippon that require electic power, are computor, mobile, shaver Etc., which use as Serfty stated, 100/110 thru 230/250 volts.........

Cheers Dee