Electrical gadgets

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Thailand is 220V 50 cycle.  There are 2 types of plug:
Flat blade plug
Two round pins plug

I've read that "Malaysia is 240V 50 cycle. Outlets in Malaysia generally accept 1 type of plug:
Two parallel flat pins with ground pin"

It looks as if Thai-style electrical goods are not worth bringing to Malaysia, as at the very least a lot of adaptors would be required, and they might not like the extra voltage.  Can anyone confirm?

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I brought all my electrical stuff from Holland, also 220, so far it's all still working.

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The plugs are the same as the British ones.  Can't you just change the plugs on your electrical items when you get there?  That's what my technical department (Mr P) will be doing.

The irony for us though is that we originally had British plugs on everything (Singapore uses the same), changed everything to Thai 3 pin plugs (the small ones), now we've got to change them all back again  - but at least we kept all the plugs.

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Thanks stuurman, papaya.  I didn't know Malaysia had the same as UK!

Agreed that changing plugs is a way for some items.  Though perhaps transformer type items will have to be new.  I am thinking of my Mac laptop transformer, and the one that powers the desk speakers, and perhaps also cellphone chargers.

Incidentally, the forum is very slow to load now, but other internettery things are working ok.

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hi,

One electrical point is about buying a 3 or 4 gang socket extension that has surge protection. They're about RM30 and available everywhere. It's so that the fuse on the extension burns out first if there's a lightning strike. So, hopefully, the electrical items in the plug holes will not get fried.

During one recent monsoon storm the main fuse board outside my house got hit. I'm not sure if it was a direct strike - I don't think so - or some secondary zapping from a nearby strike. Anyway the main fuse blew and no electricity. No electrical items were damaged. I guess because it was the main fuse rather than down the TV aerial. Dunno really.

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Although its possible to use 2 pin plugs on British equipment it is potentially dangerous. Most British equipment is designed to use an "earth" wire which is connected to the third and longest prong on the plug. Not to get too technical this is your safety wire and stops you getting electrocuted if you become the circuit for current to pass through.

Many countries outside the UK have a different way of protecting you called "double insulation" and so can use just two of the prongs on your plug. The little plastic gizmos that turn a 3 pin into a two pin actually remove the protection you are provided with under the British system and therefore are hazardous. The three pin sockets you get in Malaysia are perfect for using with either system Except some of so called electricians do not know what the third wire is for and don't use it properly (or not at all) in your sockets so even if you use safe British items the safety system has effectively been disabled by these numpties with a screwdriver

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Although its possible to use 2 pin plugs on British equipment it is potentially dangerous.

Good advice.  Thank you Qj.

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Thank you Bob
at present i am touring Penang with my electrician mate who delights in inspecting fuse boxes (okay it does not excite me!!) Your comments regarding earth are very important. The fact is that although we all have lots of transient appliances, when you settle down, buy local and buy safe!

In no way transfer US appliances to Malaysia. They are chalk and cheese.

For what it is worth my electrician friend's horrors about Malaysia revolve mainly around the lack of insulation for "wet plugs"!

Buy local ...... buy safe!!!
Enjoy
Donohue 

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I have to agree with Donahue. I was saddened to have to leave all my electrical gadgets back in the US, as you can't find all of them here. I find the electrical system here bulky and atrocious. There are not enough outlets, the plugs are humongous, and everyone seems to have extension cords running all over. The condo unit I live in does not support all of the modern conveniences that now exist, so I will have to get the unit rewired and updated safely, or else get rid of some of my toys.

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One electrical point is about buying a 3 or 4 gang socket extension that has surge protection. They're about RM30 and available everywhere. It's so that the fuse on the extension burns out first if there's a lightning strike. So, hopefully, the electrical items in the plug holes will not get fried.

We use these on most of our electricals, hi fi, TV, computers - I think they also protect re power surges.  We certainly need these in Thailand as the electricity is all over the place though we have 3 phase electrics (not that that is perfect though).

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Just a point on lightening protection.

Your switch box at the main will give better protection than the so called surge protection in ganged sockets. Lightening carries such a huge charge that the surge could leap across the protector go on to blow you favourite electrical devices.

If there is lightening around I generally unplug any thing that may be blown, and that includes any internet cables. By far the best protecion against lightening strikes is a large chunk of air. So disconnect if you can.

If that is not practical buy good quality surge protectors made in Europe or Australia. Cant really comment on the ones from the U.S.

Bob

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I have used Monster brand surge protectors from US. Very good. They should be available here in any good computer shop.

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If its the same Monster as the people who make connectors for sound systems then I would agree they are very high quality

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Yes, the same I believe.