Voltage and plugs: buying or moving AV and computer gear between countries

Buying equipment online from overseas, or moving countries with your speakers, screens and computers, raises the same question: will it work, and is it safe, on the local power supply?

Two main voltage groups

• About 100 to 127 volts in North America, Japan and parts of Central and South America.
• About 220 to 240 volts in most of the rest of the world, including Europe, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, India and much of Asia and Africa.

Mains frequency also differs (50 Hz or 60 Hz), which matters for some older or motor-driven equipment.

Read the label first

Look at the power supply or the label near the power socket. Something like "Input: 100-240V ~ 50/60Hz" means the device works almost anywhere and only needs the right plug or cable. Most laptop chargers, phone chargers and many modern screens are like this.

When a plug adapter is not enough

If the label shows a single voltage, such as "120V only", plugging it into a 230 V supply through a simple plug adapter can destroy it and is a fire risk. You need a correctly rated step-down transformer, or a local replacement. Amplifiers, powered speakers and older AV gear are the most common problem.

Plug types differ too

Plug shapes vary by country, for example Type A and B in North America, Type G in the UK and Ireland, Type I in Australia and New Zealand, and Types C and F across much of Europe. For devices that accept the local voltage, a detachable power cable with the local plug is usually neater and safer than an adapter.

Moving gear into a new venue? Read the AV checklist for new venues or find a local technician.