Singapore Expats

Thank you in advance for everyone's help. This site has been very helpful for me.

Anyhow, my wife and I might be relocating to Singapore from the US for my job. Will my American appliances (TV, shaver, computer, audio equipment, etc...) work in Singapore if the voltage on the appliance states: 110v-240v and the hertz states: 50hz, 60hz? If they do work, would I simply need a plug adapter to convert from the US plug to the Singapore plug? Or, do I need a voltage adapter to keep from frying my equipment.

Also, I noticed that there are 2 types of plugs for outlets in Singapore (similar the the US with a 110 and 220 outlet). Which plug is used for most household appliances - the round type plug or the flat type plug (sorry for the poor description).

My wife and I are excited for the possibility to move to Singapore for a few years but we are weighing all of our expenses.

Again, thank you.

if your PSU is autovoltage, then it will be OK. just get a plug adaptor. singapore use the Type I plug (same as UK, swaziland, malaysia and HK to name a few). singapore is 220-240V at 50Hz.

If the appliance says 110v-220v (or240v) you are fine.
If it just says 110v, then no. If you don't want to part with the item, you can buy a power converter here for around $100 SGD, but I don't really recommend it.
One of the few things we brought from the U.S. that is not dual-voltage is the rotisserie to our Weber gas grill, but I know a family that brought their XBox video game and run it on a converter with no problems (so far - the thing runs HOT.)

Yes, you'll need adapters for your plugs, but they can be had for very little... $2-ish. You can also buy power strips that will accept many different plug types, including U.S. Very handy for the office.

Don't know if you've done your househunting trip yet, but our condo's master bath power outlet has a dual-voltage switch like most hotels for shavers. I also use it to charge my power drill which is 110v only. (Not that the drill sees much action. This isn't a DIY kind of place. I miss my table saw.)

Regarding your Audio equipment... check the voltage. If it is not dual, sell it. In fact sell all your electronics that are not 220-240v compliant and start fresh here. Don't store it. It will probably be obsolete and you won't want it or be able to sell it when you get back. Speaking from experience here.

One last tip... If you like to grill food and you are planning on living in a place that has a patio and allows it, definitely go buy a brand new one and include it in your shipment. Some movers won't let you bring your grill due to the mess, but if it's new - no prob. You won't believe what people pay here for a grill that can be had at Sears for $300. ($1500-$2000).

If you have any other Q's, PM me and I'll give you my email address so you can contact me directly.

Good luck!


One note on the grill... if you bring one, you'll need to pay the propane delivery dude about $100 to change the connector so that it fits Singapore propane tanks. Upside is, they deliver the propane and install it for you when you run out for about $30 SGD.
FWIW.. I don't have a grilling fetish. It just came to mind.

Thanks for all the help... I need to check out all my electronics and see what voltage they are at. I hope my PS3 is dual voltage! Also, thank you for the grilling tips - My wife and I love grilling out.

We are planning house hunting trip - we are very excited for our new adventure!

buttermaker wrote:
If you have any other Q's, PM me and I'll give you my email address so you can contact me directly.

buttermaker,

While your offer is very kind, for what we do here on this site, wouldn't it be better to keep it here in the forum? If the OP is needing answers then more than likely others looking to come here may well have exactly the same questions. Why not keep it on the board so that all will benefit. That's what we try to do here. I'm not saying don't do it though....

moderator

FYI on the shaver. . .

I use a Wahl hairclipper in the US, and tried to use it here through a Brookstone voltage converter.

When I turned it on using Singapore electricity, it suddenly had the power of a floor sander, with just about as much control. Hence, my disinterest in running it over my scalp.

I picked up a Philips one at Courts, along with a bunch of other stuff. I figured we'd be able to sell a vacuum, blender, clock radio and toaster to new expats when our assignment was up.

After a couple of months of use with other stuff, that Brookstone voltage converter ran so hot that it melted it's own casing, and we ditched it.

There's a reason the electrical outlets have switches on them. . .