Description
This article is from the soc.culture.australian FAQ, by Stephen Wales
with numerous contributions by others.
4.2 Standards
* language: The national language of Australia is English.
* TV/VCR: Our TV/video system is PAL-B. Multisystem videos (view NTSC
on a PAL TV) cost around $700. Standards converters (output a
recordable signal NTSC from PAL, or vice versa) cost much more. The
difference between PAL-B and PAL-D? [DH] According to the World Radio
TV Handbook, Australia uses PAL-B, not PAL-D. The difference? About
a MHz... The technical differences (B vs. D) are:
Channel width: 7 MHz vs. 8 MHz
Vision b/w: 5 MHz vs. 6 MHz
IF: 5.5 MHz vs. 6.5 MHz.
[PO] Australia uses the PAL video system and the PAL-D television transmission
system (D - stands for Delay Line). Tapes which are recorded in PAL are fully
compatible with the Aussie system.
Tapes which are recorded in NTSC are incompatible. They can however be played
on NTSC playback VCRs. The older NTSC ( > 1year ) playback VCRs required the
use of either an NTSC (or multi-format) TV or NTSC colour video monitor
because the signals were not converted to PAL format. VCRs available now with
NTSC playback capabilities convert the NTSC signal into PAL so the
signal can be displayed directly on PAL TVs or PAL colour monitors.
Don't try to use PAL equipment (TV/VCR etc) built for other countries in
Australia because generally, the channels are different (eg UK only uses UHF
but VHF is still used extensively here). Also the sound is modulated into the
signal at a different position relative to the video signal than to some other
countries and so you may get a picture but no sound or vice-versa.
[MJ] It is possible to buy dual standard LCD television sets, that
will work with PAL, NTSC or SECAM transmissions. These are quite new,
quite expensive and quite cute.
* Electricity: The electricity supply is 50Hz, 240 volts everywhere
(no longer 253 volts in W.A.). Step-down transformers are available
(but wasteful),and the 50 Hz may throw off your clock-radio and other
things using the mains as a frequency reference. AM broadcast
stations use 9 kHz spacing, in common with most of the civilised world.
Your fancy USA radio with its 10 kHz spacing won't like this. FM
broadcast stations use 50 micro-second pre-emphasis; USA uses 75 usec,
so the recovered audio may sound funny. [DH]
[JL] Power outlets have two slanting slots (hot and neutral, somebody else
will have to tell you which is which!) and a third vertical ground
slot. The configuration looks something like this...
/ \ <--- active and neutral pins
/ \
| <--- ground pin
|
BTW all three slots are identical in size, but the configuration
prevents the plug from being inserted incorrectly.
[MJ] Australia uses the same voltage as Britain and the rest
of Europe, but with different plugs (the British plug is different
from the European plug also). It is thus OK to use European/Australian
appliances interchangeably if you rewire the plugs (DON'T try doing this
with American/Japanese appliances unless YOU KNOW FOR SURE that the
product has an auto configuring power supply).
* Appliances and Transformers
[LS]: Although many people have warned about the differences in
electricity between the two countries (Aus and USA), people who have
purchased step-down transformers have reported no problems with small
appliances such as mixers and coffee pots. Also, appliances that will
convert from 120 to 240 will need adaptors for Australian outlets.
It has been advised that you should buy these items while you are
still in the States.
[PR] In the USA, Magnetek (1 800 624 6384) transformers are: n-259mg
1000 Watt weighing 35lb, or n-257mg 500 Watt, 23lb. $71 with a U.S.
power-cord which you can either adapt or cut off and replace
(trivial). My take was that it was worth it for the stereo but not
much else.
[DH] Don't think it will matter where you buy it. It is low tech, no
real cost advantage by getting it here. As for the power rating, the
bigger the better, the more you can plug in at once (And the more
"Safe" overhead you will have) If you are concerned about weight to
ship things home, buy it in Oz. They are a dime a dozen and available
anywhere.
[EG] First the basics. In Canada and the U.S., power is approx. 120V,
60 Hertz. In Australia it is 240V, 50 Hertz. Very few appliances
depend on the line frequency (50Hz vs. 60Hz). An exception is that
some clocks use the line frequency for timing. I've also heard that
certain things like tape players or VCRs could potentially use the
line frequency for timing. I brought a General Electric VCR with me
from the U.S. and it runs just fine on 50Hz.
Because just about everything runs okay on 50Hz, what people are
looking for is a device that transforms 240V 50Hz to 120V 50Hz. I've
seen people naively say that they want something that converts 240V
50Hz to 120V 60Hz. Such devices, which convert frequency as well as
voltage, are not necessary for most people and are extremely costly.
A simple voltage converter is all that most people need.
A crucial issue is the wattage of the converter. Basically, this
specifies the maximum wattage that the converter can handle at any one
time. So if you're going to run a bunch of appliances off of one
converter, you should first figure out the maximum wattage that each
may draw and add these up. Usually appliances will have a label that
specifies maximum power usage.
One problem is that different manufacturers seem to rate things
differently. You can get a cheap converter at Radio Shack that is
supposedly rated at 50 watts. But when you read the fine print it
says something like "not for continuous usage". I asked the salesman
about this (a dangerous thing to do, I know) and he said it could
handle 25 watts of continuous use. Make sure that the rating you get
is for continuous use. Also, be aware that reputable U.S.
manufacturers are likely to be more conservative in their ratings than
cheap imports. I bought a high-quality transformer from a U.S.
manufacturer (Stancor) that's rated at 150 watts (at constant use). I
have another transformer (made in Taiwan) that is about the same size
and claims to handle 500 watts.
The next issue is whether the transformer is grounded or not. I'm not
sure why, but most of the transformers I've seen are not grounded.
For safety reasons it is best to get a transformer that will ground
your 3-pin appliances.
An additional issue is whether the transformer is a normal transformer
(autotransformer) or an isolation transformer. An isolation
transformer will provide a cleaner power source than an
autotransformer since there is no direct DC path for voltage spikes to
follow. I've seen isolation transformers recommended for computer
equipment. This isn't necessary but if you want the extra protection
an isolation transformer is better than an autotransformer.
The next question is: where can you buy a transformer? That's a good
question. When I knew I was going to move to Australia, I called
around to a bunch of local electronics stores and electrical supply
houses to try to find a good quality, grounded, isolation transformer.
I couldn't find one locally, but was able to get one by mail order
from Allied Electronics. I bought a Stancor GISD-150 transformer
(GISD = Grounded Isolation Step-Down). It is designed to convert 230V
to 115V, and hence will convert 240V to 120V. The input to that
converter is a grounded 3-pin U.S. 230V plug, and the output is the
standard U.S. 3-pin jack, which I have a power strip plugged into.
Since Allied Electronics also had Australian power cords, I bought one
of those and got the necessary 230V jack (at Hechinger's) to add to
the end of the cord. Alternatively, one could buy the necessary
Australian plug and replace the U.S. plug. In any event, it cost me
$60 for the transformer and $10 for the Australian power cord. I'm
not necessarily recommending this route for making an Australian
transformer (because I don't know of the alternatives), but this is
what I did and it has worked fine for me.
Incidentally, I did find other non-grounded transformers locally.
They were much less expensive...approximately $25 for seemingly
low-quality transformers rated at 150 watts. Allied sells a whole
line of Stancor transformers, with a wide variety of wattage ratings
and a choice of grounded vs. non-grounded and isolation vs.
autotransformer. They also have an 800 number (1 800 433 5700).
* Monitors
[DE] If you have a Macintosh 12" colour monitor it won't work on 240
volts in Australia unless you buy a transformer. All other Macintosh
monitors should be dual 110/240 volts, and you will only need to cut
the plug off and put an Australian plug back on. Check the back of
your monitor to see what the specifications are. You will need 50 Hz
as well as 240 volts.
[MJ] Whilst on Macintoshes, some (eg the SE) have autoconfiguring
power supplies, others (eg classic) do not, so you should be careful.
[TT] Further on Macs, as far as I know, all Apple machines after the
*Plus* have UPS
[Can someone verify that last statement please - SW]
* Telephone: The telephone system is strictly regulated, but has
recently undergone a change from a monopoly to some real competition.
There are currently two national land-line telecommunications
carriers: Telecom and Optus; and three national mobile telephone
carriers: Telecom, Optus and Vodaphone. From 1997 onwards unlimited
competition will be permitted. Austel is the Federal Government's
telecommunications regulatory body.
In the meantime, don't even _think_ about connecting your answering
machine etc to it; it must bear an appropriate "Austel" compliance
sticker. Besides, the signalling conventions are different (two short
rings instead of one long ring as in USA etc). Australia is slowly
converting to AXE telephone exchanges, offering various features via
DTMF. Examples are Call-Waiting, Third-Party-Conference etc. Local
calls attract a flat fee, irrespective of duration; there have been
proposals floated to introduce timed local calls, but so far the
Federal Government has not had the courage to introduce it. "Free"
calls exist - they are 008 numbers (like USA 800 numbers). The other
end of the spectrum also exists - don't call 0055 numbers unless you
like paying a timed fee to the service provider - in some cases (time
etc) free alternatives exist. There are various "free" services, such
as Time (1194), News (1199) etc. There are also numbers starting with
"13" - they offer the same number country-wide, and are routed to the
nearest service provider (courier companies, airlines etc). Finally,
a mobile telephone service is accessed via the 015, 018 and 041
prefixes; it is costed at STD rates, but the actual split of
caller/callee paying varies. One more thing - the emergency number is
000; don't abuse it - they know from where the call was placed,
however Caller-ID is not generally available. Cordless telephones are
prohibited imports; they will be confiscated by Customs. Not only are
they not Austel-approved, they are not DoTaC (Dept. of Transport and
Communications) approved either, and they may stomp all over some
frequency assigned to another service. [DH]
As an aside, most 008 numbers are becoming 1800 numbers for the freecall
numbers.
* Modems [summary of responses: AN]
It seems that dial tones are the same these days, so there is no
problem usually with modems working. The thing is (as with phone and
answering machines), are they Austel approved? The fine for plugging
something non-approved into the phone socket is $12,000 apparently!
You have to get an adapter plug for the phone cord (OR wall socket).
You also have to get yet another small power supply to feed you USR
modem 9 volts or 12 or whatever it wants.
[AJ] I have US Robotics Sportster modem I bought while in the US. It
works fine (as will the other US Robotics modems). For the Sportster
at least you can buy a replacement for the external mains transformer
here [AUS] for around $20 (I scavenged mine).
* Currency
The Australian currency is the Australian dollar. The change from
pounds and pence took place in 1966, with the following ditty used
(to the tune of "Click go the Shears") [AW]:
In come the dollars, in come the cents
Out go the pounds and the shillings and the pence
So be prepared when the money starts to mix
On the fourteenth of february nineteen sixty six
Therese Turner (tmturner@bcsc02.gov.bc.ca) remembers the song like this :
In come the dollars in come the cents
to relplace the pounds and the shillings and the pence
change-over day is closer than you think
on the 14th of February 1966'
[My personal feeling, (not from memory, since I was born in 1966) is that
it is actually a bit of a mix of the above two - anyone care to clarify -SW]
Bob Menzies wanted to call the new currency the 'Royal'! Apparently
although dollar is a widely used name and can cause confusion with the
greenback, it does have local (historical) relevance as it was the
name of the first locally produced currency. Another name put forward
was the 'Austral'.
The 1 and 2 cent coins have been removed from circulation, however are
still legal tender. Prices are rounded up or down to the nearest 5
cents (ie 82c -> 80c, 83c -> 85c), although plenty of the larger
retailers round down all the time. All coins have Queen Elizabeth II
on the "heads" side. The image of the Queen used was updated (so that
she now looks old!) a few years ago. Current coins, colour, shape
(round unless stated) and their "tails" side are:
5c: silver, echidna
10c: silver, lyrebird
20c: silver, platypus
50c: silver, 12 sided, coat of arms roo and emu holding shield of
6 state emblems (also commemorative alternatives). The 1966 50c
was round.
$1: gold, 5 kangaroos, also many years had commemorative $1 coins
$2: gold, bearded aboriginal man and southern cross
"silver" is copper nickle alloy.
"gold" is copper aluminium etc alloy.
Coins in order of size are: 5c, $2, 10c, $1, 20c, 50c. The old $1 and
$2 notes were replaced by coins. The other notes are as follows:
new $5: Plastic film purple/grey.
Queen Elizabeth + gum leaves/ view and plan of new parliament house in
Canberra. Hologram(me) of a gum flower over a clear bird in flight.
new $10 plastic film blue/green.
Banjo Paterson, with picture of a horseman, and some of the words to
"The Man from Snowy River". Also the words "Waltzing Matilda" in the top
right corner. Mary Gilmour, with picture of some oxen pulling a wagon.
new $20 plastic film red/green.
Mary Reiby, with picture of ship and building. John Flynn, with picture of
biplane, pedal radio, human silhouette, camel & rider. Reiby was a pioneer
business woman, Flynn formed Royal Flying Doctor Service.
new $50 plastic film yellow/orange.
David Muaipon, with picture of Aboriginal couple, building, and power
shears. Edith Cowan, with picture of building, family group, and woman
at lectern.
new $100 plastic film.
Dame Nellie Melba, with picture of theatre proscenium arch. Sir John
Monash, with picture of cavalrymen behind army badge, cavalry, and
horse artillery.
* Exchange Rates: Exchange rate is roughly AUS $1 = .67 US cents, Y67,
$HK5.01, $S1.03, Ringgit 1.65, $NZ1.17, $Ca0.85, Pound 0.42, FF3.65,
DM1.05, SF0.91, ECU0.55
Source: Asiaweek, September 29th, 1993.
Legend: Y = Japanese Yen, $HK = Hong Kong dollar, $S = Singapore Dollar,
Ringgit = Malaysian currency, $NZ = New Zealand Dollar,
$Ca = Canadian Dollar, Pound = British Pound, FF = French Franc,
DM = Deutschmark, SF = Swiss Franc, ECU = European Currency Unit
(Most newspapers should have more reliable information.)
June 94 update: AUS$1 = ~0.72 US cents.
* The metric system is used. Conversion to the metric system
officially began in 1971 and was officially completed in 1981. It has
been remarkably successful, with even conversational use of metric
measures more the norm than the exception. (See more in Section 12.4 on
Australian language usage)
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