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Updated 19 Apr 2007

Australian 3-Pin Electrical Mains Plug

The domestic mains power supply in Australia is 240V AC, 50Hz. Standard 3-pin earthed power outlets are rated at 10Amps and are usually switched. The 3-flat-pin plug is used in all states of Australia (including its external territories), New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.  Although the configuration is similar to mains plugs used in mainland China, dimensional differences to the plug body may be incompatible with recessed cord socket and prevent Chinese-compliant CPCS/CCC (CCEE) plugs from being legally sold/used in Australia.  Argentina also uses a similar 3-flat-pin configuration as Australia, but with slight dimensional differences and with the active and neutral wires being reversed. These important differences prevent the Argentina-compliant IRAM plugs from being legally sold/used in Australia as incorrect polarity may present an electrical safety hazard.

The Australian mains plug configuration was originally presented as provisional standard C112 in 1937, formalised as Standard C112 in 1938, redesignated AS3112 in 1981 and harmonized with the New Zealand standard and redesignated AS/NZS3112 in 1993.  Australian Standards AS/NZS 3112:2000 and AS/NZS3112:2004 for Australian Mains Plugs now define the requirements for the insulation of the Active and Neutral pins of the plug.  15Amp and 20Amp configurations of the mains plug and outlet are also defined by the standard.

The following diagram shows the Australian plug wiring configuration.

The diagrams below show wiring for an Australian 240V mains cord plug and socket. Note the "reversal" of the Active and Neutral wires depending on whether you are wiring a socket or a plug.

Standard wire colors are:

Older flex and premises wiring will use the following colors: