Travel Adapter South Africa

Travel Adapter South Africa - Ensures charging on your trip to Southern Africa

Here on the site, you will find our selection of travel adapters for South Africa.

Are you going to South Africa? Then it’s a good idea to look at adapters that fit so you have access to a charged phone, a computer with power, or similar.

In South Africa, the plugs and sockets are of type D, M, and N.

• Type D: used mainly in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and some African countries. This socket only works with plug D.
• Type M: resembles plug D but with larger pins. This socket only works with plug M.
• Type N: used in Brazil and South Africa. This socket also works with plug C.

In South Africa, the standard voltage is 230 V, and the frequency is 50 Hz.

You can use your electrical appliances in South Africa if the standard voltage in your country is between 220 - 240 V (like in the UK, Europe, Australia, and most of Asia and Africa); manufacturers account for these small deviations.

If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 100 V - 127 V (as it is in the USA, Canada, and most South American countries), you will need a voltage converter in South Africa.

You may also consider a combined power plug adapter/voltage converter.

If the frequency in South Africa (50 Hz) differs from that in your country, it is recommended to avoid using your appliances; if there is no voltage difference, you may (at your own risk) try to use the device for a short time.

Be particularly careful with portable, rotating, and time-related devices such as watches, razors, or electric heaters.

To be safe, check the label on the device; some devices never require a converter.

If the label indicates INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz the device can be used in all countries around the world.

This is common for chargers for tablets/laptops, cameras, mobile phones, toothbrushes, etc.

4 things you should consider when looking at travel adapters for South Africa

The type of power adapter, converter, or charger you will need when visiting South Africa depends entirely on ​​the voltage and type of ​​device you are trying to use with a South African socket.

Certain areas of South Africa do not have access to electricity and suffer from frequent power outages.

Therefore, it is always recommended that you pack a portable charger if you want to keep your mobile phone's battery charged while you are in an area without access to electricity or during a power outage.

If you plan to travel to South Africa from the USA, you will need a suitable power adapter for South Africa to plug an American plug into a South African socket.

Since the voltage is different in South Africa, you should bring a power transformer if your device does not have dual voltage, and check that it works with a 50 Hz socket.

If your device can run on 230 volts or is dual voltage, and the plug fits into a South African socket, you can use it in South Africa.

If your device is at 230 volts or has dual voltage, but your plug does not fit into a South African socket, you will need a suitable plug adapter for South Africa, such as a type M plug adapter.

A plug adapter for South Africa (or power adapter) changes the shape of the plug on your device so that it fits into a socket found in South Africa, but does not change the voltage from 230 volts for use with a different voltage.

If your device cannot run on 230 volts and is not dual voltage, you will also need a power converter for South Africa to convert the voltage from 230 volts to the correct voltage for your device.

You should still pack a suitable plug adapter for South Africa if the power converter does not include the correct Type M plug adapter.

If you only need to power USB devices such as tablets or mobile phones, a USB travel power adapter is suitable, and it will work with any voltage, but make sure you choose a USB travel adapter that includes a Type M plug adapter; otherwise, you will also need to bring a suitable plug adapter for South Africa.

#1 - Voltage converters and transformers

Electrical supply on a global scale can vary from anything between 100V and 240V.

It can be extremely dangerous to use an electric appliance that is rated for a voltage different from the supply.

Since voltage can vary from country to country, you may need a voltage converter or transformer while you are in South Africa.

If the frequency is different, the normal operation of an electric appliance may also be affected; for example, a 50Hz clock can run faster on a 60Hz power supply.

Most voltage converters and transformers come with plug adapters, so you may not need to buy a separate travel adapter.

All converters and transformers will have a maximum rated power (AMPS or WATTS), so make sure that any appliance you intend to use does not exceed this value.

#2 - Dual voltage rated appliances

You can determine whether you need a converter or transformer by looking at the appliance's nameplate.

An appliance with dual voltage will, for example, display INPUT: 110-240V on the body of the appliance or its power supply.

This means that you do not need a converter or transformer, just a travel adapter because South Africa runs on a 230V supply voltage, which is within the 110-240V range that the dual voltage appliance operates on.

#3 - Single voltage rated appliances

In South Africa, the supply voltage is 230V; if the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it must operate at the same voltage as the country's supply voltage, i.e., 230V.

If this is not the case, it must be used with a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to function safely and correctly.

Converters and transformers perform a similar function, but their applications are different.

Converters are typically used with appliances that operate for a short duration (1-2 hours), while most transformers can be used with appliances that run continuously.

It is important to understand that some travel adapters are not suitable for appliances that require a ground connection.

#4 - The different types of adapters

There are currently several different types of plugs around the world, and almost all of them are seen as common.

Single-region travel adapters

Single-region travel adapters are for many the most straightforward option.

In addition to specifically selected countries, single-region travel adapters can also be used in countries that all use similar sockets and voltages.

Although these models are usually the cheapest solution, it is often also worth remembering that your future flexibility may be limited by your choice of a single-region travel adapter.

Variations on single-region travel adapters include multi-way models (that provide the option to connect multiple devices simultaneously) and the possibility of pairing a one-way single-region adapter with a multi-socket extension cord for multiple devices or increased demand.

Multi-region travel adapters

If, on the other hand, you want greater versatility, you can choose an adapter for multiple countries or regions instead.

These are often either larger or more complex devices, with different pins for different sockets; fundamentally, they are designed to accommodate multiple national standards for plug and socket arrangements simultaneously.

The most common types of multi-region travel adapters tend to handle a combination of European, Asian, British, and North American standards; multi-region versions can be single or multi-way to fit your requirements.

Universal travel adapters

Universal travel adapters are generally the most flexible option, as they are suitable for almost any country around the world.

However, it would benefit you to be aware that this flexibility also comes with added size, especially if you compare it with the smaller single and multi-region models.

Therefore, while the extra functionality that the universal travel adapter offers can be a real bonus, the size of universal travel adapters can make them less convenient and harder to carry.

It is also worth noting that in less stable socket types (such as the American two-prong), this extra weight can make them feel less securely fastened in the socket.

Moreover, the larger the universal travel adapter is, the greater the chance that it can block adjacent sockets or not fit certain layouts.