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wainwright
Joined: 15 Jul 2008
Posts: 7
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 Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 2:49 pm Post subject: Electricity |
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| I wonder if I need to bring a plug adapter with me to Saudi? I've seen a lot of quite different information on the web. I'm coming from the UK. Should I get a US 2 or 3 pronged adaptor? I'm going to be in Dhahran, in case that makes any difference. Any suggestions appreciated! |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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Van Gogh
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
Posts: 71
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| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 12:09 pm Post subject: |
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| The main socket design in the compounds is two flat pins (vertical) with a round pin below. Saudi sockets are often put in upside down, in which case the main socket design in the compounds is a round pin with two flat pins below. Eveything you need and buy local, comes with two round pins so the adverage Saudi wall socket is a serious potential fire risk. Welcome to the Happy Kingdom! |
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007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 2:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Van Gogh wrote: |
| The main socket design in the compounds is two flat pins (vertical) with a round pin below. |
Well, the above one is an American style wall socket, these usually are 110V!.
Most of the compounds in the Magic Kingdom are built according to American standards, from electrical sockets to toilet seats!
| Quote: |
| Saudi sockets are often put in upside down, in which case the main socket design in the compounds is a round pin with two flat pins below. |
Must be Chinese!
Well, from tehnical point of view, it does not matter if the two pins are above or below, just plug your electrical appliances according to the configuration in the wall. The most important thing is to check that you are using the correct voltage and number of HZ (220V vs 110V with 50/60 HZ). The third rounded pin (above or below is the earth connection).
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| Eveything you need and buy local, comes with two round pins so the adverage Saudi wall socket is a serious potential fire risk. Welcome to the Happy Kingdom! |
Well, in this case, you need to buy an adaptor to be used with rounded pins (European/Chinese) plugs with wall flat pins sockets!
And do not forget to buy an American extinguisher in case of a fire, because the Chinese ones do not usually work with a fire caused by an American electrical socket!  |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:25 am Post subject: |
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One sign that you've been in KSA for more than a few weeks is a drawer full of just about every type of plug adapter/converter/extension cord imaginable.
Many of the frustrations which are part of life in KSA are well known and often discussed on this board. However, one of the most irritating little nuisances regarding life here is the fact that, for some bizarre reason, most plug outlets in most homes are set up for 110v. However, I would guess that at least 80% of the electrical appliances available in the shops are 220v. This is where the drawer full of plug adapters/converters/extension cords come into play.
I have heard that newer buildings are now being fitted with 220v as a matter of course. For most of us, however, plugging something into the socket remains an often complex issue. |
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