[bumpffslam]

Several people have written that NZ plugs are fiddly to wire, but there are different brands. Here's a photo of 2 different versions of the common "side entry".

On the left is the brand "Elto" as sold in supermarkets and DIY sheds. This is indeed very fiddly - specifically it's very difficult to get the wire to stay under the plate as you tighten the screw. The best tip here is to insert the wire in the same direction as the screw tightening action and keep it close to the screw.

On the right is the "PDL" version (black or white) that is available from Mastertrade and other electrical suppliers. With these you simply twist braids at the end of the wire, stick it in the hole and tighten the screw on the side - easy. A bit more expensive but you'll find them quicker and I think safer to wire.

Note these are 10Amp plugs. No fuse is used as there are circuit breakers and earth leakage trips on the distribution board.

[martinp]

Brilliant info, thanks for that.

[Super_BQ]

You'll find that you can buy 6 Elto brand plugs for 1 PDL or HPM plug. IMO PDL and HPM are really charging a premium when all the components are made in China.

As long as they meet NZ safety codes, who cares how fiddly they are...

How about some decent light switches that don't go TICK TOCK? The silent big swivel switches in America are far easier to use and more positive to the hand than the using the tips of your finger to flick switches.

[Leccy-Lee]

Even as an Electrician myself it amazes me that plugs dont have fuses in, as all countries (UK Inc) have breakers and trips etc at the fuseboards, but an extra fuse within the plugs help for convience of not tripping a circuit out.

Oh well, these things i need to get used to if i am to work here as a sparky!

[zardell]

Bumpffslam - what an excellent post...................:clap

When we first arrived here in NZ, my hubby tried to change a plug for me on my hairdryer.

After the obligatory time allocated to the male of the species that 'Will Not Be Beaten' had passed, he promptly cursed, threw it in the bin, went out and bought the PDL's.

Good advice Bumpffslam.

When you first arrive, things are stressful enough without being made to feel a complete numpty 'cos you can't change a plug !!

Julie

xx

[thirtysomethings]

Hi guys just to confirm :

You can purchase and fit your own plugs in NZ?

Had a visit from a Removal Company and were told that unless you had proof as an electrical tradesmen you could not purchase plugs !

This appears duff information please advise

with thanks

[martinp]

As you can see from the messages, you can purchase plugs everywhere.

[zardell]

Hi guys just to confirm :

You can purchase and fit your own plugs in NZ?


Had a visit from a Removal Company and were told that unless you had proof as an electrical tradesmen you could not purchase plugs !

This appears duff information please advise

with thanks



Yes, of course you can change your own plugs, however, having said that when we went to buy some, we asked an assistant in the DIY store where we would find them and he took us to the wall sockets..........maybe a loss in translation eh??

Julie

xx

[pinkpiggy]

Absolutely you can change your own plugs. If I can do it then anyone can. :roll

[thirtysomethings]

Splendid thanks for clearing that up :)

I was somewhat perplexed but the removals consultant was adamant !

Now Im wondering whether I can source some in the UK
Buy some extensions with extra sockets and get myself sorted prior to removals

If and when we get the green light and get over to NZ my priority will be the corkscrew to open the wine :)

[Nathan]

Had a visit from a Removal Company and were told that unless you had proof as an electrical tradesmen you could not purchase plugs !


How many expletives does this deserve?!!:mad:
Why do people make this up?

I'm really appreciative of all of you who so freely give your time and share your experience to make it easier for those of us who are still 'in progress'. Thanks!:cheers

[barryp]

Amazing, that FUD. Had I not purchased replacement plugs off the rack at Dick Smith Electronics, I would have given that nonsense some credence.

Thanks much for the original tip - I place a priority on ease of use.

[IanW99]

Just like to add that when we first arrived, we went through a selection of different plugs trying to find some 'decent' ones.

We settled on HPM made side entry 10A plugs (Cat D106/1GY) sold at places such as Bunnings Wharehouse and would definitely recommend them.

Ian

[thepiesleys]

I changed the plugs on all our electrical items, purchased the plugs from the warehouse, If I can do it then believe me anyone can.

Dan

[diforsyth]

...the brand "Elto" as sold in supermarkets and DIY sheds. This is indeed very fiddly - specifically it's very difficult to get the wire to stay under the plate as you tighten the screw. The best tip here is to insert the wire in the same direction as the screw tightening action and keep it close to the screw.

With the fiddly, cheap plugs, I found that if you knock the pins back into the plug (gently with a hammer) it raises the screw clamp above the plastic side making it very easy to connect. Make sure your push the pins back after connecting wire.

David.

[dharder]

Now Im wondering whether I can source some in the UK
Buy some extensions with extra sockets and get myself sorted prior to removals

One of the people we had in for a shipping quote told us they throw in the plugs for 'free' so you have some to start you off over there.

Daniela

[Jo Jo]

Oh, I'm so glad I found this thread. I just spent far longer than necessary trying to rewire a plug, and was swearing because it had plates and not little holes. Now I know why...

[BigRod]

OK,

Just to clear things up with some of the rumours, practical experience and the regs.

1. A householder is entitled to change plugs and replace other existing fittings for non-commercial use.
2. Electrical registration is *required* for all fixed wiring installation (residential and commercial) - although a non-registered person can lay the cables and fit sockets to 'dead' wiring, it can only be connected to mains supply by someone suitably registered.
3. All business and commercial wiring can only be carried out by someone with electrical registration. (So the removal company could'nt legally change the plugs for you)
4. Many of the cheap supermarket / trademe fittings do not meet the same standards as good quality fittings (HPM and PDL are good quality fittings that meet the AS/NZS standards and are generally easier to use and fit)
5. In rental properties all supplied electrical appliances must be tested every two years by someone holding electrical registration and certificated / tagged. (See AS/NZS 3760)

.... So as a householder you can change plugs and certain fittings, however the EWRB regulations and the Act still apply. If an accident occurs due to incorrect / unsafe fitment then you may find it is brought to the attention of the EWRB and you personally face a fine of $10,000. The long and short is; make sure that you know what you are doing and ensure it is done correctly!

Rod

[Leccy-Lee]

Rod you sound like me, you didnt just do the Regs exam on Saturday did you? LOL
I have had enough of Elec Act, Regs and NZS 3000 in the last week to last me a lifetime!

Just got to wait 4-6 weeks now to get my results, arghh!

[BigRod]

Rod you sound like me, you didnt just do the Regs exam on Saturday did you? LOL
I have had enough of Elec Act, Regs and NZS 3000 in the last week to last me a lifetime!

Just got to wait 4-6 weeks now to get my results, arghh!Nope I did mine before (but only got 97%:D ), but if you did it at Weltec then a couple of our technicians were with you!

Rod

[Leccy-Lee]

Ah cool, i think i did ok.. Although its nasty when you get out room and loads people got different answers, now i have doubts :(

Yes it was at Weltec, drop me a PM.. In fact i got stage 3 practical this week and terrified of the motors (havent been near one in 15yrs!) Drop me a PM if you got any advice mate.

[Dom]

can someone (prob one of you sparky-types) tell me if its safe to plug my kettle and a few other things into a 4-gang socket adapter bought here in the UK and then plug it into a NZ socket (via a travel adapter) ? I'm sure I read on some post somewhere that someone said not to use a kettle/toaster etc in these 4 socket adapters ...

If not, why not ?

cheers

[IanW99]

can someone (prob one of you sparky-types) tell me if its safe to plug my kettle and a few other things into a 4-gang socket adapter bought here in the UK and then plug it into a NZ socket (via a travel adapter) ? I'm sure I read on some post somewhere that someone said not to use a kettle/toaster etc in these 4 socket adapters ...

If not, why not ?

cheers

The answer comes down to the rating of the travel adapter and the power of the Kettle etc.

You need to check that the total power used by all the appliances plugged into the 4 way sockets is less than 2400W (or 10A) regardless of if you use a NZ plug or a travel adapter.

If you want to use a travel adapter then you need to confirm that this can also handle at least the amount of power that you are drawing through it.

So for example, if you fully load the 4 way sockets with a 10A load your travel adapter will also need to handle 10A. If it can't handle this amount then you need to reduce your load to match.

Many travel adapters from the UK are only rated at 7.5A so maximum load would be 1800W which is less that most kettles, which is why it isn't recommended.

It should also be noted that most Kettles from the UK probably shouldn't be used at all in NZ anyway as they draw too much current.

Ian

[Leccy-Lee]

Ian has summed it up very nicely, i concur.... :)

[PeteS]

can someone (prob one of you sparky-types) tell me if its safe to plug my kettle and a few other things into a 4-gang socket adapter bought here in the UK and then plug it into a NZ socket (via a travel adapter) ? I'm sure I read on some post somewhere that someone said not to use a kettle/toaster etc in these 4 socket adapters ...

If not, why not ?

cheers

This issue about plugs on appliances does seem to cause some "confusion"....

My little sister was told by the removal company that they had to cut off all the British style plugs from appliances or they couldn't be shipped. You can buy UK style plugs and sockets out here, they are just as expensive as, eh.

When we came out here, we didn't cut any plugs off, I just bought with me several 4 way adaptors and fitted them with a Kiwi plug, and then plugged all my UK stuff into the adaptor! This works great for low current items like phone chargers which don't have a plug you can change. All my computers still have UK leads on them, are run via the same 4 way adaptors that I bought out with me. High current items like kettles, washing machines, toasters, etc., needed changing because of the current limitations on the basic Kiwi power point. 10 amps or 2200w or 2.2kW is the limit.

Someone stated earlier that Kiwi house wiring is protected by an MCB / RCD system. This would only be the case in new houses or old ones that have been rewired. In general, you will find Kiwi db's with no RCD's and with rewireable fuses.

[IanW99]

Someone stated earlier that Kiwi house wiring is protected by an MCB / RCD system. This would only be the case in new houses or old ones that have been rewired. In general, you will find Kiwi db's with no RCD's and with rewireable fuses.

Guess you were thinking about my comments on another thread?


...
Our electrical supply is protected by Residual Current Detection instead of fuses - don't know if this is normal though?
...


If so, I was only quoting our specific circumstances, thank you for answering my question, so it is normal in new houses but not in older ones.

I'm a little confused by your answer regarding maximum power being 2200W or 2.2kW, from what I know it is 2400W or 2.4kW.

Ian

[PeteS]

I'm a little confused by your answer regarding maximum power being 2200W or 2.2kW, from what I know it is 2400W or 2.4kW.

As you know, it all depends upon the voltage..... + or - 6%. But in any case it's 10 amps. So that would be 2162 to 2438 watts @ 230v, or 2256 to 2544 watts @ 240v. So 2200 is a nice conservative guesstimate. And I have worked on rural installations in NZ with under 220v on the incomer under no load conditions. And no, the power board won't do anything about it.

Best

Pete

[Leccy-Lee]

Yup as Pete has said the maximum safe wattage would be 2200w taking into account possible volt drops. Not only the volt drop at the incoming supply of your home, but when you add "hypothetically" another 50m+ of circuit cable inside your home, the voltage could drop by another 2-3v so when you get to your socket-outlet in the farthest room it could be as love as 220v (in theory). So as a safe figure it is always best to work on a maximum power for a 10A socket as 2200w or 2.2kw. And nothing can be done about volt-drop its one of electricity's little quirks! The longer a piece of cable and its size the lower voltage the other end of the cable.

The voltage in NZ is not 240v, in fact it hasn't even been 240v in the UK for some years, they lowered it to 230v some years back, which a lot of people dont realise.

[PeteS]

The voltage in NZ is not 240v, in fact it hasn't even been 240v in the UK for some years, they lowered it to 230v some years back, which a lot of people dont realise.

Like the wiring colours in the UK, it's all due to EU "Harmonisation"..... Now, why did I leave the UK......

Meanwhile, back at the thread,

Best

Pete

[Dom]

So I presume things like my wife's hairdryer (which I think needs about the same amount of power as a snall town) and washing machine/microwave I should replace the plugs with a kiwi one ?

And for all my PC stuff - printer/monitor/sound amp and my hifi etc i should be ok with these 4 way adapters ...

[PeteS]

So I presume things like my wife's hairdryer (which I think needs about the same amount of power as a snall town) and washing machine/microwave I should replace the plugs with a kiwi one ?

And for all my PC stuff - printer/monitor/sound amp and my hifi etc i should be ok with these 4 way adapters ...

That's about right.

I changed as many as I could to the bendy pin unfused Kiwi ones, but all the PC stuff, and things like phone chargers are still as they were.