Changing the plug on a UK appliance

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nofam

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#270410 8-May-2020 10:29

Hey guys,

I'm looking at importing a kitchen appliance from the UK, and was wondering what the best option is for using it here (and no, it's not available in NZ). The appliance is 220v / 50Hz, so other than the G-typle plug it should work fine. As I see it, I could either

- Use a pin adapter plug like I do now for phone chargers etc. The appliance is only pulling 170w and will be used in bursts, so there's no high/long loads being drawn
- Get a sparky to lop the plug off and replace with a NZ/AU plug. This would be my preference, but can/will a sparky do this?
- Change the plug myself, which I'm happy to do, but am wondering about the legality of this as per the point above

Thanks!

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shk292

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#2479141 8-May-2020 10:54

Just change it yourself. Those of us who have migrated have done this to many appliances, it's a very easy job provided you know which end of a screwdriver to hold.

Obviously, if you have any doubts, call a sparky.

For info, until about 1990 every appliance sold in UK came without a plug, with the consumer expected to attach one

Senecio

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#2479221 8-May-2020 13:02

A tip for others when I migrated from Ireland to NZ. Not relevant here as its only one appliance but other's may find it useful.

Before I left the UK I bought a number of 4/6/8 point power boards. Once I arrived here I only had to change the one plug on the power board. Even today 3 years later my TV, receiver, Blu Ray etc... still have their UK plugs all plugged into one power board with an NZ plug on the end of it. Probably only changed 6-8 plugs instead of 20 when we emmigrated.