Is it possible in NZ to use this: home automation system?

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Is it possible in NZ to use this: home automation system?

PPAP

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#183637 24-Oct-2015 11:14

Some sort of home network automation setup. The main control hub is directly plugged onto the wall/socket, only it has a very large base. I did't find any wall socket in my house or Bunnings/M10 suitable.

Is it possible to have a wall socket with big flat surface (no switch or switch with large clearance), I don't want to use a powerstrip or extension cable for the hub.

Thanks.

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#1413127 24-Oct-2015 11:17

You used to be able to buy a wall power outlet that did not have a switch (as it was switched elsewhere)

Perhaps feed this information back to the manufacturer and have them put a 'bulge' on the rear of the device to give room for a switch.

You might just have to use a power board.

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Oncop53

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#1413135 24-Oct-2015 11:46

Replace the socket with an unswitched PDL modena?
http://myhome.schneider-electric.com/sites/nz/nz/products/by-function/sockets.page

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#1413139 24-Oct-2015 12:00

Looks interesting - presumably for the Australian market.

Can you give us a link to this MIUI (Me-You-I?) system?

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chevrolux

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#1413147 24-Oct-2015 12:20

PDL 600 series (the standard kind that pretty much all houses have) make a plug that is designed to go under a bench and have a switch located else where. But I guess it could just be wired up as a normal wall plate without a switch.

Rikkitic

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#1413150 24-Oct-2015 12:36

What about just a simple flat multiplier? I use them whenever I encounter one of those stupid extension cords with the recessed connector that only fits a round plug. If you only use one outlet it has the same electrical properties as the power point it is plugged into.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

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#1413155 24-Oct-2015 13:01

Rikkitic: What about just a simple flat multiplier? I use them whenever I encounter one of those stupid extension cords with the recessed connector that only fits a round plug. If you only use one outlet it has the same electrical properties as the power point it is plugged into.

Can you post a picture of what you are referring to?

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#1413159 24-Oct-2015 13:25

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

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PPAP

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#1413193 24-Oct-2015 14:34

Sideface: Looks interesting - presumably for the Australian market.

Can you give us a link to this MIUI (Me-You-I?) system?

It's not on Mi International webshop http://www.mi.com/en/store/ , only the Chinese webshop. It's only available in Chinese market, for now. http://item.mi.com/1150500006.html So the English language interface of the mobile APP might not be good yet.

The start kit consists 1 control hub, 1 remote switch, 1 remote motion sensor and 1 remote door/window sensor, for only 199 CNY. They also have a smart socket which can be used stand alone (through your wifi connected phone) or with the above system, for only 59 CNY.

The good news is the new Chinese national GB2099.3-2008 standard means the new Chinese sockets will be 100% compatible with NZ/AUS standard, at least in terms of size.

raytaylor

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#1414149 26-Oct-2015 21:41

Those pins dont look like they have insulation on them - so I think they may be illegal to import.
The earth pin needs to be longer than the neutral/live pins.
The neutral/live pins must have insulation running down them i think 5mm so that if its not plugged in properly, a metallic object or childs finger cannot touch the bare pin.

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PPAP

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#1414226 26-Oct-2015 23:36

raytaylor: Those pins dont look like they have insulation on them - so I think they may be illegal to import.
The earth pin needs to be longer than the neutral/live pins.
The neutral/live pins must have insulation running down them i think 5mm so that if its not plugged in properly, a metallic object or childs finger cannot touch the bare pin.

No there is none.

So it is legal to do parallel imports but illegal to plug it on? I saw some local shops are selling electronic devices with plugs totally different from NZ/AUS standard.

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#1414227 26-Oct-2015 23:44

Many chinese companies make "NZ/AUS" plugs but I think they are for china where they dont have the insulation requirement on the pins, or they are just trying to be lazy and save costs.

http://www.energysafety.govt.nz/appliances-fittings/electrical-appliances-fittings/core-requirements

"Everyone who manufactures, imports, supplies, retails and trades electrical appliances or fittings in New Zealand must ensure their products comply with New Zealand’s established regulatory framework. This applies whether the appliances or fittings are imported or domestically produced."

Domestic and similar products fitted with a supply lead and plug for supply connection cannot be sold, unless fitted with an appropriate plug for New Zealand

(Note: normally complying with AS/NZS 3112 for products intended to be connected to the majority of domestic socket-outlets, however there are other recognised plug standards for use in specific situations that are also allowed).

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richms

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#1414228 26-Oct-2015 23:52

raytaylor: Okay I asked around and I might be wrong. You might be able to import them but not sell them.
So those shops are liable for some big fines if they are selling appliances that dont have NZ plugs on them - they need to meet the safety standards.

Ive reported places that have failed to provide a SDOC on some really dodgey stuff off trademe, they are still selling them. energy safety are clearly too busy to enforce.

Richard rich.ms

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#1414232 26-Oct-2015 23:57

raytaylor: Okay I asked around and I might be wrong. You might be able to import them but not sell them.
So those shops are liable for some big fines if they are selling appliances that dont have NZ plugs on them - they need to meet the safety standards.

Sure I have no interest to resell them.

I think you brought up a very interesting topic. Some shops, not just webshops, but real ones such as Expert Infortec have been around for a long long time. Most of the parallel imported phones or cameras they are selling come with none NZ plug chargers. What they do is just give you an adapter.

So by doing this they can get rid of the problem? I think they must can as they have been always doing it.

Those are very dangerous adapter as they cannot provide enough physical grip force nor enough contact surface area. Maybe "ok" for low power charger use?

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#1414254 27-Oct-2015 00:21

PPAP:
raytaylor: Okay I asked around and I might be wrong. You might be able to import them but not sell them.
So those shops are liable for some big fines if they are selling appliances that dont have NZ plugs on them - they need to meet the safety standards.

Sure I have no interest to resell them.

I think you brought up a very interesting topic. Some shops, not just webship, but a real one like Expert Infortec has been around for a long long time. Most of the parallel imported phone or camera they are selling come with none NZ plug charger. What they do is just give you a adapter. So by doing this they can get rid of the problem?

Those are very dangerous adapter as they cannot provide enough physical grip force nor enough contact surface area.

They are dangerous because they allow misinsertion of the plug leaving exposed live contacts hanging, or you can stick the earth into the active when the other 2 are hanging off the side of it. There is a reason the legit travel adapters are either recessed or have a huge face on them.

Any portable appliance sold in NZ that is under 10 amps has to come with a AS/NZS3112 compliant plug on it. They are high risk items so will have an aproval number molded into them if they are legit.

In general, its not possible for a power supply with a generic plug adapter to be sold. There are some that have swappable pins that slip over the US pins when they are in a folded state, but they have approval for them with their specific NZ end on it.

If a place is selling a foregn power adapter with a travel plug as an appliance suitable for use in NZ then they might have a visit from energy safety... eventually. Also, most of those places appear clueless when you ask them for a SDOC for things they are selling too.

Richard rich.ms

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#1414255 27-Oct-2015 00:26

Also one of these surfacemounted would do the trick

http://www.bunnings.co.nz/deta-plug-base-10amp-white_p00313156

Richard rich.ms

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